Larry Garner (Born 08/07/1952)

Definitely one of the new breed - an artist that the Primer feels can draw new recruits to the blues in a way other exponents of the art might not (and when the Primer kicked off many years ago now, that was one of its initial objectives).
Garner has a natural talent for storytelling and a singular approach to music making; he isn't really content to try and find a personal interpretation of traditional or prevailing influences or existing blues styles. The Primer saw one advert for an upcoming concert in the UK which said Garner was "blues you could dance to" and I wouldn't argue with that.

He was raised in the Baton Rouge area and early on played in gospel and straight ahead R&B bands. Apparently Inspired by local swamp bluesmen Silas Hogan and Clarence Edwards, he learned how to play guitar from his uncle and a couple of gospel-playing elders. After serving in the army he actually quit music altogether for around ten years.
He worked in a a Dow chemical plant for almost two decades until his retirement. Presumably he did that because he couldn't make full time musician pay as a profession. Hard to believe that a guy with this much talent had to hold down a day job for so long. Around 1983, he started to sit in on local shows again and within two years had formed his own band, quickly gaining a reputation for his live performances and for the fact that much of the material played was self-penned.

All his albums are worth getting hold of, starting off with his first album proper "Double Dues" (he had previously issued a cassette of his own material, which got him a label deal). He released "Too Blues" in 1993, by which time he had already become a favourite in the UK and Europe. Recording for a bigger label (Verve) has not really changed his approach to his music but has allowed a bit more care in the production. Take a listen to "You Need To Live A Little" and, especially, "Standing Room Only" and "Once Upon The Blues" from 2000, all of which have received excellent reviews. Definitely worth a hearing. Blues sensibilities, witty writing with a contemporary take on life - all adds up to great music!