Larry Groce
Encyclopedia
Larry Groce is an American
singer-songwriter
and radio host. Since 1983, Groce has served as the host and artistic director of Mountain Stage
, a two-hour live music program produced by West Virginia Public Radio
and distributed by NPR
. He first entered the national spotlight in 1976 when his novelty song
Junk Food Junkie
became a Top Ten
hit. After that, Groce's voice became well known by children and parents alike as a result of his Platinum recordings of classic children’s songs for Walt Disney Records “Children’s Favorites” 4-volume series: Volume 1
(1979), Volume 2
(1979), Volume 3
(1986), and Volume 4
(1990).
, and became interested in music while in elementary school. He attended Adamson High School in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, with fellow aspiring singer-songwriters Michael Martin Murphy, Ray Wylie Hubbard
and B. W. Stevenson. Other music notables from the Oak Cliff area include Stevie Ray Vaughan
, Jimmie Vaughan
and Edie Brickell
.
organic food restaurant and coffeehouse co-owned by future Hollywood producer and manager Larry Brezner. (Brezner’s wife at that time, Melissa Manchester
, was also a regular.) Later that year, Groce signed a recording contract with Daybreak Records, a subsidiary of RCA Records
. His first album of original songs, The Wheat Lies Low, was released in 1970. From 1972 to 1985 he was a National Endowment for the Arts
sponsored "musician-in- residence", visiting schools in twenty different states. One of those residencies brought him to West Virginia
in 1972, where he continues to make his home.
In 1976, his satiric novelty song "Junk Food Junkie" became a top-ten hit and led to appearances on The Tonight Show
, The Merv Griffin Show
, American Bandstand
, The Midnight Special
, The Rich Little Show, Nashville Now
, The Disney Channel, Doctor Demento, and A Prairie Home Companion
.
Between 1979 and 1990 Groce appeared on nine Disney albums, six of which were certified Gold and two Platinum. His first Disney recording, Winnie-the-Pooh for President, was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Recording for Children” in 1976, and Disney’s Children’s Favorites Volumes I-IV remain in print and continue to sell.
In 1983, Groce co-founded Mountain Stage
, a two-hour live music program produced by West Virginia Public Radio and distributed nationally and internationally by NPR
and Voice of America
's satellite radio service. He has served as host and artistic director and for every broadcast to date, and his musical tastes have been instrumental in defining the sound of the show.
Mountain Stage
was the first nationally broadcast radio or television program to feature live performances by Lyle Lovett
, Mary Chapin Carpenter
, Sheryl Crow
, Barenaked Ladies
, Alison Krauss
, Ani DiFranco
, Phish
, Counting Crows
, Ben Harper
, Ryan Adams
, Sarah McLachlan
, Tori Amos
, Ben Harper
, Lucinda Williams
, David Gray
, and The Avett Brothers
. The show has also featured legendary musical pioneers such as Bill Monroe
, Ralph Stanley
, Doc Watson
, Pops Staples
and Brownie McGhee
as well as modern superstars R.E.M.
, Martina McBride
and Norah Jones
.
who also appeared in the film along with country stars Porter Waggoner and Johnny Paycheck
.
Groce was part owner of West Virginia's only statewide arts and entertainment alternative tabloid, Graffiti from 1990 until 2004.
In 2005 he became Executive Director of FestivALL Charleston, a ten-day festival of music, dance, theater and visual arts in West Virginia
’s Capitol City.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriter
Singer-songwriters are musicians who write, compose and sing their own musical material including lyrics and melodies. As opposed to contemporary popular music singers who write their own songs, the term singer-songwriter describes a distinct form of artistry, closely associated with the...
and radio host. Since 1983, Groce has served as the host and artistic director of Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage is a two-hour music radio show, first aired in 1983, produced by WV Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio and the Voice of America's satellite radio service. Hosted by Larry Groce, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern...
, a two-hour live music program produced by West Virginia Public Radio
WVPN
WVPN is the flagship radio station of West Virginia Public Broadcasting. It broadcasts a public radio format. It is licensed to Charleston, West Virginia. The station is currently owned by West Virginia Educational Broadcasting Authority....
and distributed by NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
. He first entered the national spotlight in 1976 when his novelty song
Novelty song
A novelty song is a comical or nonsensical song, performed principally for its comical effect. Humorous songs, or those containing humorous elements, are not necessarily novelty songs. The term arose in Tin Pan Alley to describe one of the major divisions of popular music. The other two divisions...
