Ask a New Yorker: Talk to me Larry, how long have you been playing the bass?
Larry: I’ve been playing the bass for around 29, 30 years. It keeps me
sane. It keeps me out of trouble. It’s fun. You have to forgive me I’m
a little sniffly out here. The weather has gotten to me.
Ask a New Yorker: Yeah, flu season is upon us…so what’s up with
the cap; it’s cool, besides keeping your ears warm.
Larry: It’s just something I saw in a store. I thought it was cool and
I just sport it around every now and then. That’s all. Not like I’m
trying to fake a military look but I always did kind of dig these flight caps.
That’s all.
Ask a New Yorker: So you’re playing the bass…what’s the sound?
Larry: Well when I’m out here on the streets I mostly play a lot of funk,
some R&B and some rock stuff. I try to show that I’m versatile. Unfortunately
life has taken some turns where right now this is my only means of support.
Trying to get work man, can be really discouraging to hear people walk by and
look at you and say, “Oh, you’re good”… You know, o.k.,
but there’s no money in the bucket. Well, you know, like o.k. , great,
fine…after playing 30 years, I hope I’m good. Show some appreciation
otherwise. It helps that I like this. This is a stress
treatment aside from my day to day living right now, until things turn around.
I come out and play and try to hustle up some work. I have a few students that
I teach. I’ve gotten studio work out of this, nothing major. Obviously, nothing
major where I could afford stop playing on the street. To be honest, if someone
posed the question to me that if my situation had changed to where I could be
all nice and comfortable and money is no object , money is not a worry any more,
I probably would still come out and do this. Because I like it. It’s fun.
I meet cool people. Just being out and about, man. This is what New York is
about. Stuff like this. I think I’m adding to the personality to the city,
so to speak. That’s why I do this, that’s part of why I do this.
Ask a New Yorker: The life of an artist.
Larry: Legally I can’t say to anybody “pay me!”…I do
what I can out here. It’s hard. I’ve got to admit. You know I guess
at my age, now, sometimes I kick myself, but not too hard. But I do. I remember
in the early days when it was like, ‘Oh man I just want to play, I love
music’….I did not understand the value of my craft . And now that
I do, I see how much I gave away for free. Just because I was happy for the
opportunity to play. Now I don’t mean to, and I hope I don’t but
I can see where I could come off sometimes as arrogant. Because I get a lot
of like….
At this point in the interview some guy starts snapping Larry’s picture….Larry
turns his back
Larry: I don’t like people taking my picture with out…anyways.
I get a lot of college guys always saying, “Aw, man you’re awesome,
you’re great. I want to start a band”.
Photographer guy continues snapping away at Larry as we’re speaking.
Larry: Excuse-moi si vous plait, monsieur. Would you please at least show me
the respect to ask for a picture? I’m not a statue.
Photographer guy: You never know who is taking your picture, dude.
Larry: That is true too, but hey, who are you that I would want you to take
my picture? You did not offer me any love.
Photographer guy: You’re not in Iraq. (I have no idea why this guy said
this)
Ask a New Yorker: Picture taker guy, who are you?
Photographer guy: Well I shot everybody from The Stones to Rod Stewart, the
Beatles…everybody.
Ask a New Yorker: Put some money in the bucket then.
Photographer guy: This guy is a rockin’ dude, he seriously is.
Larry: I don’t mean to be rude.
Photographer guy: You’re not being rude. You’re just being real.
Larry: Do you know how many people stick cameras in my face and keep on going?
Photographer guy: You’re a public guy.
Larry: If I was a famous cat, I would have to accept that. I’m just a
dime a dozen bass player trying to make a few bucks. At 45 years old, dude,
I’m not trying to be famous, I’m trying to pay the bills. Getting
back to what I was saying…
Ask a New Yorker: Picture taker, you never gave to the bucket.
Photographer guy: You guys have a good life.
He walks off.
Larry: You do the same…It’s stuff like that man, people walk by
and take your picture and they keep on going. At least acknowledge I’m
a person. Ask if you can take a picture. Show a guy some support. I’m
out here on the fricking street, for God’s sake, playing music in this
cold ass weather. Actually it’s not that cold today. I don’t mind
being one of those faceless guys. If I could get 2,3,4 gigs a week, a couple
hundred a gig I would be happy with that. I’m surviving now, I’m
trying to get back to living and taking care of my nine year old daughter. That’s
what I’m about.
Ask a New Yorker: You’re a talented, good guy. Is there any contact info
you can give in case someone sees this? And thanks for your time.
Larry: my email is wmdbassplayer@excite.com
