Used with permission of CMA Closeup News Service
By Amanda Eckard
A moving letter from Blaine Larsen's classmate to a Nashville songwriter/producer provided the high school student with the chance to follow his dreams to Music City.
Larsen's classmate used a family connection to songwriter Rory Lee Feek to introduce him to Larsen's music. Feek invited the 15-year-old Larsen to record an album with he and songwriter Tim Johnson as producers. Seattle radio station KMPS-FM started playing his single, "In My High School," and a BMG distribution representative in Seattle took notice and called RCA Label Group Chairman Joe Galante. After visiting Larsen's Web site, Galante invited him to audition.
Born in Tacoma, Wash., Larsen grew up in California until his parents divorced when he was 5. He moved with his mother and sister to the small town of Buckley, Wash.
As the long distance relationship with his father fizzled, Larsen grew close to Woody, a family friend who did carpentry jobs for his family. Woody took Larsen under his wing and eventually fell in love with and married Larsen's mother.
Woody exposed Larsen to Country Music and, influenced by George Strait, he took up the guitar at 13. After getting discouraged at his playing ability, Larsen set the guitar aside.
The young man picked the guitar back up in high school, learned how to play, performed at school events and around town and recorded a CD in his home.
Off To Join The World, Larsen's BNA Records debut album featuring single "How Do You Get That Lonely," was released in January. Larsen co-wrote six of the 10 songs.
IN HIS OWN WORDS:
Do you have a lucky charm?
"I don't have a lucky 'charm,' but I do have a lucky T-shirt. I got it at a George Strait concert. It says 'Property of George Strait Road Crew' on the front. I always wear it when I am in the studio because it reminds me of where I started playing music and how much George's music influenced me. So far, it hasn't failed me, so I think I'll keep it around for a while."
When they look back on your life in 50 years, what do you hope people say about you?
"I would want people to say that I was a person who lived an extraordinary life and contributed to the well being of our country in all that I did."
What does Country Music mean to you?
"Country Music to me is the best America has to offer. Country Music has always been the one format to speak to everyday people and their lives. That's why I most relate to Country Music and why I love it . because it's real."
What moment in your life would you relive if you could?
"I would relive the moment when Rory (my producer) and I walked out of our first meeting with Joe Galante and we looked at each other and said 'this could change our lives.' We took a picture of us outside the building, just in case that meeting turned into something. Well, it did. That was the meeting when RLG decided to sign me."
Blaine Larsen is scheduled to appear at 2005 CMA Music Festival that takes place in Downtown Nashville, Thursday - Sunday, June 9-12. His performance is on Friday, June 10 @ 2:00 p.m. on the Greased Lightening® Daytime Stages. Four-day ticket packages for CMA Music Festival are on sale now. Packages are divided into four categories, based on the level of reserved seating at The Coliseum. Ticket packages include the Nightly Concerts at The Coliseum; Daily Concerts at Greased Lightning® Daytime Stages; daily admittance to the Wrangler® Fan Fair (Exhibit Hall) featuring the Acoustic Corner; Bush's® Baked Beans Family Zone; Fun Zone; Sports Zone and performance stage; CMA Music Festival After HoursT; free in-town shuttles; the CMA Music Festival Program Book; CMA Music Festival pin; and more.