Junk Food Junkie
Junk Food Junkie
Junk Food Junkie is a 1976 novelty song by Larry Groce. Reaching #9 on the Billboard Top 100, it was Groce's only song to chart.The song tells about a man leading a double life. During the day he boasts of his natural diet lifestyle – however, at night, he reveals that he is secretly...
became a Top Ten
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
hit. After that, Groce's voice became well known by children and parents alike as a result of his Platinum recordings of classic children’s songs for Walt Disney Records “Children’s Favorites” 4-volume series: Volume 1
Disney's Children's Favorites Volume 1
Disney's Children's Favorites Volume 1 is a record containing 25 classic children’s songs. The songs are performed by Larry Groce and The Disneyland Children's Sing-Along Chorus . The record was produced in 1979 by Jymn Magon, and engineered by George Charouhas for Walt Disney Records...
(1979), Volume 2
Disney Children's Favorites 2
Disney Children's Favorites 2 is a record containing 26 classic children’s songs. The songs are performed by Larry Groce and The Disneyland Children's Sing-Along Chorus . The record was produced in 1979 by Jymn Magon, and engineered by George Charouhas for Walt Disney Records...
(1979), Volume 3
Disney Children's Favorites 3
Disney Children's Favorites 3 is a collection of 23 best-loved songs for kids. The songs are performed by Larry Groce and The Disneyland Children's Sing-Along Chorus. The Choral Director is Betty Joyce...
(1986), and Volume 4
Disney Children's Favorites 4
Disney Children's Favorites 4 is a collection of 27 classic children’s songs performed by Larry Groce and The Disneyland Children's Sing-Along Chorus. The Choral Director is Dawn Halloran. The CD was produced by Ted Kryczko and Pat Patrick; engineered by Kent Madison and George Charouhas, and...
(1990).
Early life
Groce was born in Dallas, TexasTexas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
, and became interested in music while in elementary school. He attended Adamson High School in the Oak Cliff section of Dallas, with fellow aspiring singer-songwriters Michael Martin Murphy, Ray Wylie Hubbard
Ray Wylie Hubbard
Ray Wylie Hubbard is an American Texas Country singer and songwriter.-Early life:Hubbard grew up in southeastern town of Hugo, Oklahoma. His family moved to Oak Cliff in south Dallas, Texas in 1954. He attended W. H. Adamson High School with Michael Martin Murphey, who had his own band at the time...
and B. W. Stevenson. Other music notables from the Oak Cliff area include Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stevie Ray Vaughan
Stephen Ray "Stevie Ray" Vaughan was an American electric blues guitarist and singer. He was the younger brother of Jimmie Vaughan and frontman for Double Trouble, a band that included bassist Tommy Shannon and drummer Chris Layton. Born in Dallas, Vaughan moved to Austin at the age of 17 and...
, Jimmie Vaughan
Jimmie Vaughan
James Lawrence "Jimmie" Vaughan is an American blues rock guitarist and singer from Dallas, Texas, United States. He is the older brother of the late Stevie Ray Vaughan....
and Edie Brickell
Edie Brickell
Edie Arlisa Brickell is an American singer-songwriter best known for 1988's Shooting Rubberbands at the Stars, the debut album by Edie Brickell & New Bohemians, which went #4 on the US Albums Chart.-Life and career:...
.
Career
Groce’s first album, collection of hymns called Peace and Joy and Power, was recorded in 1969 while he was still a college student. After graduating in 1970, he moved to New York and became a regular performer at a “Focus”, an Upper West SideUpper West Side
The Upper West Side is a neighborhood in the borough of Manhattan, New York City, that lies between Central Park and the Hudson River and between West 59th Street and West 125th Street...
organic food restaurant and coffeehouse co-owned by future Hollywood producer and manager Larry Brezner. (Brezner’s wife at that time, Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester
Melissa Manchester is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Beginning in the 1970s, she has recorded generally in the adult contemporary genre. She has also appeared as an actress on television, in films, and on stage....
, was also a regular.) Later that year, Groce signed a recording contract with Daybreak Records, a subsidiary of RCA Records
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
. His first album of original songs, The Wheat Lies Low, was released in 1970. From 1972 to 1985 he was a National Endowment for the Arts
National Endowment for the Arts
The National Endowment for the Arts is an independent agency of the United States federal government that offers support and funding for projects exhibiting artistic excellence. It was created by an act of the U.S. Congress in 1965 as an independent agency of the federal government. Its current...
sponsored "musician-in- residence", visiting schools in twenty different states. One of those residencies brought him to West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
in 1972, where he continues to make his home.
In 1976, his satiric novelty song "Junk Food Junkie" became a top-ten hit and led to appearances on The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show
The Tonight Show is an American late-night talk show that has aired on NBC since 1954. It is the longest currently running regularly scheduled entertainment program in the United States, and the third longest-running show on NBC, after Meet the Press and Today.The Tonight Show has been hosted by...
