Larry Wallace

In Larry Wallace’s driveway is a large tour bus, silver with vintage red and blue detail and a bold marquee over the windshield that bears his name. It has some slight wear, for which Larry and his wife, Barbara, apologize, but it’s the perfect symbol of Larry’s illustrious career in bluegrass music and the adventures the banjo player has had along the way.

Despite the bus, it’s hard to imagine anyone else having as much pride in his work as Larry. His eyes twinkle like a child’s on Christmas morning when he recounts his stories and shares his passion for bluegrass.

He’s one of the ones who’s been able to take his interest in music, learn an instrument and build it into a lifelong career, and the way he remembers the people who have influenced him and each minute detail of his experience makes it abundantly clear that he hasn’t taken a single moment for granted.

Born near Brookhaven in a community called McCall Creek, Larry’s interest in music was fostered by his grandfather, a fiddle player, and his father, who played guitar. Through their connections, Larry developed an interest in the banjo at age 13.

“Growing up, they always played on the porch with other musicians,” Larry said. “They didn’t have a banjo player, but then one of the musicians’ brother took up the banjo. When they’d take a coffee break, I’d ask him if I could play it.”

A self-taught banjo player, Larry says the time he spent in the company of his family and friends is what helped him learn. He also listened to the works of established bluegrass musicians and read as much as he could.

“I got banjo instruction books and records,” he said. “I learned a lot from albums, slowing down the albums of Earl Scruggs, who played the banjo, and I’d count notes. It was a slow process of getting it right.”

He describes his style as traditional.

“I use three-finger picks,” Larry said. “That’s known as the traditional style, like Earl Scruggs played. I like contemporary and progressive styles, and I listen to them, but I’m definitely a traditional player.”

In 1978, he was named the Mississippi State Banjo Champion and retained his title every year until 1984. He won again in 2010. In 2009 and 2010, he was awarded “Banjo Player of the Year” by the Magnolia State Bluegrass Association, of which he is a former president and a member for nearly 40 years.

Larry attended Mississippi State University beginning in 1981, and fell so in love with the town during his time in school that he decided to put down roots there for the long haul. Now, as a member of The Cedar Creek Ramblers, he puts on numerous live shows in town, many for college students at MSU.

“College kids love us,” Larry said. “We have a slogan – ‘Rockin’ Country Bluegrass.’ We play songs like ‘Sweet Child of Mine,’ and we bluegrass ’em up. A lot of students here think it’s pretty cool to play a banjo.”

He has been active in the area’s music scene, most notably serving as entertainment chairman of the beloved Cotton District Arts Festival every spring, where he performs.

But it’s not only Starkville that he loves — it’s his whole home state. He chose to stay in Mississippi, rather than move to Nashville as many other artists in his genre have done.

“I liked living here,” he said, “And I’m close enough to Nashville that I can get there pretty quickly whenever I want.”

He’s a member of the Mississippi Arts Commission’s Artist Roster and has performed regularly around the state — including Jackson, Tupelo, Hattiesburg and Oxford.

He said Mississippi has a strong bluegrass community.

“Through the Magnolia State Bluegrass Association, I was able to help get Gov. Haley Barbour to proclaim May as Bluegrass Music Month,” Larry said. “That was a really good time for bluegrass music in Mississippi.”

Nationally, Larry has picked on stage at The Grand Ole Opry at Nashville’s famous Ryman Auditorium, as well as at The Country Music Hall of Fame.

He’s also performed on television’s The Nashville Network and GAC and from California to the French provinces of Canada to a cruise ship in the Bahamas.

“It’s a long way from McCall Creek, Mississippi, to The Grand Ole Opry,” Larry said. “I hope that through my travels, I’ve made Mississippi proud.”

Of course, he has recorded countless albums through the years. Playing alongside Jimmy Martin and The Sunny Mountain Boys was one of Larry’s “biggest dreams.” Another was The Larry Wallace Band. He’s also been a member of The Vernon Brothers of Jackson and The Warrior River Boys of Cullman, Ala.

“When I was with Jimmy, they had a surprise celebration for him at the Country Music Hall of Fame,” Larry said. “Earl and Louise Scruggs were on the guest list that night. I played a 45-minute set with Jimmy in front of Earl Scruggs. Afterward, we shook hands, and he said ‘Good pickin’. You done a fine job.’ That was one of the proudest moments of my life.”

With such a storied history and a long travel log, it’s easy to see why his bus may show some wear and tear. But Larry’s energy is strong as ever, and he’s putting quite a bit of it toward teaching.

Just off the side entrance to his welcoming brick home is a sizable spare room that serves as his home office. Today he spends a majority of his time there, conducting banjo, mandolin and guitar lessons, both in person with local students and through online teleconference with interested learners as far away as Australia.

“The time difference with my Australian student makes scheduling sort of difficult,” Larry said. “But what’s amazing is that our connection is so clear. We make it work.”

Additionally, he has taught short courses in banjo and guitar at MSU.

“Living in Starkville has given me the opportunity to teach,” Larry said.

He taught Caroline Melby, a mandolin student and current member of HanaLena, a young Mississippi sister duo achieving success in Nashville.

“I’ve always taught,” he said. “All ages, small kids who could barely hold their instruments to people in their 70s.”

He’s particularly proud of his work with Charlie Worsham of Grenada.

“Charlie drove over here every week,” Larry said. “Charlie’s on Warner Brothers’ label now. He’s just a great musician overall, and I was just happy to be his banjo teacher.”

Larry’s office is adorned with his instrument collection that includes guitars, fiddles, a mandolin and, of course, his beloved banjos. A bookshelf holds countless framed photos of Larry and his friends — a montage of celebrity faces, from historic bluegrass greats Scruggs and Bill Monroe to contemporary stars such as Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss and Union Station and renowned Philadelphia, Miss., native and country artist Marty Stuart.

The photos and instruments are a testament to the rich life Larry has led. But, those are just stops along the way. He’s planning to give his tour bus a tune-up to get it road-ready again. Barbara said they’re looking into getting a camper and traveling the country for a while.

Whether on the road or at home, Larry and his banjo will surely continue to touch others’ lives, and he will carry his love of Mississippi, the South and its special, string-driven soundtrack wherever he goes.

STORY Kate Gregory
PHOTOGRAPHY Jeremy Murdock