Larry Kimball's
Personal Interview

My musical training began when I was 11, with piano lessons from Mrs. Branch and singing in the youth choir at the First Presbyterian Church of Lead, S.Dak. Fortunately, the piano lessons lasted only three years, as I think Mrs. Branch suffered far too much for her $10 a month. But piano lessons helped me get into the percussion section of the school band, which I enjoyed tremendously throughout Jr. & Sr. High School.

During summers Back in the Black Hills I marched with the Homestake Marching band at local parades, pageants, and concerts. We wore miner-styled outfits, because our sponsor was the Homestake Mining Company. In the winter I played bongos at then-popular Catholic youth masses, playing folk music adapted to the Church.

Following high school graduation I traded my upright piano for a guitar out of practical necessity. Then I put music on the back burner and started a career and family, performing regularly at home for my family and in the occasional living room, usually with a glass or two of cheer.

In the past five years I have stepped up my music, performing original folk-rock with Charred Remains, a 4-piece electric band, dinner music with Fran Gack at area restaraunts, along with the occasional wedding or banquet.

I now play with Northwind Crossing, which has been a great experience, and hope to continue as long as I have strings and fingers.