Larry Sparks stays with it

By DICKSON MERCER
Staff writer

For Larry Sparks, 2005's "40" was an album that could have capped a career that spans as many years.
On each track, Sparks, a self-described "stylist," sings bluegrass numbers the way he always has, but does so alongside numerous special guests — Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Rhonda Vincent, Ralph Stanley, Ricky Skaggs.
Of Sparks' then-20 releases, none before it had garnered as much attention. Even still, Sparks is hardly ready to call it quits.
Since "40," the 62-year-old musician has released four more albums and continues taking gig requests as they come.
Not only that, he said he's close to finishing a new album for Rounder Records. (Sparks' relationship with Rounder was said to have ended with "40," and the four released since were with as many different labels.)
In 1967, Ralph Stanley hired Sparks to replace his brother, Carter Stanley, who had died the previous year. About two years later, though, Sparks departed Ralph Stanley and His Clinch Mountain Boys and formed his ongoing band, The Lonesome Ramblers.
Bluegrass has been Sparks' trade since he was 16, but he said retirement is not something he desires. In fact, it's not really a viable option: "You get out while the sun shines or you don't get it," he said.
On Sunday, Sparks will perform a mixture of songs that span his career and even take some requests at the American Legion in Hughesville.
Speaking on the phone from his home in Indiana, he talked about life after "40" and shared some older memories, too. More...