Larry McNeely
Encyclopedia
Larry McNeely is an American five-string banjo player known for his collaboration with Glen Campbell
and for recording several soundtracks for different motion pictures.
's style and the Keith style
. He moved to La Folette, Tennessee
in 1965 to join the Pinnacle Mountain Boys and soon afterwards, he became a member of "Roy Acuff
and his Smokey Mountain Boys". Around 1967, he taught music lessons to Tom and Bill Gibson on banjo and guitar, respectively. In 1969, he joined the Glen Campbell
Show as a replacement for John Hartford
. About five years later, he was working with Burl Ives
and later with Smothers Brothers
. He formed the "Larry McNeely Trio" in 1975. In the fall of the 1970s, McNeely began his career as a studio session player for movie soundtracks. Over the years he's been working with artists such as, Mac Davis
, Eddie Kendricks
, Percy Faith
and Barbara Mandrell
. He became a member of "Southern Manor", a progressive bluegrass
band in 1984. Within a year he was back, working with Roy Acuff
.
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
and for recording several soundtracks for different motion pictures.
Biography
McNeely began playing the banjo in 1961. In the following years, he absorbed both Don RenoDon Reno
Don Wesley Reno was an American bluegrass and country musician best known as a banjo player in partnership with Red Smiley, and later with guitarist Bill Harrell.-Biography:...
's style and the Keith style
Keith style
The Keith style of playing the 5-string banjo emphasizes the melody of the song. Also known as the "Melodic" or "Chromatic style", it was first developed and popularized independently by Bobby Thompson and Bill Keith in the early 1960s. It is used primarily by bluegrass banjoists, though it can...
. He moved to La Folette, Tennessee
Tennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
in 1965 to join the Pinnacle Mountain Boys and soon afterwards, he became a member of "Roy Acuff
Roy Acuff
Roy Claxton Acuff was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the King of Country Music, Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the star singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful.Acuff...
and his Smokey Mountain Boys". Around 1967, he taught music lessons to Tom and Bill Gibson on banjo and guitar, respectively. In 1969, he joined the Glen Campbell
Glen Campbell
Glen Travis Campbell is an American country music singer, guitarist, television host and occasional actor. He is best known for a series of hits in the 1960s and 1970s, as well as for hosting a variety show called The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS television.During his 50 years in show...
Show as a replacement for John Hartford
John Hartford
John Cowan Hartford was an American folk, country and bluegrass composer and musician known for his mastery of the fiddle and banjo, as well as for his witty lyrics, unique vocal style, and extensive knowledge of Mississippi River lore...
. About five years later, he was working with Burl Ives
Burl Ives
Burl Icle Ivanhoe Ives was an American actor, writer and folk music singer. As an actor, Ives's work included comedies, dramas, and voice work in theater, television, and motion pictures. Music critic John Rockwell said, "Ives's voice .....
and later with Smothers Brothers
Smothers Brothers
The Smothers Brothers are Thomas and Richard , American singers, musicians, comedians and folk heroes. The brothers' trademark act was performing folk songs , which usually led to arguments between the siblings...
. He formed the "Larry McNeely Trio" in 1975. In the fall of the 1970s, McNeely began his career as a studio session player for movie soundtracks. Over the years he's been working with artists such as, Mac Davis
Mac Davis
Mac Davis is a country music singer, songwriter, and actor originally from Lubbock, Texas who has enjoyed much crossover success...
, Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks
Eddie Kendricks was an American singer and songwriter. Noted for his distinctive falsetto singing style, Kendricks co-founded the Motown singing group The Temptations, and was one of their lead singers from 1960 until 1971. His was the lead voice on such famous songs as "The Way You Do The Things...
, Percy Faith
Percy Faith
Percy Faith was a Canadian-born American bandleader, orchestrator, composer and conductor, known for his lush arrangements of pop and Christmas standards. He is often credited with creating the "easy listening" or "mood music" format which became staples of American popular music in the 1950s and...
and Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Mandrell
Barbara Ann Mandrell is an American country music singer best known for a 1970s–1980s series of Top 10 hits and TV shows that helped her become one of country's most successful female vocalists of the 1970s and 1980s...
. He became a member of "Southern Manor", a progressive bluegrass
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
band in 1984. Within a year he was back, working with Roy Acuff
Roy Acuff
Roy Claxton Acuff was an American country music singer, fiddler, and promoter. Known as the King of Country Music, Acuff is often credited with moving the genre from its early string band and "hoedown" format to the star singer-based format that helped make it internationally successful.Acuff...
.