Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted by The Gene Watson Fan Site, during 2009, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Larry Cordle, which he submitted to this site on Thursday 14 May 2009.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Larry Cordle who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Larry Cordle
This quote was submitted on Thursday 14 May 2009.
‘Gene is the possessor of one of the most wonderfully unique voices in country music history.
His ability to make us feel the emotions of passion, pain, loneliness and love is amazing.
Gene belongs in the Country Music Hall of Fame for he is truly a country original, who has stayed so true to what he knows and does better than just about anyone…country music’
Thank you, Larry Cordle, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Larry Cordle…
Larry Cordle was born and raised on a small family farm in eastern Kentucky.
While a young child, Larry Cordle was introduced to bluegrass, country and gospel music, by his great-grandfather Harry Bryant, an old time claw hammer banjo stylist, fiddle player and dancer.
Larry Cordle recounted, ‘Mom said I could sing ‘I’ll Fly Away’, all the way through when I was two years old!’
Larry Cordle fondly remembers this early influence by pointing out, ‘We lived so far away from everything that we had to make our own entertainment. Papaw would get the fiddle out in the evenings sometimes and play and dance for us. Just as soon as I was old enough to try to learn to play, I did so and kinda seconded after him on the guitar.
He ran an old country store and I spent many happy hours in there with him playing, talking about and listening to music. It was our escape into another world, something we grew up with and looked so forward to.
I was always happiest when we were in a jam session’.
After graduating from high school, Larry Cordle spent four years in the United States Navy and, after being honorably discharged, attended Morehead State University, receiving a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
Larry Cordle worked for a CPA firm during the day and played in clubs at night. All the while, Larry Cordle desperately wanted to devote all of his time to music, but his commitments would remain divided, until writing a song, which changed everything for the aspiring young singer / songwriter.
Eastern Kentucky was not only home for Larry Cordle, but also for his childhood friend and neighbour, musical prodigy, Ricky Skaggs. Upon hearing Larry Cordle’s new song, ‘Highway 40 Blues’, Ricky Skaggs promised that he would one day record it.
In the summer of 1983, it was the No.1 song on the Billboard country music singles chart (No.1 for one week in July 1983), helping to launch Larry Cordle’s songwriting career and skyrocketing Ricky Skaggs’ already solid country music career; the track was included on Ricky Skaggs‘ ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1983).
In 1985, at Ricky Skaggs‘ urging, Larry Cordle, by now out of the accounting business and back playing nightclubs again, gave up the security of a full time gig to move to Nashville and become a staff songwriter for Ricky Skaggs‘ new company, Amanda-Lin Music, with whom he (Ricky) had wisely partnered, with Lawrence Welk’s mega successful publishing company, Welk Music.
While he was at Lawrence Welk’s Welk Music, Larry Cordle met highly respected and talented individuals, including Jim Rushing, Carl Jackson, Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002), Johnny Russell (Tuesday 23 January 1940 – Tuesday 3 July 2001), Dickey Lee, Bob McDill and countless others, from whom he learned what it was gonna take to be a ‘real’ songwriter.
These acclaimed songwriters and artists taught Larry Cordle ‘the ropes’; he used his God-given talent, some incredible luck and much love, help and encouragement he received from his peers and his family.
Larry Cordle’s songs have appeared on projects which have sold a combined total of more than fifty-five million records, by a number of artists, including Ricky Skaggs, Alison Krauss, Rhonda Vincent, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, and Trace Adkins.
Though songwriting took Larry Cordle to Nashville, his desire to perform never waned. With his band, Lonesome Standard Time, Larry Cordle has the perfect platform to share his music with fans everywhere.
Lonesome Standard Time have been awarded ‘Song of The Year’ by the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) on two separate occasions, garnered two Grammy nominations for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’, received nominations for ‘Vocal Group’ and ‘Instrumental Group’, achieved No.1 slots on the Bluegrass and Americana Charts and gained the respect of their peers and had many accolades during their existence.
Lonesome Standard Time is comprised of seasoned, esteemed musicians in their own right, providing Larry Cordle with an outlet to feature his original material, trademark singing and his engaging personality, immediately connecting fans to his music.
