The Veley Productions studio is named in honor of Larry Veley, a working musician whose life and career left a lasting imprint on the regional music scenes he was part of—and on the people who knew him.
This page exists to publicly preserve Larry’s musical legacy and make his story accessible to anyone searching for the history of the bands, recordings, and communities he helped shape.
Who Was Larry Veley?
Larry Veley, known by the nickname “Lurch" while touring, was a Midwest-based musician whose career spanned more than two decades. The nickname Lurch came naturally—Larry stood 6 feet 5 inches tall—but those who knew him quickly recognized the contrast.
Despite his large frame, Larry was a gentle giant, known for his calm demeanor, kindness, and ability to befriend others within minutes. He carried himself with steadiness and humility, earning respect not through volume or ego, but through presence and character.
Larry’s career unfolded during a time when many working musicians were never formally documented online, making intentional preservation essential today.
In recognition of his passing and musical life, Larry Veley was posthumously named a member of the Dead Rock Stars Club—an informal but meaningful designation honoring musicians whose contributions continue beyond their lifetime.
FreeFall (Louisville, Kentucky)
In the 1970s, Larry Veley was a member of the Louisville, Kentucky rock band FreeFall, where he was known by his nickname Lurch. FreeFall was part of the regional live-music circuit of the era and developed a strong local following.
FreeFall Members
FreeFall included:
- Tony Bowles
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Jay Comstock
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Bill Maetschke
- Tony Bowles
- Larry Veley
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Paul Brandt
- Terry Tyler
Songwriting Legacy
One of Larry’s proudest musical contributions was as songwriter of “Take Me Back Again,” later featured on FreeFall’s Greatest Hits album. Additionally he co-wrote "Alone Together' and "Back in My Arms" during his time with Mane St. These songs remains a lasting example of his creative voice and his role in shaping the band's recorded legacies.
Mane St. (Northern Michigan)
Larry later became a long-standing member of Mane St., performing with the band for over 15 years. Mane St. was based out of Northern Michigan and active throughout the Midwest.
The band was managed by John Potes and became known for its longevity, consistency, and strong presence at community events and benefit concerts.
Mane St. Members
During Larry’s years with the band, Mane St. included:
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John Potes
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David Carter
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Jim Stanford
- Larry Veley
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Tim Afton
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Ronnie Lee
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Bob Bowen
Recording and Production Contribution
Another of Larry’s most meaningful musical achievements was his role as engineer for At This Stage of Our Life, a live album by Mane St.
The album was:
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Recorded live at the Crazy Horse Saloon in Rockford, Michigan
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Mixed and mastered at Rocky Lake Studio in Coral, Michigan
This recording stands as a permanent snapshot of the band during a defining chapter of its history.
Giving Back Through Music
Beyond performance and recording, Larry was deeply committed to using music as a means of service.
Larry regularly organized benefit concerts for people in need, teaming up with his bandmates in Mane St. to create large-scale concert bashes. They frequently called on other bands to join them, pooling talent and audiences to maximize impact. These benefit shows were often standing room only, raising thousands of dollars for families facing hardship.
For Larry, community was not an abstract idea—it was something you built and shared, through music and friendship, one show at a time.
Additional Bands and Musical Projects
Across his career, Larry Veley also performed with a wide range of bands, reflecting both his versatility and his steady involvement in live music scenes:
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The Cooties
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Alley Cats
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Sunbursts
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Complaint Dept
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Bust N’ Loose
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Crooked Foot
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Science Project
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Just Us
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Flaming Grace
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Bridge
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Cottonwood
Each project added to a career defined by collaboration, consistency, and service to the music community.
A Life Cut Short
Larry Veley passed away on October 4, 2004, following complications from an accident after a benefit concert in West Michigan.
The accident occurred after a performance at Tony’s Annual Toy Run for Kids, a charitable event held at the Lowell Fairgrounds to collect Christmas gifts for terminally ill children. Larry fell from a flatbed truck that was being used as a stage after tripping over a cable.
At the time, Mane St. had volunteered their time to provide main-stage entertainment, as they had done for many years, after performing earlier that day at Celebration on the Grand in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
After being hospitalized and immobilized for four weeks, Larry suffered a massive pulmonary embolism caused by a blood clot. He passed away just two days before he was scheduled to return home.
Remembered by Many
Larry’s impact was evident in the response to his passing. His funeral was attended by several hundred people, reflecting the depth of his relationships and the respect he earned over decades of music and community involvement.
Local radio stations and touring musicians sent their sincere condolences, honoring not just a fellow musician, but a man remembered for his kindness, humility, and generosity.
Father and Son
Larry Veley was the father of Jeff Veley, a youth speaker, entertainer, magician, and live-events producer well known in the education market.
One of Larry’s most meaningful legacies is that Jeff was among the last people to ever perform with him onstage, at the age of sixteen—a moment that permanently connected their creative journeys.
The Larry Veley Studio at Veley Productions
The professional studio operated by Veley Productions is named in honor of Larry Veley.
Located in downtown Henderson, Texas (East Texas), the studio features music memorabilia from Larry’s career, preserving his legacy within a working production space.
Today, the studio supports live events, virtual productions, and educational programming—continuing a tradition rooted in sound, performance, and Golden Rule Customer Service™.
Why This Page Exists
Much of regional music history exists only in memory. This page exists so that Larry “Lurch” Veley’s name, bands, recordings, songs, collaborators, character, generosity, and impact are publicly documented, searchable, and preserved for musicians, historians, family members, and anyone seeking accurate information about the people behind live music.
Legacy is not only about what is remembered—it is about what is recorded.
