Larry Jon Wilson

Fiddlin’ Around’s Attic Spotlight

Back in the mid ‘70s, Georgia native Larry Jon Wilson was considered by many to be a bona fide member of the country music “Outlaw” movement– alongside Waylon, Willie, and David Allan Coe. He cut a few albums for Monument, but– for  whatever reason– his recording career didn’t last.

It’s not for lack of talent. Larry Jon was included in a documentary film (made in 1975) about the direction of country music. The film is now available on video under the title “Heartworn Highways”, and it shows clearly how Larry Jon compares favorably with such noted singer/songwriters as Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.

Georgia Public Television recognized Larry Jon’s talent when they chose him as host of their series “Georgia’s Backroads”  (photo available here). The series features several of Larry Jon’s original songs including one- “Georgia Backroads”- written just for the series.

Another performer who got his start in Georgia– Shawn Mullins– became friends with Larry Jon, and the two of them got together last year at Nashville’s Bluebird Café to tape a song swapping session for Turner South’s “Live at the Bluebird”.

Jack Williams (the outstanding singer/songwriter from Columbia, SC) credits Larry Jon as one of the major influences on his early career. Jack had just graduated from the University of Georgia when Larry Jon was making records, and the two have become friends and worked together many times since then.

Many of Guy Clark’s songs paint vivid pictures of his native Texas. Many of Jack William’s songs paint vivid pictures of  his native South Carolina. In that tradition, Larry Jon Wilson’s songs paint vivid pictures of his native Georgia.