In addition to his songwriting and role as a bandleader, Larry Cordle is sometimes featured as a lead and / or background vocalist on some of Nashville’s most awarded and popular music.
Larry Cordle has provided harmony vocals for a number of artists, including Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, Bradley Walker, Billy Yates, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and his co-writing pal, Jerry Salley.
Larry Cordle remains extremely active in all facets of his career. Larry Cordle regularly records, and tours in the United States and occasionally abroad with Lonesome Standard Time.
Larry Cordle is also still, first and foremost, a songwriter, now writing independently for his own company, Wandachord Music, BMI.
Exile recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘I Just Came Back To Break My Heart Again’ (co-written with James Preston Pennington) and included the track on ‘Exile’ (Epic Records, 1983).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Highway 40 Blues’ and included the track on ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1983); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1983.
Ricky Skaggs‘ ‘Highways & Heartaches’ (Epic Records, 1983) reached No.1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1983.
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Patiently Waiting’ (co-written with Donnie Clark and Vickie Clark) and included the track on ‘Country Boy’ (Epic Records, 1984).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Two Highways’ and included the track on ‘Country Boy’ (Epic Records, 1984).
Daniel O’Donnell recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Highway 40 Blues’ and included the track on ‘Two Sides of Daniel O’Donnell’ (Ritz Records, 1985); the album was re-issued, on CD, by Rosette Records in 2002.
Mel McDaniel (Sunday 6 September 1942 – Thursday 31 March 2011) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lower On The Hog’, which was co-written with Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002), and included the track on ‘Just Can’t Sit Down Music’ (Capitol Records, 1986).
John Anderson recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Honky Tonk Crowd’, which was co-written with Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002), and included the track on ‘Countrified’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1986).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Don’t Stop Gypsy’ and included the track on ‘Love’s Gonna Get Ya!’ (Epic Records, 1986).
George Strait recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘You Can’t Buy Your Way Out of The Blues’ (co-written with Mark Anthony) and included the track on ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1987).
Reba McEntire recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘I Don’t Want To Mention Any Names’ (co-written with Lisa Palas) and included the track on ‘The Last One To Know’ (MCA Records, 1987).
John Anderson recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lower On The Hog’, which was co-written with Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002), and included the track on ‘Ten’ (MCA Records, 1988).
George Strait recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Hollywood Squares’ and included the track on ‘Beyond The Blue Neon’ (MCA Records, 1989).
David Parmley recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Grandpaw’s Radio’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘I Know A Good Thing’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1989).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Heartbreak Hurricane’ (co-written with Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (Epic Records, 1989); the track reached No.13 on the Billboard country music singles chart in early 1990.
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘The Fields of Home’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (Epic Records, 1989).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lonesome For You’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (Epic Records, 1989).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (co-written with Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (Epic Records, 1989).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Saviour, Save Me From Myself’ (co-written with Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘Kentucky Thunder’ (Epic Records, 1989).
Garth Brooks recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Alabama Clay’, which was co-written with Ronnie Scaife (1947 – Wednesday 3 November 2010), and included the track on ‘Garth Brooks’ (Liberty Records, 1989).
Alison Krauss & Union Station recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Two Highways’ and included the track on ‘Two Highways’ (Rounder Records, 1989); this was the first album upon which Alison Krauss was accompanied by her group, Union Station, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best Bluegrass Album’ in 1990.
Rhonda Vincent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘We Were Almost Like A Dream Come True’ (co-written with Donnie Clark and Vickie Clark) and included the track on ‘A Dream Come True’ (Rebel Records, 1990); Carl Jackson, Kathy Chiavola, Wayland Patton and Tensel Davidson provided harmony vocals on the album.
Gene Watson recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was co-written with Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘At Last‘ (Warner Bros. Records, 1991).
Carl Jackson, John Starling (Tuesday 26 March 1940 – Thursday 2 May 2019) & The Nash Ramblers recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lonesome Dove’ (co-written with Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘Spring Training’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1991).
Larry Cordle has also had a career of his own, with his band, Lonesome Standard Time (Jody King, James Doncsecz, Kim Gardner and Josh Pickett).
In 1990, Larry Cordle founded Lonesome Standard Time with his friend Glen Duncan.
