Larry Stephenson’s 20th Anniversary CD, with the delightfully appropriate title 20th Anniversary, was released earlier this week on his brand new label, Whysper Dream Music. The label takes its name from he and Dreama’s baby girl, Falon Whysper, whose birth in April 2009 was the culmination of many years of dreams and prayers.
The new company was formed in the aftermath of Pinecastle Records shutting down on February 1, with almost no notice to artists or business associates. 20th Anniversary was already scheduled for a 2/23 release, so Larry had to scramble to get all the ducks lined up in time to keep the date, which had been announced months ago.
Whysper Dream has obtained the master and all rights to 20th Anniversary from Pinecastle, and a new edition with modified packaging is on the way. All wholesale and retail distribution will come through the new label. A web site is in progress now, and you can reach them now through Larry’s site.
Larry is hopeful that he will also be able to offer his back catalog projects once they get past this initial release.
As for 20th Anniversary, it is meant to convey precisely what the title suggests. Larry shared a few thoughts with us last year when he was finishing up work on the project, which has him in the studio with some of the talented pickers and singers with hwom he has been associated over the past two decades.
“The guests I have are some of my best friends and people I admire and respect in the music business. Dudley Connell, Sonny Osborne, Ronnie Reno, David Parmley, Dale Ann Bradley, Del McCoury, Dailey & Vincent, Connie Smith, Marty Stuart, Ricky Skaggs, Aubrey Haynie, Ben Surratt, and Kenny Ingram who has been with me since January.
We recorded new songs and old songs that are favorites of mine that I’ve always wanted to record. All the guests were awesome and I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we have.”
The songs feature Larry with a variety of singers, and particularly highlight his skills as a duet and trio vocalist. Here he is with Ricky Skaggs:
My Old Kentucky And You: [http://media.libsyn.com/media/thegrasscast/my_old_kentucky.mp3]
…and with bluegrass vocal superstars Dailey & Vincent:
Give This Message To Your Heart: [http://media.libsyn.com/media/thegrasscast/message_to_your_heart.mp3]
You can hear samples from all 13 tracks online.
