Larry Cordle

Grammy award-winning Larry Cordle is a singer-songwriter, producer, recording artist, and Kentucky Music Hall of Fame member. He is best known for writing mega-hit songs like “Highway 40 Blues” and “Murder On Music Row,” co-written with Larry Shell. In addition, he is featured on numerous collaborative albums and singles, such as the 2022 GMA Dove Award-winning song, “The Sweet By and By,” with Dolly Parton, Carl Jackson, Jerry Salley, and Bradley Walker.

Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, Larry Cordle was born and raised on a small family farm in eastern Kentucky. He is best known for his highly successful songwriting talents, including the #1 hit song, “Highway 40 Blues,” recorded by Ricky Skaggs. In addition, many other artists, such as Alison Krauss, Garth Brooks, George Strait, Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Diamond Rio, Alan Jackson, and have recorded Cordle’s original songs.

Cordle is also an award-winning and chart-topping singer. achieving success with his solo and band albums. He is often featured as a lead and background vocalist on some of Nashville’s most awarded and popular music. In addition, he’s provided harmony vocals for artists such as Garth Brooks, Blake Shelton, and many more.

In 1992, Larry Cordle, Glen Duncan, and Lonesome Standard Time received a 35th Annual Grammy Award Nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for Lonesome Standard Time and took home the 1993 IBMA Song of the Year Award for the title track.” In 2000, the band received a 43rd Annual Grammy Award Nomination for Best Bluegrass Album for Murder On Music Row, with the title track winning the 2000 IBMA Song of the Year Award, which remains one of the most popular songs of his career. In addition, he received an IBMA Song of the Year nomination for “Black Diamond Strings.”

Cordle is featured on Livin, Lovin, Losin: A Tribute to the Louvin Brothers, which won a Grammy for Best Country Album in 2003 and received the IBMA Recorded Event of the Year Award in 2004. Cordle is featured on two tracks of Moody Bluegrass, released in 2004, alongside Tim O’Brien, Alison Krauss, John Cowan, Harley Allen, et al., and again as lead vocalist on Moody Bluegrass II.

In 2006, Celebration of Life: Musicians Against Childhood Cancer won the IBMA Album of the Year Award. In 2011, Cordle released his Americana album, Pud Marcum’s Hangin.” In 2012, he co-produced the IBMA Recorded Event of the Year Award-winning album Life Goes On. The album includes the talents of Larry Cordle, Carl Jackson, Ronnie Bowman, Jerry Salley, and more. In April 2015, Larry Cordle was inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame, celebrating his impressive career in music. The same year he received an IBMA Recorded Event of the Year Award Nomination for the song “Against the Grain” by Larry Cordle & Lonesome Standard Time featuring Garth Brooks, produced by Cordle on Mighty Cord Records.

Watch more unlimited Country content
- aside from music!

Unlimited access to the most high-demand content you want to watch again (and again)
Don’t miss out on your favorite artists and songs!

Country Road Tv

Country Lifestyle Programs – Thousands of hours!

monthly pass

$ 14.99 per month
  • Standard Savings
  • Watch on your laptop, TV, phone & tablet!
  • 30 Days Free
  • Cancel Anytime
  • Watch on AppleTV, Roku & Amazon Fire!
  • Exclusive Video Content not available anywhere else

yearly pass

$ 129.99 per year
  • Standard Savings
  • Watch on your laptop, TV, phone & tablet!
  • 30 Days Free
  • Cancel Anytime
  • Watch on AppleTV, Roku & Amazon Fire!
  • Exclusive Video Content not available anywhere else
Most Popular

Learn More About Larry Cordle

More About Larry Cordle

Larry Cordle is an American singer-songwriter and musician, born on May 16, 1949, in eastern Kentucky. He grew up in a musical family and started playing guitar at a young age. He began his career in the early 1980s as a member of the band Lonesome Standard Time and later formed his own band, The Larry Cordle Band.

Cordle’s music is rooted in traditional country and bluegrass, but he also incorporates elements of gospel and folk into his songs. He is known for his heartfelt lyrics and soulful performances, which have earned him critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase. He has released numerous albums throughout his career, including “Murder on Music Row” and “Give Me Jesus,” both of which received Grammy nominations.

In addition to his work as a musician, Cordle is also a prolific songwriter, having penned hits for some of the biggest names in country music, including Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, and George Strait. He has also collaborated with other notable artists, such as Ricky Skaggs and Alison Krauss.

Cordle’s contributions to the music industry have been recognized with numerous awards, including the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Song of the Year award for his song “Murder on Music Row.” He was also inducted into the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2015.

Despite his success, Cordle remains humble and committed to his craft. He continues to tour and record new music, staying true to the traditional roots that have defined his career.

Where is Larry Cordle From

Larry Cordle was born and raised in a small community in eastern Kentucky, where he grew up surrounded by the rich traditions of bluegrass and country music. As a young boy, he was drawn to the sounds of his father’s guitar and quickly learned to play himself. Over the years, Cordle honed his skills as a musician and songwriter, eventually becoming one of the most respected and sought-after artists in the industry. Despite his success, Cordle has remained true to his roots and continues to draw inspiration from his Kentucky heritage in his music today.

What Songs did Larry Cordle Write

Larry Cordle is a prolific songwriter who has written many hit songs throughout his career. Some of his most notable compositions include:

  • “Highway 40 Blues” – recorded by Ricky Skaggs
  • “Murder on Music Row” – recorded by George Strait and Alan Jackson
  • “Lonesome Standard Time” – recorded by Kathy Mattea
  • “The Fields of Home” – recorded by The Country Gentlemen
  • “You Can’t Take It With You When You Go” – recorded by Gene Watson
  • “The First Step to Heaven” – recorded by Rhonda Vincent
  • “The Lord Knows I’m Drinking” – recorded by Cal Smith

These songs, among many others, showcase Cordle’s talent for crafting thoughtful and emotionally resonant lyrics that speak to the human experience.

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3

    Create Your Account

    Watch thousands of hours of family-friendly, country life style entertainment - anywhere, anytime.

    Select Your Plan

    Choose the plan that's right for you.