Garth Brooks recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Against The Grain’ (co-written with Bruce C. Bouton and Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘Ropin’ The Wind’ (Liberty Records, 1991).
Trisha Yearwood recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lonesome Dove’ (co-written with Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘Trisha Yearwood’ (MCA Records, 1991).
Sammy Kershaw recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Every Third Monday’ (co-written with Larry Shell and Billy Henderson) and included the track on ‘Don’t Go Near The Water’ (Mercury Records, 1991).
Diamond Rio recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Mama, Don’t Forget To Pray For Me’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Diamond Rio’ (Arista Records, 1991); the track reached No.9 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in early 1992.
Diamond Rio recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘It’s Gone’, which was co-written with Herb McCullough (Thursday 18 May 1944 – Tuesday 5 May 2015), and included the track on ‘Diamond Rio’ (Arista Records, 1991).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Let’s Put Love Back To Work’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘Timeless & True Love’ (Rebel Records, 1991); Carl Jackson, along with Russell Moore, Alison Krauss, David Parmley and Johnny Vincent provided harmony vocals on the album.
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was co-written with Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), and included the track on ‘My Father’s Son’ (Epic Records, 1991).
Kathy Mattea recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lonesome Standard Time’ and included the track on ‘Lonesome Standard Time’ (Mercury Records, 1992); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1992.
In 1992, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time saw the release of their debut album; ‘Lonesome Standard Time’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1992), which received a Grammy Award nomination, included the following tracks:
‘Lonesome Standard Time’ (written by Larry Cordle and Jim Rushing)
‘Delta Queen’ (written by Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson)
‘You Can’t Do Wrong & Get By’ (written by Larry Cordle and Jim Rushing)
‘The Fields of Home’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell)
‘Lower On The Hog’, which was written by Larry Cordle and Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002)
‘Castallion Springs’ (written by Glen Duncan)
‘Down The Road To Gloryland’ (written by Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson)
‘Kentucky King’ (written by Larry Cordle and Jim Rushing)
‘Little Cecil’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Old River Rock’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Highway 40 Blues’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Lonesome Dove’ (written by Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson)
‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017), Larry Cordle and Larry Shell
John Michael Montgomery recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Taking Off The Edge’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Life’s A Dance’ (Atlantic Records, 1992).
The Dillards recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Against The Grain’ (co-written with Bruce C. Bouton and Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘Take Me Along For The Ride’ (Vanguard Records, 1992).
Chris LeDoux (Saturday 2 October 1948 – Wednesday 9 March 2005) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Under This Old Hat’ (co-written with Mike Anthony) and included the track on ‘Under This Old Hat’ (Liberty Records, 1993).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Callin’ Your Name’ and included the track on ‘Solid Ground’ (Atlantic Records, 1995).
Kenny Chesney recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘The Bigger The Fool (The Harder The Fall)’ (co-written with Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘All I Need To Know’ (BNA Records, 1995).
Dale Ann Bradley & The New Coon Creek Girls (Ramona Church Taylor, Vicki Simmons and Pam Perry, with special guest, Deanie Richardson) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Country In My Genes’ (co-written with Larry Shell and Betty Key) and included the track on ‘Ain’t Love A Good Thing’ (Pinecastle Records, 1995).
Rhonda Vincent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘It Ain’t Nothing New’ (co-written with Larry Shell and Betty Key) and included the track on ‘Trouble Free’ (Giant Records, 1996); this track was a duet with Randy Travis.
Tracy Lawrence recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘As Lonesome As It Gets’ (co-written with James P. Pennington) and included the track on ‘Coast Is Clear’ (Atlantic Records, 1997).
Dale Ann Bradley recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘The First Mistake’ and included the track on ‘East Kentucky Morning’ (Pinecastle Records, 1997).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Let’s Put Love Back To Work’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘Life Is A Journey’ (Atlantic Records, 1997).
Ricky Skaggs recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lonesome Dove’ (co-written with Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘Life Is A Journey’ (Atlantic Records, 1997).
Tammy Graham recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Old Heartaches’ (co-written with Larry Shell and Billy Henderson) and included the track on ‘Tammy Graham’ (Career Records, 1997); Career Records was a division of Arista Nashville Records.
