Larry Smith
Larry began playing saxophone in the 4th grade and by the time he was in the 8th grade he joined his first band – “The Blue Knights”. “The Blue Knights” needed a singer, so Larry began to split his time on stage between lead vocals and playing the saxophone. As time passed, “The Blue Knights” evolved into a popular local band called “The Kommotions”. The band often shared the Club Imperial stage with Ike & Tina Turner, Bennie Sharp & The Sharpees, and Bob Kuban & The In-Men during the golden age of soul music in the 1960′s. After recording his first record “It’s a Cryin’ Shame” at the age of 16, Larry and “The Kommotions” debuted the song on Russ Carter’s St. Louis Hop TV show, and the song achieved local success on the radio station and in record store sales. During his college years, Larry and other members from “The Kommotions” started a new group called “Stanley Steamer” which signed a recording contract with CMC Records.
In 1972, “Stanley Steamer” was “discovered” by Kenny Rogers of Kenny Rogers and the 1st Edition. Kenny signed and produced Steamer’s first album entitled “Stanley Steamer”. Larry had the opportunity while under contract with MGM Records to sing on two albums with Kenny Rogers, Backroads and The Ballad of Calico County. While success seemed to be knocking on the door, their was a loving family waiting at home. After 4 years on the road playing and recording, Larry decided it was time to come home and live a more normal life where he and his family were not separated by thousands of miles.
After 2 years with Bob Kuban (1974-75) working weekends and teaching school during the day, Larry joined a band called “Clique” while attending the University of Missouri on a graduate fellowship. In 1978 Larry, along with some musical friends, started the group “Nugget” which performed locally and regionally for almost 20 years primarily for corporate and private events.
Larry joined “Butch Wax & The Hollywoods” in January 1999. Larry says he enjoys playing with a horn section again and appreciates the talent and commitment of all the band members and road crew. Larry says, “They’re a great bunch of talented people. I’m pleased to be a part of the band.”
There have been a number of memorable moments to recall while playing with Butchwax but the one that sticks with me most in recent years occurred in Illinois last summer. We had played an outdoor concert venue as a warm-up act for a nationally known, big money band who shall remain anonymous. After our part of the show we stepped out into the audience to listen to the “headliners.” To our pleasant surprise, we were swamped by people coming up to us and saying that, “Your band blows these guys away.” It was gratifying to hear that real music fans could tell the difference between the sounds they heard and were kind enough to go out of their way to let us know that we had outperformed the “headliners.”
Larry can be emailed at: larry@butchwax.net
Professional Equipment: Selmer Mark VI Alto Sax, Selmer Mark VI Tenor Sax, King Bari Sax, Haynes Flute.
Larry’s Top 10 Songs:
- “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” – Righteous Brothers
- “Try A Little Tenderness” – Otis Redding
- “Something Is Wrong With My Baby” – Sam & Dave
- “William Tell Overture” – Glacchimo Rossini
- “Nessundorma” – Pavarotti
- “Soul Man” – Sam and Dave
- “I Can’t Make You Love Me” – Bonnie Raitt
- “You Make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman” – Aretha Franklin
- “Rubberband Man” – The Spinners
- “Straight to the Heart” – David Sanborn