Scenes of Savannah: Larry Jack celebration

By Sarah Cuda

Oct. 19, 2024 – Sunday’s “Larrypalooza” event at Starland Yard, organized by Joshua Peacock and Bill Dawers, was a beautiful gathering of people who wanted to pay tribute to Larry Jack Sammons, someone who touched many lives.

So many people came to honor Larry Jack’s memory (It’s never been just Larry, it’s always been Larry Jack), while several local musicians played to remember the man we all miss. It just goes to show what an impact he had on us individually and as a community. 

It doesn’t seem like it’s been a year since I ran into him at a show. He had this way about himself that always made people happy when they would run into him at a show, or randomly run into him somewhere around Savannah. He was weaved into the fabric of the downtown music scene, and an integral part of what keeps the art scene alive. If there was a show, you would likely see Larry Jack’s smiling face, showing support to the local artists. It’s almost as if he cloned himself to be everywhere and at multiple shows at once, so much so, we would joke about it regularly.

My favorite memory is when he told me he was going to start a rumor that Black Tusk was going to do an acoustic set at the Wormhole. I laughed so hard, and that became our joke. I love telling people that story, because it’s just as funny today, as it was when he said it.

It’s not quite the same to show up to a show and not see him there enjoying the music and grinning from ear to ear, but Sunday’s event was a testament to those lives he touched. I know we all miss him. It’s people like Larry Jack that truly make Savannah special. This city has a way of binding us together in a way that we can impact each other’s lives forever. I encourage each of you to impact someone in the way Larry Jack impacted the music scene and each one of our lives, show up, support others, smile and be kind.

Larry Jack was the biggest supporter of live music and local bands in Savannah. He lived and breathed live music. For the first several years of our friendship I didn’t even have his phone number because I knew I’d just run into him every weekend at shows. Seeing his smiling face was always such a blessing at shows and he saw us perform more than anyone else. But even more importantly he was a genuinely kind and loving man with a huge heart. We became close friends over the years and many will attest to his legendary Super Bowl parties. We miss him every day but we know his spirit is alive every time we get on stage in this town and the magic happens. 

-Jay Rudd. Swamptooth

Larry Jack was the greatest music fan this world has ever known.  Amazing spirit and the most supportive friend and fan I’ve ever known! Long Live Larry Jack!  – Jason Bible-Trainwrecks

I’m glad that Josh Peacock and Hissing Lawns crew have put together another concert to honor our friend. I think it’s important to gather and celebrate Larry Jack and also the community that he was an important figure in. Larry’s magical mystery tour was such a cool service that Larry provided us for all the right reasons. Pure love of music, and having a good time in Savannah. It’s great when a publication puts together a music calendar…Larry would actually “go” to all the shows he put on his list! He was so fun and hilarious. Great Smile. Miss the man all the time. – Matt Eckstine

“Larry’s love of music and life was contagious. It was always pure pleasure to see his smile light up a room. Even when he was one of a tiny crowd his presence made you feel like you were doing the right thing.” – Anders Thomsen

“Larry Jack left us more than a year ago, and it’s more obvious than ever that his infectious love of live music and his heartfelt appreciation for musicians has left a lasting imprint on Savannah. He would have loved the gathering on Sunday night, and I hope that we can find more ways to honor his incredible legacy.” – Bill Dawers, founder of the music blog Hissing Lawns where Larry Jack shared his local live music picks for years.