Larry Hanks the Mouth Harp Maestro

I've known Larry Hanks through my wife (her mother's long-time "life" partner) for quite a few years now. Aside from being a good friend and an all-around great guy, he's a very gifted musician. He's been heavily involved in the old time/folk music scene for decades, and has worked with the likes of Jerry Garcia, Janis Joplin, Malvina Reynolds, Utah Phillips, etc. I think the only reason he doesn't share the widespread public name recognition of his contemporaries (outside of his fellow musicians), is that he's such a modest guy and would rather play independent music festivals and small stage venues than bask in any major spotlight. The guy plays a mean Jew's harp, real folksy acoustic guitar, and can belt out lead or background bass vocals, no problem.

Here's a video of him playing Reuben's Train with The Squirrelly Stringband at the Berkeley Old Time Music Convention.

His collaboration with a musician by the name of Mike Marker, "The Truth for Certain," is easily his best album and a must purchase for fans of American old time/folk music. If you're interested in picking up a copy, let me know and I'll put you in touch with Larry...