Biography

Contact information:
Larry Cordle - (615) 830-4765
mightycord@gmail.com


Click here to go to Larry Cordle - Give Me Jesus

Click here to go to Larry Cordle - Pud Marcum's Hangin'

Click here to go to Larry Cordle - Demo Sessions

Click here to go to APD's Global Radio Showcase Volume 2 - Bluegrass

Click here for APD's Global Radio Showcase Volume 4 - All Things Country

Click here for APD's Global Radio Showcase Volume 5 - Americana Unlimited

LONESOME SKYNYRD TIME featuring
LARRY CORDLE & LST

A Bluegrass Tribute to Lynyrd Skynyrd

One is rock 'n' roll giant. The other is a bluegrass powerhouse. Both make music for the ages. CMH Records, proudly presents Lonesome Skynyrd Time featuring Larry Cordle and Lonesome Standard Time. In the hands of this award winning bluegrass band, Skynyrd classics such as "Sweet Home Alabama" and "Gimme Three Steps" are passionately redefined. Lightning fast picking and smoldering bluegrass vocals go right to the country heart of Skynyrd's great songs, and the result is a powerful homage to the endurance and influence of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Southern fried sound.

THE BAND:
Larry Cordle - Lead Vocals, Rhythm Guitar, Harmony Guitars, Backvocals
Booie Beach - Lead Guitars
Kim Gardner - Dobro
David Talbot - Banjo
Andy Leftwitch - Mandolin
David Pomeroy - Bass
Tom Roady - Percussion
Jenee Keener - Fiddle
Mark Howard - Vibra-slap
Carol Chase - Backvocals
Kim Morrison - Backvocals
Terry Eldridge - Backvocals
David Talbot - Backvocals

Produced by: Larry Cordle for Ripcord Productions, Hendersonville, TN
Recorded & Mixed by: Mark Howard @ Signal Path Studios, Nashville TN
Digital Editing: Luke Wooten @Station West Studio, Nashville, TN
Cover Photograph: Jim 'Senor' McGuire, Nashville, TN
Andy Leftwitch appears courtesy of Kaggs Family Records Hendersonville, TN
Dave Pomeroy appears courtesy of Earwax Records Nashville, TN

Mastered by: Americana Mastering
Cover Design by: Adam Byrne
Photography and Layout by: Toni Wells
Production Coordinator: Lee Leftridge

This project is dedicated to the memory of Ronnie Van Zant, Allen Collins, Steve Gaines, Leon Wilkerson and Dean Kilpatrick...Fly on freeboards. - LST '04


1. SOUTHERN BY THE GRACE OF GOD - (3:23)

Songwriters: Larry Cordle, Larry Shell
Publishing & PRO: Wanda chord Music / Americana Music Publishing / A Toad In Cowboy Clothes (BMI)

This song was written by my old friend and longtime songwriting cohort Larry Shell and myself as sort of a chronicle of this band's life. I hope we got it right for the "Skynyrd" guys cause we certainly have a ton of respect for them and the things they accomplished. Obviously, we were writing it from the outside tolling in, so if there happens to be some creative license taken here, well, we tried to get the story right as we saw it. ~ Larry Cordle


2. SATURDAY NIGHT SPECIAL - (4:35) (Featured ADP Showcase Vol 4 Track)

Songwriters: E. King, R. Van Zant
Publishing & PRO:Universal-Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)

The first and maybe only southern rock gun control song. This song was way ahead of its time and although not a commercially big song for Skynyrd, I just always loved the complexity of the arrangement. Lemme tell you this thing was hard to do with these instruments, but we stuck it out and I love this track, maybe more than any on this disc. I especially love the arrangement shifts & the girls (Carol & Kim;s) great backing vocals. Love that soprano thingy Kim does at the end, real witchy sounding in my opinion. - Larry Cordle


3. CALL ME THE BREEZE - (3:58) (Featured APD Showcase Vol 2 Track)

Songwriter: J.J. Cale
Publishing & PRO: Johnny Bienstock Music Company (BMI)