, The Merv Griffin Show
The Merv Griffin Show
The Merv Griffin Show is an American television talk show, starring Merv Griffin. The series ran from October 1, 1962 to March 29, 1963 on NBC, September 20, 1965 to September 26, 1969 in first-run syndication, from August 18, 1969 to February 11, 1972 at 11:30 PM ET weeknights on CBS and again in...
, American Bandstand
American Bandstand
American Bandstand is an American music-performance show that aired in various versions from 1952 to 1989 and was hosted from 1956 until its final season by Dick Clark, who also served as producer...
, The Midnight Special
The Midnight Special
The Midnight Special was the name of a passenger train formerly operated by the Chicago and Alton Railroad and its successor, the Gulf, Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The train ran on an overnight schedule, and in later years carried the last regularly scheduled Pullman sleeping car between Chicago,...
, The Rich Little Show, Nashville Now
Nashville Now
Nashville Now is a television talk show that focused on country music performers. It aired live weeknights on The Nashville Network from 1983-1993. The host was Nashville TV/radio personality Ralph Emery. The show won several Emmy awards during its run. A frequent guest and substitute host was...
, The Disney Channel, Doctor Demento, and A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion
A Prairie Home Companion is a live radio variety show created and hosted by Garrison Keillor. The show runs on Saturdays from 5 to 7 p.m. Central Time, and usually originates from the Fitzgerald Theater in Saint Paul, Minnesota, although it is frequently taken on the road...
.
Between 1979 and 1990 Groce appeared on nine Disney albums, six of which were certified Gold and two Platinum. His first Disney recording, Winnie-the-Pooh for President, was nominated for a Grammy in the category of “Best Recording for Children” in 1976, and Disney’s Children’s Favorites Volumes I-IV remain in print and continue to sell.
In 1983, Groce co-founded Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage is a two-hour music radio show, first aired in 1983, produced by WV Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio and the Voice of America's satellite radio service. Hosted by Larry Groce, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern...
, a two-hour live music program produced by West Virginia Public Radio and distributed nationally and internationally by NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
and Voice of America
Voice of America
Voice of America is the official external broadcast institution of the United States federal government. It is one of five civilian U.S. international broadcasters working under the umbrella of the Broadcasting Board of Governors . VOA provides a wide range of programming for broadcast on radio...
's satellite radio service. He has served as host and artistic director and for every broadcast to date, and his musical tastes have been instrumental in defining the sound of the show.
Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage
Mountain Stage is a two-hour music radio show, first aired in 1983, produced by WV Public Broadcasting and distributed worldwide by National Public Radio and the Voice of America's satellite radio service. Hosted by Larry Groce, the program showcases diverse music, from the traditional to modern...
was the first nationally broadcast radio or television program to feature live performances by Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Pearce Lovett is an American singer-songwriter and actor. Active since 1980, he has recorded thirteen albums and released 21 singles to date, including his highest entry, the number 10 chart hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, "Cowboy Man"...
, Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Mary Chapin Carpenter is an American folk and country music artist. Carpenter spent several years singing in Washington, D.C. clubs before signing in the late 1980s with Columbia Records, who marketed her as a country singer...
, Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Suzanne Crow is an American singer-songwriter, record producer, musician, and actress. Her music incorporates elements of rock, folk, hip hop, country and pop...
, Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies
Barenaked Ladies is a Canadian alternative rock band. The band is currently composed of Jim Creeggan, Kevin Hearn, Ed Robertson, and Tyler Stewart. Barenaked Ladies formed in 1988 in Scarborough, Ontario, then a suburban municipality outside the City of Toronto...
, Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss
Alison Maria Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in...
, Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco
Ani DiFranco is an American Grammy Award-winning singer, guitarist, poet, and songwriter. She has released more than 20 albums, and is widely considered a feminist icon.-Biography:...
, Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
, Counting Crows
Counting Crows
Counting Crows is an American rock band originating from Berkeley, California. Formed in 1991, the group gained popularity following the release of its debut album in 1993, August and Everything After, which featured the hit single "Mr. Jones"...
, Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
, Ryan Adams
Ryan Adams
David Ryan Adams is an American alt-country/rock singer-songwriter, from Jacksonville, North Carolina. Initially part of the group Whiskeytown, Adams left the band and released his first solo album Heartbreaker in 2000...
, Sarah McLachlan
Sarah McLachlan
Sarah Ann McLachlan, OC, OBC is a Canadian musician, singer and songwriter. Known for her emotional ballads and mezzo-soprano vocal range, as of 2006, she has sold over 40 million albums worldwide. McLachlan's best-selling album to date is Surfacing, for which she won two Grammy Awards and four...
