Biography

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


Click here to go to Larry Cordle & LST - Lonesome Skynyrd Time

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

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I had been intending on making an 'all Gospel' CD for a long time. It seemed like something else always came along, that I  thought I just 'had' to do. My Dad had been encouraging me for a long time to record a Gospel CD.  Finally, I thought I had the right mix of new songs + a couple of my most requested pieces from previous recordings & two or three old gems, that I knew my parents had both loved so well.

I'm a Christian and I wanted my fans, to hear that testimony in the music I made on this CD. "When I come to die, Give me Jesus" says it all to me. It has been a great blessing in my life.

Recording this CD with my friends accompanying me was just a great, uplifting, spiritual experience for me. I think the proof is in the music.

Unfortunately, I lost my Dad on June 2, 2015. My mom had previously gone on to be with the Lord Jesus in May, of 2006. It is regrettable and a bitter disappointment to me, that I never got to this, my most important recording to date, while they were here with me. They were my lifelong biggest fans & to this day remain, my biggest 'human' inspiration.  ~ Larry Cordle

All tracks recorded by Clay Hess @ 7 Flat Studio
624 Shaker Run Rd
Peebles, OH 45660
All vocal recording, digital editing, mixing & mastering engineering by: Chris Latham @ Gorilla’s Nest 1015 Ann Drive, Ashland City, TN 37015

Except for Lethal Jackson’s vocal, track 3, recorded & produced by Carl Jackson,
@ AFTRA Studios Nashville, TN 4/16.
Digital editing track 3 by Luke Wooten @ Station West, Nashville, TN; additional editing by Chris Latham @ Gorilla’s Nest Ashland City, TN

Back vocals tracks 2, 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 & 11
Co-produced by Larry Cordle & Carl Jackson.

This recording owned exclusively by:
MightyCord Records
P.O. Box 792
Hendersonville, TN 37077

Photography: Phillip Barnett
Digital Design: Anthony Ladd


1. The Old Thing’s Walkin’ About (3:39)
Songwriter(s): Larry Cordle/Larry Shell
Publisher(s): Wandachord Music, BMI/Not Her Money Music, BMI

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Back Vocals: Angie La Primm & Gail Mayes
Guitars: Clay Hess
Weisennborn Slide Gtr: Rob Ickes
Bass: Brennan Hess

This song idea came from an old family story that my Dad & Uncle used to tell. The story featured their Uncle Georgie, who was startled (or, better yet scared stiff to be honest), one morning to hear the sound of what he thought was angels singing, echoing down through the holler. The source of the heavenly choir had actually originated from a gospel troupe driving up & down the little country roads around about home.

They were advertising an upcoming tent meeting, singing gospel songs piped through loud speakers mounted to the tops of the cars. Sounds would carry for miles in the 1930s & 40s through the hills of East Kentucky, especially with the lack of noise pollution in those days. Uncle Georgie, not understanding where the beautiful singing was coming from, took it to mean that the end of time had arrived. He supposedly ran to my Grandfather’s house telling everyone “the old thing is walkin’ about” (his way of announcing his belief that the end had come & everyone should prepare).

My Grandfather was said to have remarked to Uncle Georgie rather laconically, “George, if it was the end of time, I doubt you would have had time to run all the way from your house to ours, [about a quarter mile away], to tell us about it; since the bible says it will occur in the twinkling of an eye.” This calmed him down I reckon or at least so the family legend goes.

This is a funny story my folks used to tell but certainly not funny if we are unprepared when Jesus returns. I told this story to my old pal & most frequent collaborator, Larry Shell, about 25 years ago. He and I tried to write it as a funny, country song several times over the years with no luck. God finally showed me that it was supposed to be a gospel song about 3 or 4 years ago. I was on my way to the IBMA awards show in Raleigh, NC., when it finally hit me that my approach to writing the song had been wrong all along.

So, I told Shell, ‘let’s make it a gospel tune’. He readily agreed and helped me bring it home. Angie & Gail really make this thing by providing those great traditional ‘black spritual’ harmonies that I love so well… just like I heard them in my head…. Thanks girls! You truly make the old thing walk about!


2. God Had A Hand In It (2:31)
Songwriter(s): Carl Jackson/Jerry Salley
Publisher(s): BMG Gold Songs OBO Colonel Rebel Music, ASCAP
Universal-Brentwood Benson Tunes/Lasso The Moon Music, SESAC

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Lead &Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
Lead & Baritone Vocal: Jerry Salley
Lead & Bass Vocal: Bradley Walker

A great song co-written by my talented, dear friends, Carl Jackson & Jerry Salley. I really love this piece and what it says, plus it gave us all (along with another wonderful friend and phenomenal talent, Bradley Walker), ‘lead’ lines in the song…thanks guys for letting me record your great song & for singing it with me. I owe you!


