This Friday at 9 p.m. on WSRE, “Conversations with Jeff Weeks” welcomes Grammy Award Winning Producer and Songwriter Larry Butler. He was a small town piano player who gambled he could make it in Nashville — starting off as session player Larry Butler would go on to produce some of the biggest names in Music City. He became the first and only Nashville producer to win the prestigious Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, while up against competition from elite producers like Quincy Jones. Larry gives an insider’s tour of the Nashville music scene and tells stories about what it was like to work with the likes of Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, John Denver and others. “Conversations with Jeff Weeks” is a half-hour, weekly series that is “personality-driven,” featuring in-depth discussions with unique individuals and leading newsmakers from all walks of life. The program airs every Friday night at 9 p.m. on WSRE, PBS for the Gulf Coast.
Larry began his career at the age of six with the Harry James Orchestra, and before he was old enough to drive he had hosted his own radio show and co-hosted a live TV show. In 1963, Larry moved to Nashville with only a few dollars in his pocket. He didn't waste any time before you could hear his unique style of piano backing up the likes of Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Bobby Goldsboro, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie Rich, Lynn Anderson and the list goes on. After a stint in Memphis, Larry returned to Nashville only to experience even greater success. Butler joined United Artists Records as head of the label's Nashville division bringing in such acts as Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Dottie West and the Kendalls. Unquestionably, Larry's biggest success was producing Kenny Rogers. It was Larry who converted Kenny to Country Music and their magical studio collaboration yielded many of Kenny's greatest hits including “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” “The Gambler” and “Coward Of The County.” In 1980, Larry the spotlight was once again upon him with his Grammy win for Producer of the Year, which solidified his reputation as a hit maker. He later went on to form his own music company, Larry Butler Music Group, Inc. which went on to produce numerous top ten hits and top forty records. Today, Larry resides in his home State of Florida and continues to produce new talent.
Other upcoming guests include: Jim Morris “The Rookie,” Pam Bilbrey, Mark Whitacre “The Informant,” and Dr. Gaylon McCollough.