, Tori Amos
Tori Amos
Tori Amos is an American pianist, singer-songwriter and composer. She was at the forefront of a number of female singer-songwriters in the early 1990s and was noteworthy early in her career as one of the few alternative rock performers to use a piano as her primary instrument...
, Ben Harper
Ben Harper
Benjamin Chase "Ben" Harper is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Harper plays an eclectic mix of blues, folk, soul, reggae and rock music and is known for his guitar-playing skills, vocals, live performances and activism. Harper's fan base spans several continents...
, Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams
Lucinda Williams is an American rock, folk, blues and country music singer and songwriter. She recorded her first albums in 1978 and 1980 in a traditional country and blues style and received very little attention from radio, the media, or the public. In 1988, she released her self-titled album,...
, David Gray
David Gray
David Gray may refer to:*David Gray , Scottish poet*David Gray , English singer-songwriter*David Gray , Scottish footballer*David Gray , Scottish footballer...
, and The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers
The Avett Brothers is a folk rock band from Mount Pleasant, North Carolina. The band is made up of two brothers, Scott Avett and Seth Avett, who play the banjo and guitar respectively, and Bob Crawford who plays the stand-up bass. Joe Kwon, cello, and Jacob Edwards, drums, are touring members of...
. The show has also featured legendary musical pioneers such as Bill Monroe
Bill Monroe
William Smith Monroe was an American musician who created the style of music known as bluegrass, which takes its name from his band, the "Blue Grass Boys," named for Monroe's home state of Kentucky. Monroe's performing career spanned 60 years as a singer, instrumentalist, composer and bandleader...
, Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley
Ralph Stanley , also known as Dr. Ralph Stanley, is an American bluegrass artist, known for his distinctive singing and banjo playing.-Biography:...
, Doc Watson
Doc Watson
Arthel Lane "Doc" Watson is an American guitar player, songwriter and singer of bluegrass, folk, country, blues and gospel music. He has won seven Grammy awards as well as a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. Watson's flatpicking skills and knowledge of traditional American music are highly regarded...
, Pops Staples
Pops Staples
Roebuck "Pops" Staples was a Mississippi-born Gospel and R&B musician.A "pivotal figure in gospel in the 1960s and 70s," he was an accomplished songwriter, guitarist and singer...
and Brownie McGhee
Brownie McGhee
Walter Brown McGhee was a Piedmont blues singer and guitarist, best known for his collaborations with the harmonica player Sonny Terry.-Life and career:...
as well as modern superstars R.E.M.
R.E.M.
R.E.M. was an American rock band formed in Athens, Georgia, in 1980 by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills and drummer Bill Berry. One of the first popular alternative rock bands, R.E.M. gained early attention due to Buck's ringing, arpeggiated guitar style and Stipe's...
, Martina McBride
Martina McBride
Martina McBride is an American country music singer and songwriter. McBride has been called the "Céline Dion of Country Music" for her big-voiced ballads and soprano range....
and Norah Jones
Norah Jones
Norah Jones is an American singer-songwriter and occasional actress.In 2002, she launched her solo music career with the release of the commercially successful and critically acclaimed album Come Away With Me, which was certified a diamond album in 2002, selling over 20 million copies...
.
Side Projects
In 1990, he starred in a low budget feature film made in West Virginia, Paradise Park (later re-released as “Heroes of the Heart”), about life in a Mountain State trailer park and co-wrote the title song with Webb WilderWebb Wilder
There are Roots-Rockers, and then there's Webb Wilder.Hardly a purist, he has described the music he and his band, The Beatnecks, make as, "Rock for Roots fans and Roots for Rock fans." In essence: Rock and Roll. There’s nothing new about combining R & B, Rock and Roll, Country, Blues, Pop and Rock...
who also appeared in the film along with country stars Porter Waggoner and Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck
Johnny Paycheck was the legal name of Donald Eugene Lytle , a country music singer and Grand Ole Opry member most famous for recording the David Allan Coe song "Take This Job and Shove It"...
.
Groce was part owner of West Virginia's only statewide arts and entertainment alternative tabloid, Graffiti from 1990 until 2004.
In 2005 he became Executive Director of FestivALL Charleston, a ten-day festival of music, dance, theater and visual arts in West Virginia
West Virginia
West Virginia is a state in the Appalachian and Southeastern regions of the United States, bordered by Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Ohio to the northwest, Pennsylvania to the northeast and Maryland to the east...
’s Capitol City.