Pittsburgh Post-Gazette from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania • Page 58

73 HP 7. PMmwA is In his teens, Jones got his first music job with the band of fiddler Pinky Shoemaker from neighboring Mustard Hollow. Next, Jones learned stage confidence during three years with Frankie Grill and the Saddle Buddies, another local band. Later, playing bass in the house band at Salem, Ohio's Ponderosa Park, he was spotted by Tanya Tucker who hired him in the early 1970s when her bass player quit. Jones recalled, "But I didn't want to just be a bass player foe a big star.

I wanted to sing be a star myself." So he came home, put together the Sidemen and gained a following in the Pittsburgh area. That allowed him to be home in Elizabeth, where he and his wife raised two sons. He is the highest profile country performer in the area, opening for many national acts and starring in his own concerts at local nightspots. In 1985, Jones and his Sidemen beat out 40 other bands to win the Marlboro Talent Roundup and ended up sharing the bill at the Civic Arena with Ricky Skaggs, the Statler Brothers, Ronnie Milsap and Lee Greenwood. But now with the upcoming national release of his new album, he reduced performances to just a few acoustic concerts last month with band member Jim Relja.

Meanwhile, he's rehearsing with the entire Sidemen band "so we'll be ready to tour if the album h's-" Jerry Sharpe covers country music for the Post-Gazette. Then the next time, I went more traditional with lots of steel guitar. First thing we knew, up came Reba McEntire taking the music away from the traditional." This time, Jones' new album, following in the footsteps of stars currently at the top, aims at various sounds under country music's big umbrella hopefully something for everybody delivered in Jones' distinct traditional country baritone. Material on the 11 -song album ranges from the straight-ahead country "One Song At A Time" to the pop ballad duct with local singer Kim Alexander "Ain't No Reason." In between are the two-stepper "The Ball We Had Last Night" and the weeper "I Can't Stand To Be Alone." Another plus is that recording was done in Nashville with proven studio musicians, including Brent Mason on lead guitar and Bruce Watkins on fiddle and rhythm guitar. Jones' country roots and 23-year career are what interested Tom Cossie, president of Dormont-based Saturn Records.

"This is our first country album. But marketing surveys show that it's the fastest growing music today," said Cossie, who was with RCA and several other record companies before launching Saturn Records 13 years ago- "Larry's the real thing. That's another reason I got interested in working with him," Cossie added. That opinion was shared by Jones' manager, promoter Ron Brown of Hampton, "Larry grew up with country. That's why he sounds just right in it.

Anybody in the country music business can quickly see the big difference between someboby who grew up with MUSIC Homegrown and how Larry Lee Jones is looking to hitch a ride to fame By Jerry Sharpe After two tries at national fame in country music, local star Larry Lee Jones is sure the third time is the right time. The king of Pittsburgh area country singers has good reasons for his bright outlook: His new album "One Song At A Time" will ship to stores across the nation on Tuesday through the powerful 1NDI group, a network of independent record companies. Meanwhile, five regional country stations and 30 -more across the nation are playing the first single "Ain't No Reason." He's been signed by Buddy Lee Attractions, one of Nashville's highest-powered booking agents. And this time he doesn't expect any sudden changes in country music like tlx; ones that blew away his earlier chances. "I missed in the past, mostly I think because of unexpected changes," says the 43-year-old singer.

"At a time when backup was more lush, I came out with some strings, too, only to find that Ricky Skaggs shot up the charts bringing back traditional country. Larry Lee Jones is planning his next move "One Song at a Time." bearded, rugged-looking singer grew up in Skillet Hill near West Newton in Westmoreland County, where the folks loved country music. And so, he was taught guitar pickin' and singin' by neighbors Walt Salzer and Chuck Mathers. CAHGPTS EAST ST FRIDAY NIGHT IS SINGLES NIGHT AT CAHOOTS! ALL SINGLES PAY ONLY 'I COVER CHARGE lfi ll I li kin con the music and rockers who've converted." They're right about Jones. He's as country as biscuits and gravy.

For instance, his name sounds like it was coined for the stage, but it really is his real name. The tall, RESTAURANT and LOUNGE SAT 2660 Library Road, Rt. 88 882-8000 682-1211 ncrAnc UCV.AUC THE MAGIC'S BACK Tonilt THE CLARKS I Saturday TORttN FRAYED MUSICIANS CLUB: 2 JAiyiES KING USUAL SUSPECTS Tonight POM'S 1 ROCK A ROLL BAND HIGH I VOLTAGE Happy Hour 9 p.m.-1 1 p.m. 381 3 Wm. Penn Monroeville 373-21 12 Limoiuics The Editor John Craig 11 GOV.

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