After resigning from a job in Sedona, AZ, at 65 years, I realized that I had to reinvent myself once again. Should I go back to my familiar areas of marketing consulting and coaching, or go forward to something new and fascinating? I felt that it was time to explore, experiment and innovate. I had always loved to sing, but knew I needed to improve my breathing and vocalizing techniques. This got me to resume singing lessons, from a teacher who was a former opera singer; she inspired and drilled me for more than three years. In addition, I realized that I needed to calm my emotions and deepen my spirituality. So, I joined a men’s group for problem solving and brotherly support. Also, I hiked much more amid Sedona’s awesome natural splendor. And I took time each day to go deep within, where I connected with self-love and self-acceptance.

As my 70^th birthday approached in May 2013, and after more than two years of singing lessons, I had a strong urge to host a party and give a concert, with my singing teacher accompanying me on the keyboard. It wasn’t until the day of the concert, with 40 friends crowding my living room, that I felt what message I wanted to share. Here is what I said, “Welcome, dear friends, to my birthday concert. Can’t have a concert without an audience. All my life I have been aware that I had a wounded boy singer inside of me. This concert is about loving and healing him. I loved to sing in front of my family when I was young, but life happened and I stopped doing it. Now you are my family and I want to share my love of singing with you, and my love of you all. During my long career as a professor and speaker, I was always performing, putting on a mask and sometimes full-body armor. But I never felt I could connect with people. I didn’t even know one of life’s purposes was to love. So, this concert is about sharing my authentic self, opening my heart to let out love, and to let your love into my heart. I am 70 years old today. If not now, when?”

After another year of living, loving and learning, including taking more singing lessons, my 71^st birthday in May 2014 came along. This time I rented a hall in Sedona with a real stage to present another birthday concert; with 60 seats, it was standing room only. This time I invited the audience to sing along with me, which they loved doing.

This second annual birthday concert is the reason I chose to launch The Larry Show. I said to myself, “Why am I doing a concert, just once a year on my birthday?” I loved every aspect of being on the stage – singing, story telling, joking and dancing. And close friends gave me extraordinary feedback, such as: “This is your ministry, not just your mission.” “You were totally in the zone.” “I could see a ‘divine spark’ coming out of you.” “You are the poster boy of ‘it’s never too late to find and follow your dream!” And so I started a new business at 71 years. The Larry Show – entertainment that inspires – through concerts, workshops, motivational speaking, and life coaching.