“I lost my mojo for aminute, but they propped me back up”: He was one of the great blues guitar talents of the ’90s, then the gigs dried up. Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith helped him get his game face back on

Larry McCray smiles as he plays his cherry red Guild Polara. He wears a black-and-gray striped shirt and grey pork pie hat.

Larry McCray was one of the great new-generation blues guitarists of the ’90s, emerging out of Saginaw, Michigan, with 1993’s excellent Delta Hurricane.

He was a regular at blues festivals and clubs around the world, touring with Gary Moore, Albert Collins and many other guitar legends. McCray also released several albums grounded by his stinging playing – which was reminiscent of Albert King – and soulful, gospel-infused singing.