This song is an old J. J. Cale number that was recorded by Skynyrd for their "Second Helping" album, and has always been a big concert number for them. Add to the fact it was part of my regular repertoire when I was still playing club gigs in the 80's and it was just a natural choice to record here. Although J.J.'s version was extremely laid back (and great I might add) and the "Skynyrd" guys had it extremely rocking' (and great too!! especially Gary's guitar solo), it really lent itself more to a bluegrass fell than perhaps any of the other songs that we recorded for this project. - Larry Cordle


4. SWEET HOME ALABAMA - (6:38)

Songwriters: R. Van Zant, G. Rossingen, E. King
Publishing & PRO: Universal-Duchess Music Corp. (BMI) / Universal-On Backstreet Music (ASCAP)

No Skynyrd package could be done without including this, easily their most recognizable number and I believe their biggest hit. This again was a song that I had performed many times with club bands I worked with in the 80's. From Booie's opening notes, (of Ed King's famous opening riff and I even kept Ronnie's turn-it-up) this thing really took off for us. The playing is brilliant on this cut, and I was even lucky enough to score Carol Chase (who is an old friend & back vocalist for the Skynyrd band now) and Kim Morrison (who sang on the original demo of Sweet Home Alabama) to do the back vocals. We extended the solo's more here & just had fun with it. The thing I love about this is after the opening riff everyone is yelling'... the fans know it so well... original version was on "Pronounced 'Leh-nerd Skin-nerd'". - Larry Cordle


5. THINGS GOIN ON - (3:59)

Songwriters: R. Van Zant, G. Rossingen
Publishing & PRO: Universal-Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)

Also from "Pronounced 'Leh-nerd Skin-nerd", this is a more obscure tune except for hardcore Skynyrd fans. I just love the feel of this thing, the bluesyness and the way the feel changes. I guess I just generally like the arrangement. This song was obviously an indictment of politicians. I guess that's another reason I like it. Why can't they just say what they mean? - Larry Cordle


6. TUESDAY'S GONE - (7:32)

Songwriters: A. Collins, R. Van Zant
Publishing & PRO: Universal-Duchess Music Corp. / Get Loose Music Inc. (BMI)

The Blues at it's best, a man singing' bout his woman done gone. People been singing' 'em for decades and this was my favorite ballad that the guys did from the first album they released. - Larry Cordle


7. I KNOW A LITTLE - (3:38)

Songwriter: S. Gaines
Publishing & PRO: Universal-Duchess Music Corp. / Get Loose Music Inc. (BMI)

"Street Survivors", before the plane crash that took Steve, Ronnie, Steve's sister Cassie & road manager Dean Kilpatrick's lives. Steve was a genius in my opinion and fit in so well with these guys after Ed King's departure, his songwriting, playing and singing were exceptional. As far as our version goes, the sort of swingy intro thing here was Andy's idea and I liked it immediately with the players shaping eights till it kicks into high gear. I do believe the song's meaning is self explanatory!?!?!?! - Larry Cordle


8. THE BALLAD OF CURTIS LOEW - (4:41)

Songwriters: A. Collins, R. Van Zant
Publishing & PRO: Universal-Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)

I always loved this song. It reminds me so much of Tom T. Hall's "The Year Clayton Delaney Died". Not in that they sound alike or nothin' like that, just the sentiment here. In my mind I've always said, "well that's Skynyrd's Clayton Delaney". I just love where this song comes from, story has it he (Curtis) was a black country store owner who used to redeem returnable soda bottles that some of the guys in the band picked up for some change and he would play them some guitar while they were there. I reckon the guys never forgot it and later immortalized him in song, pretty cool huh? - Larry Cordle


9. GIMME THREE STEPS - (4:27)

Songwriters: A. Collins, R. Van Zant
Publishing & PRO: Universal-Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)

