Larry Groce is an American singer-songwriter and radio host. From 1983 until 2023, he served as the host and artistic director of Mountain Stage, a two-hour live music program produced by West Virginia Public Radio and distributed by NPR. He first entered the national spotlight in 1976 when his novelty song "Junk Food Junkie" became a Top Ten hit. After that, his voice became well known by children and parents alike as a result of his Platinum recordings of classic children's songs for Walt Disney Records Children's Favorites 4-volume series: Volume 1 (1979), Volume 2 (1979), Volume 3 (1986), and Volume 4 (1990).
In 1976, his satiric novelty song "Junk Food Junkie" became a top-ten hit. This led to appearances on The Disney Channel.
Between 1979 and 1990, Groce appeared on nine Disney albums, six of which were certified Gold and two Platinum. His first Disney recording, "Winnie the Pooh for President", was nominated for a Grammy in the category of "Best Recording for Children" in 1976, and Disney's Children's Favorites Volumes I-IV remain in print and continue to sell.
Trivia[]
- In Groce's 4-volume series of Disney Children's Favorite Songs, it should be noted that he often ad-libs words and doesn't sing some of the notes corresponding to the lyrics of certain songs.