3. It’s a Lonesome Road (2:34)
Songwriter: Carl Story
Publisher: Pier International, BMI

Lead Vocal Verses: Lethal Jackson
Lead &Bbaritone Vocal Choruses: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
Bass Vocal: Bradley Walker

An old Carl Story song that I learned from Carl [Jackson’s] dad, who sings the lead vocal on the verses here.

At the annual ‘Home for Christmas’ show in Louisville, MS, we always did this song…Mr. Lethal, Carl, Carl’s Uncle Sock & myself. I told Mr. Lee a few years ago, if and when, I was able to record a gospel CD, I was gonna do this song, since I learned it from him…. Getting him to guest on here with me is such a thrill. I wanted to have Carl’s Uncle Sock Jackson sing on it too. Sadly, he passed away before I could try to make that happen.

Thanks, Mr. Lee, for making this track so special. This one is for you Sock.


4. I’ll Meet You In The Morning (3:09)
Songwriter: A.E. Brumley
Publisher: ClearBox Rights, LLC

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
High Baritone Vocal: Val Storey
Bass Vocal: Bradley Walker

Another Albert E. Brumley gem that I’ve heard my Mom & Dad, Uncle James & Aunt Joyce sing a lot. It was a big ‘singing school’ staple when I was a kid, because of all the answers & the parts it has. We gave it our own twist on the last verse. I’ve always loved this song.

I can remember the congregation singing it at my Granny Lora’s funeral when I was nine years old. Albert E. must have had a strong connection with the Lord.

What a great catalog of songs He gave him. “Rank Stranger”, “A Beautiful Life” (we always called it ‘Life’s Evening Sun’), “I’ll Fly Away”, and on and on… there is no doubt that God directly inspired Mr. Brumley to write these songs. That’s the reason they have been around so long and why we’re still singing them today.

5. Two Coats (3:29)
Songwriter: Trad arr by: Larry Cordle
Publisher: Wandachord Music, BMI

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Don Rigsby

An old traditional number that I first learned from an early hero of mine, the late great Dr. Ralph Stanley.

A few years ago, I came up with this version for a guest spot on a TV show in Ashland, KY. Of course, no one could do it like the Dr! Don Rigsby, who was the star of the show, liked the arrangement & suggested I do it solo… that’s where I first performed it publicly. Soon after, I did it at my home church and it became a big request of mine at our little country services at Cordell Freewill Baptist, where I found Jesus! For all of you who have asked me if I have a recording of it here ya go! Don’s tenor is just absolutely stunning to me …. Thanks pal!

6. Give Me Jesus
Songwriter:
Traditional arranged by: Larry Cordle
Publisher: Wandachord Music, BMI

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
High Baritone Vocal: Val Storey
Guitar: Clay Hess
Bass: Brennan Hess

Another old traditional number that I learned from a young lady that I perform with on Monday nights, Val Storey. (You should hear her sing it!) I love this song. So simple & so true as to how I feel as a Christian…. Give Me Jesus!

7. This Blood’s For You (3:45)
Songwriter(s): Larry Cordle/Larry Shell
Publisher(s): Wandachord Music, BMI/Not Her Money Music, BMI

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
Baritone Vocal: Jerry Salley
Guitars & Mandolin: Clay Hess
Bass: Brennan Hess

The inspiration for this song came from a t-shirt that my friend Andy Leftwitch wore to a session one day. It depicted Christ on a Blood-stained cross, and I think a crumpled Budweiser can near by; after all, the slogan was an obvious take on the old Bud commercial, “For all
you do, this Bud’s for you.”

Obviously, some enterprising guy or gal had seized on this slogan to form a Salvation statement. I thought it was such a great song title, although it took me about 20 years to figure out how to try and write it.

Thanks Andy for wearing that shirt on that particular day! I’m always looking for song ideas.

8. Gone On Before (3:51)
Songwriter(s): Larry Cordle/Ronnie Bowman
Publisher(s): Wandachord Music, BMI/Sony Tree Music, BMI

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
High Baritone Vocal: Val Storey

I co-wrote this song with one of my favorite people, singer/hit songwriter extraordinaire, Ronnie Bowman. Some of you remember it from the “Pud Marcum” record a few years ago. However, on this version, the verses are a bit different. I changed the lyric a bit in order to sing it at my dear friend Ann Soyars’ wake, when we lost her, a few years ago.

The first version was written after Ronnie’s mother & my mother passed away. The song was inspired by a dream I had of Mom. Ronnie, who was still aching from losing his mother as well, dug right in with me & we gutted out. We finally finished it in what turned out to be an extremely emotional experience for both of us.

For awhile I wondered if I’d ever be able to sing it live but honestly, the hardest hill I had to climb was singing it for my family the first time. After I got through that, I knew it could sing it for anyone. I believe God Almighty gave this song to Ronnie & me as a sign of hope that we would meet our mothers again in Heaven, when our days here are done. It has become one of my most requested songs at live shows & people are constantly asking me if I have it on an all gospel CD. Now I do.

