Larry Muhoberac

Larry Muhoberac (né Lawrence Gordon Muhoberac, Jr.; born 12 February 1937 Louisiana) is an American musician, producer, and composer who at various times has also been known as Larry Owens and Larry Gordon.^[1]

Muhoberac is widely known as the original keyboardist in Elvis Presley’s TCB Band. He first appeared live with the group at Presley’s Hotel International debut in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 31, 1969,^[2] however, on Elvis' next gig also in Vegas, on February 1970, Larry wasn't on the band anymore, with Glen Hardin replacing him on piano. Other members were James Burton (lead guitar), Jerry Scheff (bass), John Wilkinson (rhythm guitar) and Ronnie Tutt (drums).

Muhoberac was raised in Louisiana and began playing accordion and piano at age five. He went on the road with Woody Herman at 20, and moved to Memphis, Tennessee in 1959. In 1961, then known as Larry Owens, his band played two of Presley’s Memphis charity concerts.^[3]

He moved to the West Coast in the early sixties to work as a studio musician. There, Presley first recruited him to work on his movie soundtracks.^[4] He developed a reputation as a top player, working first with Elvis and later with Neil Diamond, Tina Turner, Ray Charles, Tanya Tucker, Ray Conniff and Barbra Streisand among others. Later in his career he arranged and conducted for numerous top acts including Seals & Crofts and Contemporary Christian band The Archers. He emigrated to Australia in 1986 where he continues to produce and arrange.

He is married to Andra Willis, a former vocalist on The Lawrence Welk Show. He composed the opening theme, entitled "Interlude", to The Joy of Painting.

His sons, Jamie Muhoberac and Parrish Muhoberac, are also well known session musicians, arrangers, producers, and engineers.

Selected discography

• Nancy & Lee Again (1972) Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood (Arranger)
• Woman (1973) Nancy Sinatra (Arranger)
• Cherry Smiles: The Rare Singles (2009) Nancy Sinatra (leader, piano)
• Frankie & Johnny (1966) Elvis Presley (keyboards)
• Paradise Hawaiian Style (1966) Elvis Presley (keyboards)
• Speedway (1968) Elvis Presley (keyboards)
• Stay Away Joe (1968) Elvis Presley (keyboards)
• Elvis: In Person At The International Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada [LIVE] April 1970 (keyboards)
• Elvis On Stage: February 1970 –LIVE- (keyboards)
• Rock Requiem (1971) Lalo Schifrin
• Stony End (1971) Barbra Streisand (keyboards)
• Summer Breeze (1972) Seals & Crofts (keyboards/arrangements)
• Diamond Girl (1973) Seals & Crofts (keyboards/arrangements)
• I Am I Said (1973) Neil Diamond (keyboards)
• Fresh Surrender (1976) The Archers (Arrangements/keyboards)
• TNT (1978) Tanya Tucker (keyboards)
• Stand Up! (1979) The Archers (Producer/Arranger/keyboards)

External links

• Interview with Larry Muhoberac http://www.elvis.com.au/presley/interview_with_larry_muhoberac.shtml
• BMI Composer search http://repertoire.bmi.com/
• Elvis Presley & The TCB Band http://www.elvis.com.au/
• The Trickster website http://chervokas.typepad.com/trickster/2004/10/elvis_presely_a.html
• Official James Burton website http://www.james-burton.net/elvispresley.html
• Discogs.com http://www.discogs.com/artist/Larry+Muhoberac
• TNT from Answers.com http://www.answers.com/topic/t-n-t

References