On the Cover – Blaine Larsen
8/29/2005 – September 2005 Artist Roster
Label: BNA/Giantslayer
Booking: Monterey Peninsula Artists, James YelichÂ
Management: Morris Management, Clint Higham
Producers: Rory Lee Feek and Tim Johnson
Current Single: “The Best Man”
Current Album: Off To Join The World.
Current Video: “The Best Man”
Birth Date: Feb. 2
Interests: Presidential history, aviation
Interesting Facts: Co-wrote “That’s Just Me” with his high school math teacher
Hits: “How Do You Get That Lonely”
Musical Influences: George Strait, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Jimmy Buffett, Eagles, Frank Sinatra, Merle Haggard
Blaine Larsen’s newest single “The Best Man” was written for his stepfather Woody, who inspired more than just a song, he initiated Blaine’s love for country music. Growing up in Washington state, Blaine would accompany Woody, who he now calls Dad, on weekend jobs and in the truck they would listen to country music. Blaine grew to love the music, particularly singing along with the karaoke tapes that his Dad brought home. At age 13, Blaine began selling birdhouses he made by hand and saved enough money to buy his first guitar. He taught himself to play and sing, eventually performing at school assemblies and earning a standing Friday night gig at the nearby Godfather’s Pizza. Planning to record a few tracks for a CD to sell at shows back in Washington, Blaine and his parents came to Nashville. A local producer and songwriter named Rory Lee Feek had gotten word of Blaine’s talent and stopped by the studio to check him out. Together with Tim Johnson, Feek started Giantslayer Records to record and release Blaine’s first album. The project made its way into the hands of RLG head Joe Galante. Blaine was signed to BNA Records to release the album in conjunction with Giantslayer exactly as it was originally recorded. He had a hand in writing six of the album’s 11 tracks including “The Best Man.” Blaine explains, “This song tells the story of my family. Dad is the best man I know, and when he and my mom got married when I was 12 years old, he asked me to be his best man. I was so proud. Just before I turned 18, he legally adopted me. It means everything to me to be able to say thanks to him through this song.” To date, Larsen has opened for Kenny Chesney and sold over 150,000 copies of his debut album, Off To Join The World.
