Playing with Larry Mitchell

Hey everyone, Kyle Ray here—St. Louis drummer, groove enthusiast, and proud holder of the drum throne for blues titan Jeremiah Johnson. I’ve got a story to share from a night that’s still ringing in my ears: the Guitar Madness show at Diamond Music Hall in St. Peters, Missouri, where I got to share the stage with the one and only Larry Mitchell—yep, the Larry Mitchell, Tracy Chapman’s former guitar wizard. Buckle up, because this was a wild ride!

For the last couple of years, I’ve been laying down the beats for Jeremiah Johnson at most of his shows, and it’s been a blast watching him bring that St. Louis blues fire to every stage. So when Jeremiah hit me up and said, “Kyle, I’m hosting Guitar Madness, and Larry Mitchell’s coming in from out of town—wanna sit in with him?”—I was floored. Honored doesn’t even cover it. Drumming for a guy who’s played with icons like Tracy Chapman, Ric Ocasek, and Billy Squier? That’s a dream gig for any drummer, let alone one from the Gateway City.

The show went down at Diamond Music Hall, a killer spot in St. Peters that’s become a hub for live music around here. Jeremiah, being the blues outlaw he is, put together this Guitar Madness event to showcase some serious six-string talent, and Larry Mitchell was the perfect fit. I’d heard his name plenty—Grammy-winning producer, virtuoso guitarist, total legend—but meeting him in person? That’s when it got real.

Larry rolled into St. Louis, and from the second we shook hands at soundcheck, I could tell he was something special. He’s just a really down-to-earth kind of guy—no rockstar ego, just pure vibe. We’re setting up, and he pulls out this new song I’d never heard before. I’m thinking, “Okay, cool, let’s see where this goes.” He plays it through, and it’s this soulful, intricate piece—total Larry Mitchell magic. Afterward, he looks at me with this chill grin and says, “Don’t worry too much about it. You have great listening skills and instinct—it’ll be fun!” That stuck with me. Here’s a guy who’s toured the world, and he’s trusting me to just feel it and roll with it. Talk about a confidence boost!

The show itself was electric. Jeremiah kicked things off with his signature blues-rock heat, setting the tone for the night. Then Larry took the stage, and I slid behind the kit—my trusty Yamaha Stage Custom ready to roll (though I’ve been known to switch it up with my Tama Superstar walnut-birch depending on the gig). We locked in, and man, it was like riding a wave. Larry’s got this way of weaving guitar textures that’s hypnotic—soulful one second, shredding the next—and my job was to keep that pulse steady, give him room to soar. That new song? We nailed it, instincts and all. The crowd at Diamond Music Hall was eating it up, and I could feel the energy bouncing off the walls.

Playing with Larry was a highlight, but sharing the night with Jeremiah—who’s been a brother-in-arms on this drumming journey—made it even sweeter. Guitar Madness wasn’t just a gig; it was a celebration of what St. Louis music is all about: raw talent, real connection, and a little bit of that Missouri grit. I’m still buzzing from it.

So, what’s next? More shows with Jeremiah, more beats to lay down, and maybe—just maybe—another chance to jam with a legend like Larry Mitchell. If you were at Diamond Music Hall that night, drop me a line—I’d love to hear your take. And if you missed it, keep an eye out for the next Guitar Madness. You won’t wanna sleep on that one.

Until then, I’ll be here, sticks in hand, keeping the St. Louis pulse alive. Catch you at the next gig!

Home