I’ve met Larry Sparks a few times over the years, it’s been several years since I’ve seen him in person. There is some history between Larry and my father’s side of my family, although I’ve never been given all of the details. I’m 50 years old and this connection was before my time, back in the 1960’s, possibly the early 70’s before Larry became a famous big name celebrity in the world of bluegrass music. My dad has passed on now, along with aunt Ollie and many others from that generation who knew him personally, so I can’t dig around and press for more information. I have asked about Larry Sparks a few times to grandparents and family that were still living back then, but for some reason unknown to me, every time Larry’s name came up, it wasn’t long before they would get quite and they would start acting different and change the subject. Since I was a young child I’ve heard story’s from time to time (not often) from my family members about the time Larry spent living with them and running around with my grandfather playing music together and trying to hit it big. My grandpa died in 1979 before I could get to know him, but Larry went on and became a big star. I’ve always wanted to have a sit down conversation with Larry and ask him about those times and listen to those stories from his perspective. I went to a couple of his shows when he was in our area several years ago, hoping to talk with him, but there were so many people there who wanted to meet him, and to him I’m just another stranger. My dad and I went to one of his shows in connersville once, and he recognized my dad so they talked for a few minutes but I didn’t get much time for questions. We did get autographed pictures of him with a phone number on the back though. We later called that number and just got a recording with music playing on it, we never did get to talk with him again. I’m just an average person and he’s a well known musical celebrity now, and he’s getting some years on him. I may not ever have that conversation, to Larry I’m just another person who wants something from him , but I sure would love that opportunity if Larry would be willing to share a few minutes of his time with me just for the sake of clarification and understanding. The only thing I want from Larry is a conversation and some information, that’s all. I know that Larry has family near where I live here in Indiana, I believe that I went to school with 1 or 2 of them. I went out with a girl a few times in high school that told me Larry Sparks was her uncle, her family’s last name was Toney I think. My dad told me probably 20 years ago that Larry lived not too far from him near greensburg in a private gated community, but who knows where he is now. Maybe someday I’ll see him again. Meeting and talking with Larry Sparks is not my all time dream or my lifetime achievement goal or anything like that, it’s just a connection to a piece of my family’s history that I’m after. I never got to know my grandpa Calvin, I know nearly nothing about him or his life other than he once worked for the railroad and he liked playing bluegrass music and running wild with his buddies. There’s an old saying that says you can’t miss something that you never had. Well, I disagree. I’ve been told through the years that he wasn’t the best father or husband, but from what I’ve learned through bits and pieces of time and broken memories, is that Larry knew my grandpa in a way that the rest of the family never did and that was through something that my grandpa did enjoy and did invest his time into, music and his runaround buddies. For my grandpa, I’m told that Larry was one of those buddies. Maybe Larry has no memory of my grandpa, it has been over 50 years ago, but if he does remember, Hopefully one day my questions will have answers.
@Marilee Denr That's so sweet of you to say Dear🤠. Well thanks once again for the love and support you've shown towards my music career 😉 it really means a lot, I'm so overwhelmed🤠 may I know how long you’ve been a fan of my music 🎶
Yes, I was going to say was, "Yes, Ralph had some things going on, being 108, for one!" I'm surprised he sang as well as he did. Those boys did a great job.
I’ve met Larry Sparks a few times over the years, it’s been several years since I’ve seen him in person. There is some history between Larry and my father’s side of my family, although I’ve never been given all of the details. I’m 50 years old and this connection was before my time, back in the 1960’s, possibly the early 70’s before Larry became a famous big name celebrity in the world of bluegrass music. My dad has passed on now, along with aunt Ollie and many others from that generation who knew him personally, so I can’t dig around and press for more information. I have asked about Larry Sparks a few times to grandparents and family that were still living back then, but for some reason unknown to me, every time Larry’s name came up, it wasn’t long before they would get quite and they would start acting different and change the subject. Since I was a young child I’ve heard story’s from time to time (not often) from my family members about the time Larry spent living with them and running around with my grandfather playing music together and trying to hit it big. My grandpa died in 1979 before I could get to know him, but Larry went on and became a big star. I’ve always wanted to have a sit down conversation with Larry and ask him about those times and listen to those stories from his perspective. I went to a couple of his shows when he was in our area several years ago, hoping to talk with him, but there were so many people there who wanted to meet him, and to him I’m just another stranger. My dad and I went to one of his shows in connersville once, and he recognized my dad so they talked for a few minutes but I didn’t get much time for questions. We did get autographed pictures of him with a phone number on the back though. We later called that number and just got a recording with music playing on it, we never did get to talk with him again. I’m just an average person and he’s a well known musical celebrity now, and he’s getting some years on him. I may not ever have that conversation, to Larry I’m just another person who wants something from him , but I sure would love that opportunity if Larry would be willing to share a few minutes of his time with me just for the sake of clarification and understanding. The only thing I want from Larry is a conversation and some information, that’s all. I know that Larry has family near where I live here in Indiana, I believe that I went to school with 1 or 2 of them. I went out with a girl a few times in high school that told me Larry Sparks was her uncle, her family’s last name was Toney I think. My dad told me probably 20 years ago that Larry lived not too far from him near greensburg in a private gated community, but who knows where he is now. Maybe someday I’ll see him again. Meeting and talking with Larry Sparks is not my all time dream or my lifetime achievement goal or anything like that, it’s just a connection to a piece of my family’s history that I’m after. I never got to know my grandpa Calvin, I know nearly nothing about him or his life other than he once worked for the railroad and he liked playing bluegrass music and running wild with his buddies. There’s an old saying that says you can’t miss something that you never had. Well, I disagree. I’ve been told through the years that he wasn’t the best father or husband, but from what I’ve learned through bits and pieces of time and broken memories, is that Larry knew my grandpa in a way that the rest of the family never did and that was through something that my grandpa did enjoy and did invest his time into, music and his runaround buddies. For my grandpa, I’m told that Larry was one of those buddies. Maybe Larry has no memory of my grandpa, it has been over 50 years ago, but if he does remember, Hopefully one day my questions will have answers.
One of my absolute favorites by Ralph.
Thanks for this - cheered me up on a dark day...
Amen he made my day too those guys are good
That is a great song by Larry Sparks in Robstown two of the grades
Wow this is amazing!
What a voice!
Keep the mic stand in your prayers, it was fired after this performance.
How about it...Larry and Ralph
The best!
good
God I love this.Fun times
@Marilee Denr That's so sweet of you to say Dear🤠. Well thanks once again for the love and support you've shown towards my music career 😉 it really means a lot, I'm so overwhelmed🤠 may I know how long you’ve been a fan of my music 🎶
Love it
memories
Mighty fine, Rebecca!
Better than the studio version for me
Ralph doesn't look too happy here wonder what he had going on
Ralph was not well; but he stood in there to the end, doing what he loved.
Yes, I was going to say was, "Yes, Ralph had some things going on, being 108, for one!" I'm surprised he sang as well as he did. Those boys did a great job.