Terri Clark recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Cure For The Common Heartache’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher and Melba Montgomery) and included the track on ‘How I Feel’ (Mercury Records, 1998).
On Wednesday 15 December 1999, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time saw the release of ‘Murder On Music Row’ (Shell Point Records, 1999), which included the following tracks:
‘I Know How It Feels’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Black Diamond Strings’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell)
‘I’m Not The First’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell)
‘When It’s All Said & Done’ (written by Larry Cordle and Melba Montgomery)
‘Blackjack’, which was written by James Dee (J.D.) Crowe (Friday 27 August 1937 – Friday 24 December 2021) and Doyle Lawson
‘Jesus & Bartenders’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Hard Times’, which was written by Carl Jackson, Carter Stanley (Thursday 27 August 1925 – Thursday 1 December 1966) and Marty Stuart
‘I Wonder Where You Are Tonight’, which was written by Johnny Bond (Tuesday 1 June 1915 – Monday 12 June 1978)
‘Buck’s Run’ (written by Buck White)
‘Long Enough To Make Me Blue’ (written by Mike Anthony and Larry Cordle)
‘Old Kentucky Miners’, which was written by Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017) / this track included a narration, which featured Bert Colwell(Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017)
‘Deep Mine Blues’, which was written by Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 – Monday 20 May 2002)
‘Murder On Music Row’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell)
George Strait recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Murder On Music Row’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Latest Greatest Straitest Hits’ (MCA Records, 2000); the track, which featured guest vocals from Alan Jackson, received the Country Music Association (CMA) Award for ‘Song of The Year’ in 2000.
Although not released officially as a single, Larry Cordle & Larry Shell‘s ‘Murder On Music Row’ gained attention for its criticism of mainstream country music trends at the time, and received enough unsolicited airplay to chart at No.38 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2000.
Loretta Lynn (Thursday 14 April 1932 – Tuesday 4 October 2022) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Country In My Genes’ (co-written with Larry Shell and Betty Key) and included the track on ‘Still Country’ (Audium Records, 2000).
Kevin Denney recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Takin’ Off The Edge’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Kevin Denney’ (Lyric Street Records, 2002).
Kevin Denney recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Daddy Was A Navy Man’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Kevin Denney’ (Lyric Street Records, 2002).
On Tuesday 10 September 2002, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time saw the release of ‘Songs From The Workbench’ (Shell Point Records, 2002), which included the following tracks:
‘Anything Southbound’ (written by Mike Anthony and Larry Cordle)
‘Rambler’s Blues’
‘Carolyn At The Broken Wheel Inn’ (written by Bob McDill and Jim Rushing)
‘All I’ve Got Is Lonesome’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Can’t Let Go’ (written by Randy Weeks)
‘Workin’ End of A Hoe’ (written by Jim Rushing)
‘Cleanin’ Off The Porch’
‘That’s Why They Call ‘Em The Blues’, which was written by Larry Cordle and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018)
‘Heartbreak Hurricane’ (written by Larry Cordle and Jim Rushing)
‘I’m Not That Good At Goodbye’, which was written by Bob McDill and Don Williams (Saturday 27 May 1939 – Friday 8 September 2017)
‘Stray Cat’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Railroad Man’
‘Lost As A Ball In High Weeds’ (written by Larry Cordle)
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘There’s Always Yesterday’ and included the track on ‘Where I Come From’ (OMS Records, 2002).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘If It Ain’t Broke, Don’t Fix It’ (co-written with Mike Anthony) and included the track on ‘Where I Come From’ (OMS Records, 2002).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘High Weeds & Rust’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘Where I Come From’ (OMS Records, 2002).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Whistlin’ In The Dark’ (co-written with Mike Anthony) and included the track on ‘Where I Come From’ (OMS Records, 2002).
Larry Cordle, along with friends Carl Jackson and Jerry Salley, the trio (Cordle, Jackson & Salley) recorded the track ‘You’re Running Wild’, which was included on ‘Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’ – Songs of The Louvin Brothers’ (Universal South Records, 2003), a Louvin Brothers tribute album on Universal South Records, which featured numerous country music artists singing songs made famous by the legendary duo.
