The early '70s saw the emergence in Augusta of a distinctive vocalist who would create a huge following with his blend of country and blues.

Larry Jon Wilson's father loved getting him to sing Hank Williams' songs like Cold, Cold Heart. His fourth grade teacher at Augusta's Monte Sano Elementary school loved to hear him yodel so much --- when the class studied Switzerland in geography class --- that she kept having him come back to demonstrate yodeling, even when he was at Langford Junior High. He had learned to yodel listening to his dad's old Jimmie Rodgers' records.

The native of Swainsboro, Ga., loved music, but, it wasn't until his dad died that he got his first guitar and turned to music seriously.

In 1973, he was signed to Monument Records in Nashville and saw his debut Monument album, New Beginnings, released in 1975. He became a "singer's singer" admired by legends like Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Dottie West, Kris Kristofferson, Larry Gatlin and Mickey Newbury.

He performed in all the "in" nightclubs like The Other End in New York City, The Cellar Door near Washington, D.C., The Exit/In in Nashville and the Great Southeast Music Hall in Atlanta.

Other classic albums followed like Let Me Sing My Song For You in '76, Loose Change in '77 and Sojourners in 79.