9. Lost As A Ball In High Weeds (4:27)
Songwriter(s): Larry Cordle/Larry Shell
Publisher(s): Wandachord Music, BMI/Pier Five Music, Inc., BMI

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Val Storey
Baritone Vocal: Carl Jackson
Bass Vocal: Bradley Walker

This one was written from a line an old preacher friend of my family [Kay Thompson, Jr or Kay Jr as we all called him], nearly always used when he was giving altar call at the close of service. He’d say in his great mountain voice, “If you’re in here tonight & you ain’t got Jesus, well…. you’re just as lost as a ball in high weeds”.

This is another song that my fans were forever asking me if I had it on an all gospel CD, and that’s the reason I decided to make a new recording of it here. It first appeared on a CD titled “Songs from the Workbench” circa 2003.

10. The Old Ship of Zion (2:05)
Songwriter: T. Dorsey
Publisher: Unichappel Music, Inc.

Lead & Baritone Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Don Rigsby
Bass Vocal: Bradley Walker

One of my Mom and Dad’s favorite Dorsey hymns. I never paid all that much attention to it, but Mom wanted someone to sing it at her funeral. My cousin, the late Rev. Rick Cordial, did us that great honor in his own inimitable fashion … so bone chilling was his version.

My Mom’s love for the song paired with my Dad’s request for its appearance on this gospel album made it a no brainer. I had planned on it being just a duet between the great Don Rigsby & myself, but I decided to stair step the parts. I couldn’t have Bradley Walker in the studio & not get him to sing on one more!

11. The First Step To Heaven (3:09)
Songwriter(s): Jim Rushing/Emory Gordy, Jr
Publisher(s): Universal Music Pub., Co Polygram, ASCAP/Sony Tree Music, BMI

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
Baritone Vocal: Jerry Salley
Bass Vocal: Bradley Walker

My mentor, brother in Christ, and favorite songwriter of my time here in Nashville is the co-writer of this great song… what a line…. “The 1st Step to Heaven, is down on your knees”. Jim co-wrote this song with another friend of mine, Emory Gordy Jr. Emory just happens to be married to one of my favorite singers, Miss Patty Loveless. He is a great songwriter in his own right, as well as a terrific musician. Jim (who now lives in Montana), taught me so much when it comes to songwriting.

Always searching for the absolute best line we could find, instead of a way to just finish a song. I owe him so much for what he did for me in my career. Always urging me to try and do it better… and being brutally honest with me when critiquing our work. “Is that the best we can do? He’d say… or, are we just making up rhymes”? or “maybe the doggone melody is wrong”.

I love you so much old pal … I hope you & Emory like this version… there have been some earlier great versions of it, so I know I had a lot to live up to. God Bless.

12. Family Bible (3:32)
Songwriter: P. Buskirk; W. Breeland; C. Gray
Publisher(s): Glad Music Pub & recording, LLP/Pappy Daily Music, LLC

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Carl Jackson
Baritone Vocal: Bradley Walker
Guitars & Mandolin: Clay Hess
Bass: Irl Hees

I remember hearing this song when I was a kid and always being just floored by its beauty and how it spoke to my heart. My wife Wanda loves this song a lot & I decided that although it has been oft recorded, I wanted a version of my own on a CD. Interestingly enough, though most people know that the great Willie Nelson wrote this song, his name appears nowhere among the credits, as either the songwriter or publisher. I found this out when I was licensing the song!

Willie says that he sold the song, when he was in a tight spot & needed the money, before his career as a songwriter really took off. He is very matter of fact about it & if he has any animosity towards whomever he sold it to, he shows no sign of it in his great book “It’s A Long Story: My Life”.

It’s a great song, and Willie, I put your name under it on the back cover. Hope I don’t get in trouble -- but come on, fair is fair!

13. When You Pray, Will You Pray For Me (1:15)
Songwriter: Audrey Mieir
Publisher: ClearBox Rights, LLC

Lead Vocal: Larry Cordle
Tenor Vocal: Val Storey
Baritone Vocal: Carl Jackson
Bass Vocal: Bradley Walker

I learned this song at Holiday Heights Baptist Church in Hendersonville, TN. It was a favorite of the late, great Bro. Herb Wilburn. When the Sunday service concluded, before we left the sanctuary to go back out into the world, we always formed a circle and held hands while singing this wonderful stanza of this powerful Audrey Mieir song. “When you pray, will you pray for me”.

Thank you, Bro Herb, for your wonderful example of how a Christian should conduct himself. I can never sing this song without becoming emotional. Prayer is, in my opinion, the most important thing we can do for each other.

I can’t think of a more fitting way to close this CD. This is for you Bro Herb. Tell my Mom, Dad, Grandparents and my brothers, I’ll be along soon.

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 and I kind of 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, Kenny Chesney, Kathy Mattea, 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.