Blues Legend Larry McCray Releases New Single “Breaking News”

Larry McCray

Larry McCray releases a new single “Breaking News” from his upcoming album Blues Without You out March 25 via Keeping The Blues Alive Records, produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith. The album also features performances by Warren Haynes, Joanna Connor, Reese Wynans and Joe Bonamassa.

Rustbelt blues vocalist and guitarist Larry McCray proves his rightful place in the spotlight with “Breaking News.” A feel-good groove that opens with saxophone, ticking drums, strings and piano, McCray breaks out with his soulful, rich vocals.

“Breaking News” is a strong serving of some hard contemporary blues full of unapologetic social commentary. McCray gives the track a bit of a 70s soul vibe by including strings and horns but the heart of the song, it’s message about life in these United States, is pure 21st Century blues music. McCray’s vocal performance is emphatic and streetwise and his guitar lines sting and wail over the cut’s deep groove. “Breaking News” will shake your bones and also expand your mind and make you think. Turn it up loud and let it do its job.

Punctuated by backing singers, piano and expert orchestration, McCray sings, “It’s all paid for by taxes so tell me how is it free for me.”

Listen to “Breaking News”

 
Larry McCray’s musical journey reveals many twists and turns and personal hardships. With his current companion and collaborator Peggy Smith, Larry was rediscovered by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith.

McCray was named the Orville H. Gibson Male Blues Guitarist of the year in 2000, won the Top Guitarist award in the International Blues Matters Writer’s poll, and was awarded the “Sunshine” Sonny Payne Award for Blues Excellence in 2015. Over the years Larry has performed and toured with blues greats BB King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, John Mayall, Johnny Winter, Robert Cray, Keb’ Mo’, Jimmie Vaughan, Kenny Wayne Shepherd and Joe Bonamassa as well as rock legends the Allman Brothers, Phil Lesh, Jonny Lang, Joe Walsh, Levon Helm, Chris Robinson, Dickey Betts and many more.

In the late 80’s, Michigan-based McCray attracted the attention of the head of Virgin Records’ blues label and was signed to Point Blank Records as their inaugural artist. His debut album Ambition, blending blues and elements of rock and soul to create a contemporary blues sound, was released in 1990 to critical acclaim. Throughout the 90s Larry continued to help define blues rock, releasing Delta Hurricane (1993), Meet Me at the Lake (1996) and Born To Play the Blues (1998). In 2000, he started his own label Magnolia Records and released Believe It (2000), Blues Is My Business (2001), Live On Interstate 75 (2006), Larry McCray (2007) and The Gibson Sessions (2015). And soon to be released Blues Without You.

Stream “Breaking News” by Larry McCray here. 

Pre-order Blues Without You by Larry McCray here

Larry McCray website