United States 
Konshens and Era Istrefi collaborate on latest single “Oh God”
8 years ago
Larry McCray is a celebrated blues guitarist and singer, renowned for his soulful vocals and distinctive guitar work, who has collaborated with blues legends and achieved critical acclaim for his albums.
McCray was the first artist signed by Pointblank Records, a blues and soul subsidiary of Virgin Records. His 1991 debut album, "Ambition," was released through this label, marking his entry into the mainstream music industry.
Joe Bonamassa's label, KTBA Records, released McCray's critically acclaimed album "Blues Without You" in 2022 and "Heartbreak City" in 2025. This partnership marked McCray's return after a long hiatus and garnered significant attention, with "Blues Without You" debuting at No. 2 on the Billboard Blues chart.
Joe Bonamassa, who has produced several of Larry McCray's albums, has a partnership with Martin Guitar, indicating a broader connection within the blues and guitar community.
Larry McCray was born on April 5, 1960, in Magnolia, Arkansas, the second youngest of nine siblings. He grew up on a farm and learned to play guitar from his sister, Clara, drawing early inspiration from the styles of B.B. King, Freddie King, and Albert King. In 1972, his family moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where he continued to develop his musical talents, blending traditional blues with influences from artists such as Jimi Hendrix and the Allman Brothers. After completing high school, McCray worked on the assembly line at General Motors before pursuing his music career full-time.
McCray’s professional music career began to take shape with the release of his debut album, “Ambition,” in 1991. This album was recorded in a friend’s basement studio in Detroit and marked him as the first artist signed to Pointblank Records, a blues and soul subsidiary of Virgin Records. Following this, he toured with labelmate Albert Collins, gaining significant exposure. His 1993 album, “Delta Hurricane,” was produced by Mike Vernon. In 1999, he contributed a cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” to the tribute album “Tangled Up in Blues.” The year 2000 saw McCray establish his own independent label, Magnolia Records, which released his album “Believe It,” and later, his first live album, “Live on Interstate 75,” in 2006. He was honored with the “Sunshine” Sonny Payne Award for Blues Excellence at the King Biscuit Blues Festival in 2015.
After a seven-year hiatus, McCray made a notable return in 2022 with the album “Blues Without You,” released on Joe Bonamassa’s KTBA Records. This album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Blues chart and was named the #1 Blues Album of 2022 by Blues Rock Review magazine. “Blues Without You” was also nominated as Best Contemporary Blues Album at the Blues Music Awards. His latest album, “Heartbreak City,” released in 2025, continues his collaboration with Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, further showcasing his evolving blues sound. Throughout his career, McCray has shared stages with prominent figures such as B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, and the Allman Brothers, solidifying his status as a significant artist in the blues genre. In 2024, he was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame.
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