‘Livin’, Lovin’, Losin’ – Songs of The Louvin Brothers’ (Universal South Records, 2003) won a Grammy Award for ‘Country Album of The Year’ in 2003.
In 2004, ‘Moody Bluegrass’ (Rounder Records, 2004), was released and included twelve Moody Blues covers:
‘Lovely To See You’ / this track featured Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011)
‘Land of Make Believe’ / this track featured Tim O’Brien with Alison Krauss
‘The Voice’ / this track featured John Cowan
‘The Other Side of Life’ / this track featured Larry Cordle
‘It’s Up To You’ / this track featured Jan Harvey
‘Ride My See Saw’ / this track featured Emma Harvey
‘I’m Just A Singer In A Rock & Roll Band’ / this track featured John Cowan with Sam Bush
‘Legend of A Mind’ / this track featured Tim O’Brien with Jon Randall
‘Your Wildest Dreams’ / this track featured Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011)
‘Nights In White Satin’ / this track featured John Cowan with Alison Krauss and Sam Bush
‘Late Lament’ / this track featured Larry Cordle
‘Never Comes The Day’ / this track featured John Cowan
A follow-up project, ‘Moody Bluegrass…Two Much Love’ (Bunny Rae Records, 2011), was released in 2011.
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Goin’ Against The Grain’ (co-written with Bruce C. Bouton and Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘The Journey’ (Springhill Records, 2004).
The Oak Ridge Boys recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘You Don’t Have To Go Home’ (co-written with Jerry Salley and Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘The Journey’ (Springhill Records, 2004).
Joe Bonson & Coffee Run (Wendy Bonson and Darren Kauffman) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Jesus & Bartenders’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘Love Train’ (Arch Tech Records, 2004).
Joe Bonson & Coffee Run (Wendy Bonson and Darren Kauffman) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘All My Bridges But One’ and included the track on ‘Love Train’ (Arch Tech Records, 2004).
On Tuesday 2 January 2004, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time saw the release of ‘Lonesome Skynyrd Time: A Bluegrass Tribute To Lynyrd Skynyrd’ (CMH Records, 2004), which included the following tracks:
‘Call Me The Breeze’, which was written by J.J. Cale (Monday 5 December 1938 – Friday 26 July 2013)
‘Sweet Home Alabama’, which was written by Ed King, Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant (Thursday 15 January 1948 – Thursday 20 October 1977)
‘Things Going On’, which was written by Gary Rossington and Ronnie Van Zant (Thursday 15 January 1948 – Thursday 20 October 1977)
‘Southern By The Grace of God’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell)
‘Tuesday’s Gone’, which was written by A.J. Collins, Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant (Thursday 15 January 1948 – Thursday 20 October 1977)
‘I Know A Little’ (written by Steve Gaines)
‘The Ballad of Curtis Loew’ (written by A.J. Collins)
‘Gimme Three Steps’, which was written by A.J. Collins, Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant (Thursday 15 January 1948 – Thursday 20 October 1977)
‘The House At The End of The Road’, which was written by Rock Killough (Tuesday 17 March 1942 – Thursday 12 September 2024) and Larry Wilson
‘Saturday Night Special’, which was written by Larry Bastian, DeWayne L. Blackwell (Thursday 17 September 1936 – Sunday 23 May 2021), Ed King and Ronnie Van Zant (Thursday 15 January 1948 – Thursday 20 October 1977)
‘Freebird’, which was written by Allen Collins and Ronnie Van Zant (Thursday 15 January 1948 – Thursday 20 October 1977)
Alecia Nugent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘My First Mistake’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Alecia Nugent’ (Rounder Records, 2004).
Alecia Nugent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘You Don’t Have To Go Home’ (co-written with Jerry Salley and Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Alecia Nugent’ (Rounder Records, 2004).
Sonny Burgess recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Jesus & Bartenders’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘Stronger’ (CPI Records, 2005).
Alecia Nugent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Too Good To Be True’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘A Little Girl…A Big Four-Lane’ (Rounder Records, 2006).
Bradley Walker recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘When I’m Hurting’ (co-written with Larry Shell) and included the track on ‘Highway of Dreams’ (Rounder Records, 2006); the track featured background vocals from Larry Cordle and Rhonda Vincent.
