Life & Work with Larry “Mr. Nashville” Ferguson

Today we’d like to introduce you to Larry “Mr. Nashville” Ferguson.

Hi Larry, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
After years of concert promotions in my native Louisville, KY. I was asked by singing/songwriting legend, Dottie Rambo to become her manager. I relocated to Nashville and we traveled the country together until we were in a tour bus crash that killed her and sidelined me.

Once I was able to get stronger, I started producing music and tend to gravitate more to legends. I’ve been very blessed to have produced songs or full projects with Carol Channing, Little Richard, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Patti Page, Solomon Burke, and many other great artists.

I started doing the “Mr. Nashville Talks” show about four years ago and interviewed my friends who were artists and it kept growing. I’ve had the pleasure now of having stand up comics, Hollywood actors/actresses, country singers, it’s been one of the most fun things I’ve done.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The worst struggle was in 2008 while touring with Dottie Rambo our tour bus crashed dropping 95 feet forward and backward. The crash killed Dottie, who was like my mom and a grandmother to my two sons (they called her Grand Dot). My boys were banged up bad but had no broken bones. I lost my entire right femur, broke my left leg, jaw in four places, fractured my pelvis, cracked my skull, and suffered a head injury.

Then several surgeries later I still live in chronic pain but I don’t let it sideline me. Starting the “Mr. Nashville Talks” chat series really has helped me keep busy while also enjoying myself. Not long after the tour bus crash my wife left and we divorced and I became a full-time dad. So my traveling days became limited and I decided then to produce projects and later do the “Mr. Nashville Talks” chat show.

My sons were both “Daddy Boys” growing up and it was really hard on them seeing me struggle with physical pain and then divorce. My oldest son, Christian is a student at Belmont and wants to work as a performer but is studying to become an Entertainment Lawyer. My youngest son, Pierce is a Senior in high school now.

As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I have worked as an industry professional since moving to Nashville. Working in artist management. As a music producer, I always loved working with legends from any style of music. I’ve really enjoyed that creative process and consider it audible painting! I am different from most because I don’t chase after the latest fads or discover the next Taylor Swift. I’d much prefer working with established artists and legends.

The “Mr. Nashville Talks” chat show has been the most fun thing for me. We post all our shows on our YouTube channel but we’re on ETV streaming platform, All Nations TV, indie TV stations, Rocku, and many other venues. I tend not to get too caught up in that side and focus on the interviews.

I’ve enjoyed interviewing entertainers like Lily Tomlin, Oscar winner Mo’Nique, Leslie Jordan, Sherri Shepard, Freda Payne, Carman, Walt Willey (From All My Children), Marla Gibbs, American Idol’s Diana Degarmo, and Ace Young. TV stars that I grew up loving like Charlene Tilton and Audrey Landers from Dallas tv series, Bern Nadette Stanis who was Thelma from Good Times classic sitcom, R&B and Broadway legend Melba Moore, Anita Pointer of the Pointer Sisters, Patti Labelle, Kirk Franklin, Kelly Price, lots of legendary country artists like Bobby Bare, Donna Fargo, Jeannie Seely, Linda Davis and a lot of great artists. As the Covid diminishes we have plans and invites to film shows in New York, Los Angeles, and Britain.

I’ve spent my whole life talking so to do it with my entertainer friends, heroes, and legends means so much to me. I’m like a boy getting his first bike at Christmas every time I confirm an interview.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Nashville has always had the greatest group of industry officials, colleagues, artists, and we all kind of learn from each other. I think getting out and about, shaking hands, being individualistic are the greatest ways to find the right mentors and professional career opportunities. I never met a stranger and doors opened pretty well for me even when I wasn’t trying.

There are many intern opportunities out there for younger people. But always I think extra caution with meetings, friendships, and so forth with the whole #metoo areas and such. It’s a time when both women and men need to stay alert because there is still a lot of dangers out there. Good and bad exists everywhere and for every bad person in Nashville, there are 100 extra special great people.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.MrNashvilleTalks.com
• Instagram: @mrnashvilletalks
• Facebook: Mr. Nashville
• Youtube: Mr. Nashville Talks and link is: https://youtube.com/channel/UCVW8_VwNlNum3Q4XsykVzfQ

Image Credits
Alan Mercer And Larry Ferguson