Veteran music industry session drummer Larry Cox launches website for aspiring drummers & voice actors

 

As 2023 draws to a close it also heralds a momentous peak in the realms of budding drummers and voice actors as LarryCoxRocks.com unveils its long-anticipated website. Esteemed drummer and voice actor Larry Cox has initiated this groundbreaking platform committed to fostering talent in these vibrant domains. The website and its contents are meticulously crafted to guide aspiring individuals on their journey towards establishing a professional career in either drumming or voice acting.

After a drumming and concurrent voice acting career that has spanned four decades, Cox combines a harmonious blend of passion and precision, making Larry Cox Rocks the go-to destination for individuals driven by the beat of drums or the resonance of their vocal cords. The platform is set to transform the way aspiring talents hone their skills, and embark on a journey toward professional success.

Music journalist Dino Marcelli caught up with Larry for a quick Q & A regarding a some background about his long career and his desire to embark on such a project and allowed us to use excerpts from that interview:

DM: So, it is my understanding that this website project is the culmination of something that you've been wanting to do since the late 1990's, tell me a little about that.

LC: That's right Dino. My dream has always been to create instructional media, but I was simply too busy throughout my career for such a time-consuming endeavor. So now that I've been mostly retired from mainstream work, I finally had the time to fulfill that dream.

DM: Which came first as a profession, the drumming or the voice acting?

LC: The drumming. My first pro gig was in 1985 with a band called Looker, which was based in Buffalo, New York. We started out playing clubs, you know, the regular routine for a band. Then we got a financial backer and recorded an album, subsequently got picked up by a promoter and ended up touring for about a year opening for Steppenwolf, Kenny Loggins and Cheap Trick during the course of that year. It was a great first experience.

DM: How long did that last?

LC: Just that one year and like most bands, we broke up. So, I headed for Los Angeles to take advantage of some connections I made during that year with Looker.

DM: From our initial conversation, it sounded like things happened pretty quickly for you in LA, tell me about that.

LC: Yes, that's true, things happened pretty fast. I was introduced to an agent who got me gigs with a couple different bands that were fairly popular on the LA club circuit, which was really hopping back in those days. There were so many venues for original music back then, you could gig somewhere three to five times a week. And since I was playing with two bands, I was busy. Anyway, one thing led to another and my exposure got me into the studio, not only with the bands that I was playing with, but other bands and singers that were recording demos for the record labels, which was crazy back then.

DM: Yeah, they were signing bands left and right in the eighties.

LC: Absolutely. So, during the late eighties I ended up recording with a couple of great vocalists that were trying to get record deals and eventually went on to great things later on. One was Johnny Edwards, who eventually went on to sing with Foreigner on their Unusual Heat album. The other was Jeff Scott Soto, who at the time had already sang with Yngwie Malmsteen, so that was super exciting for me. Jeff really went on to big things eventually.

DM: Oh yeah, Jeff is a monster vocalist and his stuff recently with Sons of Apollo is top-notch.

LC: Definitely, he was one of my favorite to work with and a great dude. Have you ever looked at his Wikipedia page?

DM: No I haven't, is it a good read?

LC: Oh man, the bands that he has been part of is one thing, but the list of guest appearances as lead vocalist and backing vocalist is stunning.

DM: I'll have to check it out. Was all of this around the same time you played with Joshua?

LC: Yea, I joined Joshua in 1988 and recorded and played live with them until 1991. Great band and Joshua Perahia is one of the most amazing guitarists in the world. I can't believe that things fizzled out for him, he should have become a household name among musicians.

DM: So almost three years with Joshua, what happened?

LC: Well, it's long story that I really don't want to get into in detail, but it was a sad, sad scenario, because I thought we were going to be huge. We were on the verge of a deal with Warner Brothers and our music attorney Stan Diamond, a legend in the music business, said we were going to be the next Journey. As we were in the process of recording demos for Warner, the singer has an epiphany that he needs to sing Christian music, right then and there while we're in the studio. Warner said, "That's not gonna happen," and everything feel apart the next day. I was devastated.

DM: Damn, that had to be heartbreaking.

LC: Oh, big time. I was ready to hang it up. However, at that time I was getting really busy with session work, I mean really busy. So, since I had no band at that moment, I gobbled up every session I could, jingles, soundtracks for movies, television and video games, artist demos for record labels, and so many other things. It was a grand time for being a session player.

DM: How many sessions would you say you've done in your career?

LC: Oh shit, there's no record of that, but thousands . . thousands for sure. I mean, I'm still doing them almost thirty years later man, who could keep count. I wish that I would have kept a ledger, you know, but when the money keeps rolling in and your so damn busy, who thinks to keep count, you know?

DM: Sure, I get it, that's amazing, it really is. And then you have a guy that plays drums on 3 albums with his band and he's a household name.

LC: (laughter) Right? (more laughter).

DM: So then when did the voice acting thing come along, and how did that come about?

LC: I had been doing voices all my life. I was a huge fan of Mel Blanc, the guy that did all the Looney Tunes and Merry Melodies stuff in the sixties and seventies, Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Sylvester and Tweety, and so much other stuff, so much. Most people have no idea just how many different character he voiced in his long career. I wanted to be that guy! So, when a connection of mine in the music business heard me doing  some voices during a drum recording session in 1999, he was like, "Bro, how come your not a voice actor?" And he knew a guy, so he hooked me up and it just took off from there. Crazy. That was the beginning of juggling two separate careers for the duration.

DM: Wow, people trying to get one career off the ground and you've been slamming two careers that are virtually impossible to get into. Amazing.

LC: (laughter) Hey, don't be hatin' (laughter).

(We thank Dino Marcelli for the uses of these interview excerpts. You can see this interview in its entirety at pitchfork.com under the "Features" section)

For budding drummers and voice actors, Larry Cox Rocks is where dreams take center stage. The site offers a diverse haven where one can access a treasure trove of resources designed to elevate their craft. The site hosts a wide variety of instructional media, tutorials, guidance material and personal coaching options, as well as several podcasts covering different subjects. Whether just starting out, or looking to expand upon one's talent, the platform serves as a comprehensive guide for both beginner and seasoned talents alike.

One of the standout features of the website is the capability for members to request personalized coaching sessions that focus on specific areas of interest, along with the ability to communicate directly with Larry Cox. So, whether you're just starting out, or looking to finesse your technique, Larry Cox Rocks provides an immersive learning experience that transcends physical and geographical boundaries, connecting aspiring talent with a seasoned veteran whose career in drumming and voice acting has spanned four decades.

Beyond the educational aspects of the site, the platform offers in-person social engagement with Larry Cox in the way of clinics, workshops and motivational speaking. Such forums allow groups of like-minded individuals to engage in group learning, vibrant discussions and to interact through real-time learning that transcends virtual boundaries — adding an extra layer of excitement and fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants.

"I believe in the transformative abilities that I possess with my many years of experience," says site creator Larry Cox. "My mission is to empower aspiring drummers and voice actors, providing them with the tools, knowledge, and inspiration they need to turn their passions into professions. The launch of my website is a significant step towards realizing this vision."

Larry Cox Rocks is a visionary platform dedicated to nurturing talent in the realms of drumming and voice acting. With a commitment to education, motivation, and inspiration Larry Cox Rocks is poised to become the ultimate launchpad for aspiring drummers and voice actors everywhere.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Jonathan Beacon
Artist Relations Manager
artists@cnsenterprises.com

Connect with Larry:
Official Website: LarryCoxRocks.com