Bradley Walker recorded ‘Love’s Tombstone’ (written by Carl Jackson and Jenny Yates) and included the track on ‘Highway of Dreams’ (Rounder Records, 2006); the track featured background vocals from Larry Cordle and Rhonda Vincent.
Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Jesus & Bartenders’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘Straight From The Heart’ (Shanachie Records, 2007).
On Tuesday 18 September 2007, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time saw trhe release of ‘Took Down & Put Up’ (Lonesome Day Records, 2007), which included the following tracks:
‘I Can’t Lose What I Never Had’
‘The First Train Robbery’ (written by Chris Stuart)
‘Hole In The Ground’ (written by Larry Cordle and James P. Pennington)
‘Song For Keith’, which was written by Larry Cordle and Randy Lynn Scruggs (Monday 3 August 1953 – Tuesday 17 April 2018)
‘Rough Around The Edges’ (written by Larry Cordle, James P. Pennington and Les Taylor) / this track featured guest vocals from Travis Tritt
‘Mississippi Kid’
‘Plum Sideways’
‘B.Y.O.B.’, which was written by Bill Caswell (passed away on Friday 17 February 2023) and Larry Cordle
‘I’m A Lie’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘Old Cheater’s Blues’ (written by Larry Cordle)
’67 Chevy Malibu’ (written by Mike Anthony and Larry Cordle)
‘The Hero of The Creek’ (written by Larry Cordle)
‘A Visit With An Uncle’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell)
Lonesome River Band recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Wires & Wood’ (co-written with Leslie Satcher) and included the track on ‘No Turning Back’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2008).
Lonesome River Band recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Molly’ (co-written with Connie Leigh) and included the track on ‘No Turning Back’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2008).
Alecia Nugent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘The Writing’s All Over The Wall’ (co-written with Connie Leigh) and included the track on ‘Hillbilly Goddess’ (Rounder Records, 2009); this track was a duet with Bradley Walker.
Gene Watson recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘A Taste of The Truth’ (co-written with Rebecca Lynn Howard) and included the track on ‘A Taste of The Truth‘ (Shanachie Records, 2009).
Bobby Osborne (Monday 7 August 1931 – Tuesday 27 June 2023) & The Rocky Top X-Press recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘A Wise Man’s Mind Will Change’ (co-written with Jim Rushing) and included the track on ‘Bluegrass & Beyond’ (Rounder Records, 2009).
Joe Diffie (Sunday 28 December 1958 – Sunday 29 March 2020) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘I Know How It Feels’ (co-written with Rusty Morrell) and included the track on ‘Homecoming: The Bluegrass Album’ (Rounder Records, 2010).
In 2011, Larry Cordle saw the release of a follow-up project, ‘Moody Bluegrass…Two Much Love’ (Bunny Rae Records, 2011), which included sixteen Moody Blues covers:
‘I Know You’re Out There’ / this track featured Vince Gill
‘Dear Diary’ / this track featured Tim O’Brien
‘Meanwhile’ / this track featured Harley Allen (Monday 23 January 1956 – Wednesday 30 March 2011)
‘Dawn Is A Feeling’ / this track featured Peter Rowan
‘It’s Cold Outside of Your Heart’ / this track featured Justin Hayward
‘You & Me’ / this track featured Ricky Skaggs
‘Say It With Love’ / this track featured Jan Harvey
‘Send Me No Wine’ / this track featured John Lodge
‘Story In Your Eyes’ / this track featured Ronnie Bowman
‘Nice To Be Here’ / this track featured Sam Bush
‘Voices In The Sky’ / this track featured Emma Harvey
‘Have You Heard’ (written by Mike Pinder) / this track featured vocals from Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson, with Carl Jackson on banjo and Stuart Duncan on fiddle
‘Higher & Higher’ / this track featured Graeme Edge
‘Tuesday Afternoon’ / this track featured John Cowan
‘Highway’ / this track featured Jon Randall
‘Lost Chord’ / this track featured David Harvey and Tim May
‘Moody Bluegrass…Two Much Love’ (Bunny Rae Records, 2011) was the follow-up project to ‘Moody Bluegrass’ (Rounder Records, 2004), which was released in 2004.
