New Album Heartbreak City Out June 13 on Joe Bonamassa’s Journeyman Records

Larry McCray is a powerhouse bluesman with a soul-soaked voice, blistering guitar chops, and a story that embodies the spirit of his music. With his new album Heartbreak City (out June 13 on Journeyman Records), McCray opens a new chapter—raw, joyful, and deeply personal. Produced by blues-rock champions Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, Heartbreak City finds the legendary singer and guitarist firing on all cylinders, reconnecting with his roots while stepping boldly forward.

From the opening notes of the title track, McCray reminds listeners why he’s long been hailed as one of the most expressive blues artists of his generation. “Heartbreak City” showcases Larry’s gritty vocals and searing guitar work, evoking the decades he spent grinding it out in clubs—pouring heartache and redemption into every solo.

Elsewhere, standout single “Bye Bye Blues” reflects McCray’s teenage years in Michigan, when soul still ruled the airwaves. Co-written with longtime collaborator Charlie Walmsley, the track nods to greats like Johnnie Taylor and Bobby Bland, while delivering a sound all his own—grooving, head-nodding, and utterly timeless. “Bright Side,” another standout, was originally written for Bobby Bland and unearthed by Josh Smith, who knew Larry was the one to bring it to life. With call-and-response choruses and sly humor, the track plays to McCray’s unmatched ability to blend deep emotion with irresistible swagger.

The album’s ten original tracks range from soul-infused ballads to roadhouse burners, brought to life by a dream team including Bonamassa, Smith, Kirk Fletcher, Reese Wynans, and a powerhouse horn section. McCray’s longtime partner Peggy Smith co-wrote several songs, infusing them with emotional depth and lyrical weight. Tracks like “Everything Falls On Me” and “Stop Your Crying” stand as testaments to resilience, reflection, and triumph.

The release follows 2022’s Blues Without You, McCray’s triumphant return after a seven-year hiatus. That album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Blues chart and was named the #1 Blues Album of 2022 by Blues Rock Review. In 2024, McCray was inducted into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame—recognition of his deep roots and far-reaching influence. Heartbreak City builds on that momentum, presenting McCray at his most self-assured—grounded in tradition, yet fearlessly pushing forward.

Born in 1960 in Smackover, Arkansas, McCray grew up immersed in gospel, soul, and the electric blues of the three Kings—B.B., Albert, and Freddie. At 12, he moved to Saginaw, Michigan, where he blended the classic blues feel with the psychedelic bite of Hendrix and the southern fire of the Allman Brothers. After years of playing gigs while holding down a factory job, McCray became the first artist signed to Virgin Records’ blues imprint, Point Blank. His 1990 debut Ambition was followed by critically acclaimed albums including Delta Hurricane, Meet Me at the Lake, and Born to Play the Blues, defining the shape of modern blues-rock through the ’90s and beyond.

Throughout his career, McCray has shared stages with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, Albert King, the Allman Brothers, Joe Walsh, Jonny Lang, Levon Helm, and of course, Joe Bonamassa. He was honored as Orville H. Gibson’s Male Blues Guitarist of the Year in 2000, and in 2014 won the Top Guitarist prize in the International Blues Matters writers poll.

But for McCray, the accolades are secondary. “I feel totally reborn,” he says. “This new album lets me show the full scope of what I do—it’s blues, it’s soul, it’s real stories. This is who I am.”