LARRY DEAN

LEAD GUITAR

 This might be a little long, but I’ve been around a while. I started playing guitar when I was about 13, I think. I always had a strong attraction to guitars and music. My first band, the Big Beats, played locally at high schools, Military schools, girl schools, UVA, VPI, VMI, then we went to Washington D.C. and recorded a 45 single, it was never released nationally but it did get some national airplay. We were contacted by a major Boston radio station. It was the most requested song played at that time. The next summer we went to Myrtle Beach and got a job playing on the strip. I was 16 and had to get a special work permit to be able to play. Then our record got released on CD twice in Europe with some other bands of the time. An original copy will bring about $500 in Sweden . We changed the name of the band and went to Charlotte N.C. to audition for Hit Attractions, a national booking company. Well, the first thing you know we were playing all over creation. Then the draft came and we lost some members to Uncle Sam. So I formed Stonemaze. We started playing regularly in Richmond , Va. with people like Bruce Springsteen and The Allman Brothers Band who were not yet famous. I left the band and formed Freightrain band. Then I decided it was time to get married, and put an effort into having a home and life. But I did form another band called Southern Cross. We did a show with Bill Deal and the Rhondels. We played for few years and the band dissolved. A couple years later a friend called me about putting a band together, and the band Sidewinder was formed. We got a slot at the Elbow room and that year some great musicians played there, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Danny Gatton, Son House, The Cobra , Thunderbirds and Nighthawks.. It was a fun year we also did shows with Delbert McClinton, Larry Raspberry and the High Steppers. I then joined and played in a couple country bands which I’m not sure if I belonged in, but it was good experience. From there a band was formed called Thunder Road . We were playing at a club one night when the roadie knocked over a big stack power amps. I reached out to catch them, it broke my finger on my left hand at the tips, and my playing was finished I left the band thinking I wouldn’t be able to ever play again  About ten years went by and then great guitarist named Randy Sizemore started coming around the house, jamming and listening to music. Then a good friend and fellow guitar player came to see me one winters day and brought along a very special man, Jesse Gordon, and when I talked to him and heard him play, he reminded me so much of Duane Allman, I never forgot him. I came home one evening and there was a note in the door from Jesse asking if I would be interested in trying out for the Band Most Wanted. I was very interested. The band was revamped and the leader, Kenny Meadows, said we’ve got a show in 3 weeks. Well, the day of that show was the most nervous I’ve been in my life. We pulled it off and the band seems to get better every time we play. There are some great people in the band. Jeff Spain keeps the band up and driving. Larry Breeden, a great bass player and a vocal range that probably none could compare to. Jesse, who’s nothing but a joy to play with. Kenny Meadows, who does a tremendous job on vocals, also plays guitar and works hard to keep the band moving forward. And there’s Andy Hensley, who is not only a great sound man, but also singer and guitarist. I’m happy to be a part of this band. I have to mention some people who should be in my Biography. P.L Kyger, Tony Ray, Ron Bragg, Doyle Shaffer , Ronnie Evans, James Emswiler, Billy Manor, Mike Ritchie , Pat Wertman, Paul Ipock, The Winters Brothers, Percy Sledge, Alex Chilton, The Boxtops, Gary Talley, Maurice Williams and the Zodiacs, The Southern Rock Allstars, Charlie Musselwhite, Reba Rambo.