In 2011, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time saw the release of ‘Pud Marcum’s Hangin’ (MightyCord Records, 2011), which included the following tracks:
‘Justice For Willy’
‘Hello, My Name Is Coal’
‘Pud Marcum’s Hangin’
‘Uncle Bob Got Religion’
‘Angel On His Shoulder’
‘Molly’
‘Shade Tree Mechanic’
‘The Death of Bad Burch Wilson’
‘Brown Check’
‘Gone On Before’
‘Sometimes A Man Takes A Drink’
‘America, Where Have You Gone’
Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘It Ain’t Nothing New’ (co-written with Larry Shell and Betty Key) and included the track on ‘Your Money & My Good Looks’ (Upper Management Music, 2011).
Tim Hensley (Monday 8 October 1962 – Tuesday 30 April 2013) recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Lonesome Dove’ (co-written with Carl Jackson) and included the track on ‘Long Monday’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2008).
On Tuesday 11 November 2014, Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time saw the release of ‘All Star Duets’ (MightyCord Records, 2014), which included the following tracks:
‘Against The Grain’ (written by Larry Cordle, Bruce C. Bouton and Carl Jackson) / this track featured guest vocals from Garth Brooks
‘Mama, Don’t Forget To Pray For Me’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell) / this track featured guest vocals from Diamond Rio
‘Highway 40 Blues’ (written by Larry Cordle) / this track featured guest vocals from Ricky Skaggs
‘Lonesome Dove’ (written by written by Larry Cordle and Carl Jackson) / this track featured guest vocals from Trisha Yearwood
‘The Bigger The Fool (The Harder The Fall)’ (written by Larry Cordle and Jim Rushing) / this track featured guest vocals from Del McCoury
‘The Fields of Home’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell) / this track featured guest vocals from Kenny Chesney
‘Lonesome Standard Time’ (written by Larry Cordle and Jim Rushing) / this track featured guest vocals from Kathy Mattea
‘Murder On Music Row’ (written by Larry Cordle and Larry Shell) / this track featured guest vocals from Daryle Singletary (Wednesday 10 March 1971 – Monday 12 February 2018) and Kevin Denney
‘You Can’t Take It With You When You Go’, which was written by Larry Cordle, Larry Shell and Bert Colwell (Tuesday 4 April 1944 – Monday 31 July 2017) / this track featured guest vocals from Dierks Bentley
‘Cure For The Common Heartache’ (written by Larry Cordle, Melba Montgomery and Leslie Satcher) / this track featured guest vocals from Terri Clark
‘Rough Around The Edges’ (written by Larry Cordle, James P. Pennington and Les Taylor) / this track featured guest vocals from Travis Tritt
‘Two Highways’ (written by Larry Cordle) / this track featured guest vocals from Alison Krauss
Rhonda Vincent recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘I’d Rather Hear I Don’t Love You (Than Nothing At All)’, which was co-written with Lionel Alton Delmore (Tuesday 19 March 1940 Monday 20 May 2002), and included the track on (Disc 1 of a 2-CD set) ‘Only Me’ (Upper Management Music, 2014).
In April 2015, Larry Cordle was inducted into Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, celebrating his impressive career in music.
Lonesome River Band recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Mirrors Never Die’ (co-written with Brandon Rickman) and included the track on ‘Bridging The Tradition’ (Mountain Home Music Company, 2016).
Lonesome River Band recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘Rough & Tumble Heart’ (co-written with Galen Griffin) and included the track on ‘Outside Looking In’ (Mountain Home Music Company, 2019).
Larry Cordle is a long time resident of Hendersonville, a Nashville suburb.
Larry Cordle makes his home in Hendersville with his wife Wanda, and their daughter, Kelvey Christine, but still enjoys the opportunity to make frequent trips back to his East Kentucky home place and his roots.
John Anderson recorded Larry Cordle’s ‘All We’re Really Looking For’ (co-written with John Anderson and Dan Auerbach) and included the track on ‘Years’ (Easy Eye Sound, 2020).
• Visit Larry Cordle’s official site at larrycordle.com