Country musician Larry Fleet's style is dripping with soul.
Influenced by Otis Redding, Ray Charles, Etta James, and more, Fleet is aware of the vibe he brings to not only his songwriting but his stage presence.
Born in White Bluff, Tennessee, Fleet was drawn to music from a young age. It was hard not to be, with White Bluff sitting a mere 30 minutes from Nashville and a family full of musicians surrounding his childhood. It was inevitable that 6-year-old Fleet would start playing and singing in his family's bluegrass band.
As he grew as a singer/songwriter, Fleet moved to Chattanooga before heading to Nashville, something many musicians do to test their chops. After an early publishing deal fell through, he continued working as a manual laborer and electrician to support himself and his wife while writing songs.
His big break came in 2017 when Jake Owen, a successful singer/songwriter in his own right, saw Fleet performing at a friend's barn wedding.
Fleet told Holler magazine that Owen approached him to ask him who he had a record deal with. Taken aback, Fleet explained he wasn't signed and was doing concrete work for money. The two struck up a deal: Larry Fleet would come on the road as Jake Owen's opening act, and if it didn't work out, well, no hard feelings.
The rest of the story reads like a fairy tale.
Fleet placed second on the country music TV show "Real Country," by which time he had a handful of independent singles under his belt, including "Wasted Time," "Working Man" and "Die Young."
His debut single, "Where I Find God," which he wrote with Nashville-based songwriter Connie Harrington, emerged from his "Gospel Song Sunday" series that he developed for his social media and garnered him a solid following.
His easygoing, humble demeanor is also partly responsible for his relatability and devoted fans. He writes from the heart, using his own experiences with his faith, family and music as the inspiration for his writing.
But it isn't just relatability that keeps people coming back for more. Fleet is skilled at writing thoughtful lyrics, establishing the right hooks and mixing his soulful vibe with the familiar country twang.
Stack of Records, his 2021 album, proves he can match wits with the finest writers and musicians in town. Fleet, who co-wrote all of the tracks on the album, exposes his soul, thoughts, and feelings to the degree that only the most talented can accomplish.
A baritone voice and a hopeful country twang make Larry Fleet one of the country musicians you'll be glad you saw live. Get tickets to see Larry Fleet live on tour today at Ticketmaster.