Another one of those club staple songs that I used to play a lot in the 80's. This song is a tongue-in-cheek plea from the rockers point of view when obviously confronted by some young ladies man who he didn't know (or did he?) existed until the moment he almost gets his brains shot out. We all got these stories, at least any of us who have played clubs for a living. I got to play the intro on this one (A blast from the past for me!) on a Gibson resophonic guitar that a Gibson folks gave Booie and myself, which we used a lot on this CD. - Larry Cordle


10. THE HOUSE A THE END OF THE ROAD - 3:44

Songwriters: R. Killough, L. T. Wilson
Publishing & PRO: Pier Five Music Inc. (BMI)

The song never appeared on a Lynyrd Skynyrd album and I doubt if any of the Skynyrd guys ever heard it. It was written by two great friends of mine who are wonderful writers and musicians, Rock Killough & Larry T. Wilson from the Dixie Flyers band, based out of Gulf Shores, AL. Being somewhat knowledgeable about the Skynyrd guys history, I just felt like this song fit well with their story. I don't really know for sure if it does or not, but who of us who do this for a living haven't longed for the innocence of youth and a house to go to at the end of the road. - Larry Cordle


11. FREE BIRD - (8:47)
A. Collins, R. Van Zant
Universal-Duchess Music Corp. (BMI)

The ultimate Skynyrd anthem, one I often have heard them dedicate in concert to the memory of another of my hero's, Duane Allman. One could not do a Skynyrd tribute without having this concert standard on the disc. This cut really gives the guys and girls in our band a chance to shine, and shine they do. I really never understood how complicated these arrangements were till I started compiling the material for this CD and started stripping away the layers of stuff they had in their arrangements. A real eye opener for me. This cut (and Skynyrd's ) is real Jam band stuff before the term was popular. - Larry Cordle


LARRY CORDLE & LONESOME STANDARD TIME SPECIAL THANKS: Wanda & Kelvey Cordle... I love you girls, Dad. Mom & Dad (Charles & ChristineCordle) I love you too! James and Martha Rhorer, Larry Shell, Carl Jackson, Kelly Robinson, Lee & Caitlin Beach, Dottie Beach, Bud and Mary Eldridge, Bob Moore, Lester and Sandra Armistead, Lynn & Linda Shanks, Myrna Talbot, Frank Neat, Todd Wright, Danny Roberts and Charlie Darrington of the Gibson factory @ Opry Mills Nashville, TN, The Black Diamond Strings company, Bo McCarty, Sam and Pat Jackson, J. T. Gray and the Station Inn staff Nashville, TN, Dave Pomeroy (a true session leader if there ever was one)... we couldn't have done this without you pal. Tom Roady... you glued it together for us buddy. Bob Fehr @ Martin Suitars.=, Jerry Salley, Shell Point Records, Randy, Jessica, Sam and baby to be named Harrell... thanks for all the hard work dude... Jim Rushing... Curtis McPeake, Art Groomes, Lisa Arnett... thanks for all your hard work I love you kiddo! Ann Soyars, David Wadsworth Eiphopne Guitars, Bill Bowman and Terri... still love them peaches man! Tiny and Brother Dave from the Down Home in Johnson City, TN, Geri Windstorm, Alfred Williams and Company, the hard working folks at radio who have been so supportive of our previous works. Dan Hay, Jill Snider and all the IBMA staff. And lastly, but certainly not lastly our loyal fans who stick by us through thick & thin, we love y'all... Happy Trails! - LST '04

LARRY CORDLE BIOGRAPHY

Larry Cordle was born and raised on a small family farm in eastern Kentucky. While a young child he was introduced to bluegrass, country, and gospel music, by his great grandfather Harry Bryant, an old time claw hammer banjo stylist, fiddle player and dancer. He recounts, “mom said I could sing “I’ll Fly Away”, all the way through when I was 2”! Cordle fondly remembers this early influence by pointing out, “we lived so far away from everything, that we had to make our own entertainment. Papaw would get the fiddle out in the evenings sometimes and play and dance for us. Just as soon as I was old enough to try to learn to play I did so & kinda seconded after him on the guitar.

