Children’s Book Author

Larry is a children's book author publishing under his ReadSing label.  His books contain a c-d of his original songs, which, along with professional voiceovers, brings the characters in his stories to life. He has a stockpile of written material in journals, notepads, scraps of paper, and notebooks containing lyrics, songs, poetry, more notes—voluminous notes from-- again, life--life experiences and his observations.

His book, Fragilly, is about Sam the Alaskan Polar Bear who journeys southward towards the Bears of Brown who know all about honey.  Dirty Dan, a melodrama, is about a no good man from out of the west.  Eddie and Betsy, a two itsy bitsy spider tale, describe how they manage to get stuck in Sam’s backpack.  Their mission is to seek a safe warm place to live.  They find a warm spot in the backyard tucked away in Cal and Emilee’s summer sleeping tent. During their travels these two friendly spiders sing about The Place—yet another original song by this singer-songwriter.

The conclusion of their tale points to Larry’s next story idea Tell Me Moon. Lots of his original stars and moon and galaxy songs will be featured in this next c-d ReadSing Book.  Currently he has at least nine or ten story ideas on the board.

The Early Years

Larry has roots in southwestern Pennsylvania where he grew up in the friendly, green, rolling hills of Pennsylvania.  Early on he displayed an interest in music. He remembers receiving recognition in his elementary school years and was selected to sing in the county chorus.  As a youngster he enjoyed singing a capella vocal harmonies with his dad and his siblings.

Larry recalls his aunt’s account about his father who played a practical joke on her while she was sitting in a sofa.  His dad made a voice recording of a song, hid behind the sofa, and played his recording.  As she listened to the song, she thought it was Bing Crosby crooning the tune.  Suddenly he jumped up from behind the sofa, scared her silly and together, they laughed at the joke.  Larry attributes genetics and natural gifts for any voice talent he may possess for singing.  

For a brief time he took trumpet lessons at a local music shop, but quickly gave that up and gravitated towards the guitar.  He then began his dream of becoming a Rock ‘n Roll Star.  But, his music and guitar playing took an entirely different path.  After completion of military Air Force service Larry travelled west, discovered San Diego, California, looked up in the sky and thought:  “Sun or snow shovel?  Sun or snow shovel?”  Sun won!  Larry said he never looked back except for visits with family and friends and occasional performances in the area before his hometown audience.  Currently he resides in southern California with his wife.

Professional Entertainer

Now, Larry is a well established, family-friendly professional entertainer. But, it wasn’t always that way. It was during those early years in southern California that Larry developed his multifaceted talents as a musician, magician, singer/songwriter, pantomime artist, accomplished juggler, and creator of dozens of colorful, theatrical characters.  One of his earlier characters was the sophisticated, saucy, Star The Mime who performed in such venues as Horton Plaza, a redevelopment shopping/tourist area in San Diego.  Sad, but loveable and comic, Trollee The Tramp, was at the opening of the San Diego Trolley, and, helped celebrate the opening of Pittsburgh’s Trolley Line known as the T in Pennsylvania.

Guitar playing Stu Mulligan serves as front guy for Larry’s long time friend and associate, Jerry Hager, who often times runs the puppet shows and other characters that they have both perfected along the way.  Jerry is an accomplished mime as well.  They continue to perform at the San Diego County Fair, one of many of Larry’s professional performance venues.

Somehow during those hectic, learning years of honing his many talents, he managed to earn a BA degree from San Diego State University and an AA in Dramatic Arts from San Diego City College.

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