The 804 Music Group

Larry Dee started his career at the tender age of five (5) in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. He wrote and sang his first song "I'm a Lonely Boy" when his feet couldn't touch the floor as he played an upright piano. A child protege, Larry was recruited to sing gospel with his sisters under the name "Little Larry Jones and the Jones Sisters". During this period his popularity grew and Little Larry Jones was booked to perform as an opening act for the famous, (Harmonizing Four) and the queen of gospel, (Mahalia Jackson). When he was only fourteen years old, Larry D. Jones learned how to play the bass guitar and put his first soul band "Larry Dee and The Imperial Rockers" together. As a brilliant young music student he learned to play the trumpet in school and as a freshmen became Captain of the Southside High School Marching Band. While in high school Larry Dee formed another Soul and R&B Band called The Eldorado's, a group that became very popular on the club circuit in and around Richmond and Petersburg, Virginia. After graduating, Larry Dee married his high school sweetheart, a marriage that is still going strong, having lasted well over 40 years.

 

 

 

 

Out in the real world, Larry Dee was recruited by one of the areas top club bands, the legendary "Mustangs". It was with the Mustangs that Larry played the proverbial "Chitterling Circuit" all over the south and it is where he developed his reputation as a solid musician and singer, who could stand toe to toe with anybody in R&B. As time moved on, he as a husband and father became aware that economically members of large soul bands didn't make a lot of money, so he made the decision to return to his first instrument; keyboards (a large organ with a built in rhythm machine and bass pedals.) Larry then recruited a guitarist to form what was to become the famous "Funky Two". Now, not only was the money easier to split two ways, but because of his talent and versatility, the "Funky Two" became one of the most popular bands in the area. So, Larry Dee, worked all the time, from small private functions to large clubs and concerts, while performing and taking care of his family. Larry continued to write soulful original compositions. Several of his compositions came to the attention of Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff's publishing arm Mighty Three Music Publishing, Mighty Three Music, subsequently licensed and published several of his compositions. Larry also recorded a rare 45" record entitled "It's No Wonder", which can be found floating around on the internet for a good deal of money. So, as the music industry changed and his responsibilities and family grew, Larry Dee turned to business to support his family. He has had a great deal of success in the Real Estate business, in the Insurance industry, and as General Manager and co-owner of several very successful urban radio stations.

 

In 2015, Larry Dee returned to his first love, "Music". The soulful, original composition "The Night Before Christmas" has the potential to become a big hit and a holiday classic. This song has everything that a Christmas song needs to become a part of everyone's holiday library. Along with classic songs by Mariah Carey, Charles Brown and Donnie Hathaway, Larry Dee's "The Night Before Christmas" is here to stay and will give you sing-along holiday joy for many years to come.

 

Sadly Larry D. Jones passed away in 2022, after losing his wife Shirley earlier in the year. The new Album by Bill McGee "The Tree of Life" is dedicated to Larry and Shirley Jones. It features the title song composed and performed by his equally talented nephew Jay Baxter.

 

Every blue moon a song comes along that changes the game, Bing Crosby’s “White Christmas”, Charles Brown’s “Merry Christmas Baby”, Donny Hathaway’s “This Christmas” and of course Mariah Carey’s “All I want for Christmas is You”. Christmas 2015 marks the debut of another Christmas classic that will be a regular from now until eternity. That song is Larry Dee’s “The Night Before Christmas”, a soulful new Christmas classic that is destined for mandatory Christmas season programming all over the world.  Written and performed by veteran soul singer and organist, Larry Dee. “The Night Before Christmas” is just plain and simple a Christmas Classic straight out of the box. There is no guessing, no pondering, no wondering, the first time you hear it, you know that “The Night Before Christmas” was meant to be shared with friends and family all over the world…  It’s a soulful song with a classic horn tag that will immediately identify the song and trigger a joyful response. The lyrics aren’t sophisticated, the song is about simple Christmas cheer with family love and togetherness. Again, the very first time you listen to this song you will know that it is destined to become a song that has a regular spot on the air waves all around the world… So enjoy your, Eggnog, your cookies, your ham and turkey, family, and whatever else you do as a Christmas tradition. But just remember that everyday throughout the holiday leading up to Christmas and beyond, we’re all hoping and waiting to hear “The Night Before Christmas” by Larry Dee exclusively on 804Soul.

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The International Soul Hit

"I Know You Got Soul"

 

Bill McGee

featuring

Larry Dee, Tom Reaves, James Saxsmo Gates, Brandon Lane

 

 

Contact:

www.804Soul.com

 Available for purchase worldwide at ALL of the digital download providers.

iTunes, CDbaby, Amazon, GrooveMusic

CREDITS

Produced by Larry Dee and Bill McGee

Recorded, Mixed, Mastered by Bill McGee

Lead Vocals, Larry Dee

Composed by Larry D. Jones, ASCAP

Background Vocals, Yolanda Westinghouse, Leandra Wilson, Wanda T. McGee, Larry Dee

Organ and Piano, Larry Dee

All horns, strings and bells arranged and performed by, Bill McGee

Guitar, Tom Reaves – Bass, Juan Nelson

Recorded at The 804MusicGroup - Studio A

mp 2015/2016 Larry D Jones Music Pub., ASCAP – 804Music Group