He ran an old country store and I spent many happy hours in there with him playing, talking about and listening to music. It was our escape into another world, something we grew up with and looked so forward to. I was always happiest when we were in a jam session”.

After graduating from high school, Larry spent four years in the Navy and after being honorably discharged, attended Morehead State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting. “I just didn’t see how I could ever make a living doing only music,” he explains, so, I worked for a CPA firm during the day and played in clubs at night”. All the while, Larry desperately wanted to devote all of his time to music, but his commitments would remain divided, until writing a song, that changed everything for the aspiring young singer/songwriter.

East Kentucky was not only home for Larry, but also for his childhood friend and neighbor, musical prodigy, Ricky Skaggs. Upon hearing Larry’s new song, “Highway 40 Blues”, Ricky promised that he would one day record it. In the summer of 1983, it was the number one song in the nation, helping to launch Larry’s songwriting career and skyrocketing Skaggs’ already solid country music career.

In 1985, at Ricky’s urging, Larry, by now out of the accounting business and back playing nightclubs again, gave up the security of a full time gig to move to Nashville and become a staff songwriter for Ricky’s new company, Amanda-Lin Music, with whom he (Ricky) had wisely partnered, with Lawrence Welk’s mega successful publishing company, Welk Music. “$200 bucks a week Cord laughs, that wouldn’t go far these days but I made myself a promise that if I ever got a chance, one foot inside the door, that I was gonna work my behind off, as hard as I could to stay inside of it. I met people there at Welk… Jim Rushing, Carl Jackson, Lionel Delmore, Johnny Russell, Dickey Lee, Bob McDill, countless others, and learned what it was gonna take to be a ‘real’ songwriter from them.
They taught me the ropes and I had the talent God gave me, some incredible luck and much love, help and encouragement from my peers and my family.

At last count, Cordle’s songs had appeared on projects that had to date sold a combined total of more than 55 million records, by artists such as Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, Trace Adkins and many others.

Though songwriting took Larry to Nashville, his desire to perform never waned. With his band, Lonesome Standard Time, Cordle has the perfect platform to share his music with fans everywhere. The band has been awarded song of the year by the International Bluegrass Music Association on two separate occasions, garnered two Grammy nominations for best bluegrass album, received nominations for vocal group and instrumental group, landed #1 slots on the Bluegrass and Americana charts and gained the respect of their peers and had many accolades during their existence.

Lonesome Standard Time is comprised of seasoned, esteemed musicians in their own right, providing Larry with an outlet to feature his original material, trademark singing and his engaging personality, immediately connecting fans to his music.

In addition to his songwriting and role as a bandleader, Cordle is sometimes featured as a lead and/or background vocalist on some of Nashville’s most awarded and popular music. He’s provided harmony vocals for artists such as Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Bradley Walker, Billy Yates, Rebecca Lynn Howard and co-writing pal, Jerry Salley. His lead & harmony singing is featured on Livin, Lovin, Losin: A Tribute to the Louvin Brothers, which won a GRAMMY for Best Country Album in 2003 and was named recorded event of the year by IBMA in 2004. He’s also featured on two tracks of Moody Bluegrass, alongside artists such as Tim O’Brien, Alison Krauss, John Cowan, Harley Allen et al and is recently featured as lead vocalist again on Moody Bluegrass II.

Cord remains extremely active in all facets of his career. He regularly records, and tours in the US and occasionally abroad with Lonesome Standard Time. Larry is also still first and foremost a songwriter, now writing independently for his own company, Wandachord Music, BMI.

Larry is a long time resident of Nashville suburb, Hendersonville, Tennessee. He makes his home there with wife Wanda, and their daughter, Kelvey Christine but still enjoys the opportunity to make frequent trips back to his East Kentucky home place and his roots.