Larry Mitchell is a Grammy Award-winning producer, engineer and performer who has toured the world playing guitar with well-known artists including Tracy Chapman, Billy Squier, Ric Ocasek, and Miguel Bosé. In his original compositions, Larry skillfully weaves guitar textures that showcase his virtuosity as a solo artist and ensemble player.
As an artist, he has released 9 solo records and won a San Diego Music Award for best pop jazz artist. As a producer-engineer, Larry has won 26 New Mexico Music Awards in various categories from pop, adult contemporary, rap, rock, country, and Native American music. He won a Grammy Award for producing, engineering, and performing on “Totemic Flute Chants” by artist Johnny Whitehorse, who is better known as Robert Mirabal of Taos Pueblo.
Larry is currently touring with his own trio, as well as with Native American artists Shelley Morningsong, Dawn Avery, Joy Harjo, and Robert Mirabal. He has many long-standing endorsements and relationships with companies such as D’Adarrio Strings, D’Marzio Pickups, Tech 21 NYC, Dava Picks, Majik Box, Fractal Audio, Composite Acoustics, Hotone, Samson, Keeley Electronics, and now with Knaggs Guitars and Godin Acoustic Guitars.
We’re really happy to have Larry Mitchell as one of our artists for this year’s UKE CON Festival! And that’s why we decided to borrow him for this writing stage so he can tell us more about himself and his music career. Bring it on, Larry!
Larry Mitchell, How did you get started with music and what lead you to the guitar?
Ha! My mom threw my Toy Drum set out the window when I kept playing it after she asked me to stop.
Who are your role models in the guitar world? Any ukulele players at all? (haha)
I love Eric Johnson and Andy Timmons. Both out of Texas. I’m a huge Prince fan, Eddie Van Halen, Andy Summers, Steve Stevens, and Steve Vai.
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Where do you get your creative inspiration from?
Traveling, experiences, meeting new and interesting people, and jamming with others!
What 3 tips can you give to people that are starting to learn and improve on the ukulele or guitar?
- Play everyday, even if it’s just for 5 minutes. 5 minutes is better everyday than 3 hours one day and not touching it again for 2 or more days. You should touch the instruments at least once every day.
- Be consistent in your practice. There is practice and then there is playing. Playing is great. But when you practice, be consistent.
- Always make it musical. If you have a hard time playing something fast, slow it down and always do your best to make music.
What lessons have you learned from being a performer/influencer/musician?
Humility, sharing, listening, and CONNECTING with others.
ABOUT THE UKE-CON FESTIVAL 2022:
What are you excited about for the UKE-CON Summer Uke Festival?
Meeting and possibly playing with some of the other players.
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What are you most looking forward to at UKE-CON?
The vibe and connection with other players and the attendees.
Tickets are almost sold out! Do you have any words to the attendees (both in person and virtual)?
If you love music, listen with an open heart. If you play, play with an open heart. Be open to learning, listening, sharing, caring, and you will have a great time!
UKE-CON is a great opportunity for people to connect with their ukulele teachers/artists/mentors. What do you like the most about being part of this community?
The Connection, for sure.
ABOUT YOU:
What are you currently working on (professionally and personally) that you are excited about?
I just got back from teaching and running a Jam Class at Steve Vai’s Vai Academy 6.0. I’m producing a rock singer, and a Native American Cellist as well as mixing an Abstract Classical Native Composers record. I’m also going to start working on my new record in December 2022.
What is your favorite quote or words of wisdom can you share with us?
Quote in a song by my friend Zach Friedhof: “When i’ve gave all my love and i’ve gone home. They’ll say i was here and i put a little dent in fear I made some one smile”.
Share one funny story about yourself that most people don’t know.
Having Dubai airport security officers sing Bob Marley songs to me while I was at the urinal in the men’s room was both funny and frightening at the same time, because I had no idea of what was going on. They followed me into the men’s room after I walked passed them. Then they just lined up in hit squad formation behind me as I was using the urinal, and started singing 🙂
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How can people learn more about you and reach out to you? Do you have a website/store/channel where people can find your content?
I do two weekly live streams on Twitch:
- Tuesday 9pm EST Electric guitar Rocking tones
- Sundays 9pm EST Acoustic guitar, Ukelele textures and Mellow vibes
You can also find my music and next shows on my website and my Instagram account.
Awesome!!! We’re really excited to see you at the UKE-CON Festival 2022 in San Diego, California, on August 27th.
Preparing the engines in 3……… 2……… 1……!
Yes!! Me too!!!
1 comment
Blown away by jam session with TC and Larry.