From Prince’s 5 Questions to Berklee & Larry Graham: Les aka LRCFunk

In this episode, host Joe Kelley sits down with drummer, composer, and multi-instrumentalist Les aka LRCFunk. Les shares stories from his musical journey—from growing up as a preacher's kid in Columbia, South Carolina, to studying at Berklee College of Music and touring with music icons like Larry Graham, Prince, Patty Labelle, Anita Baker, and Roberta Flack. He reflects on his deep bond with his late mentor and best friend, John Blackwell Jr., breaks down the creation of his hybrid-genre project Emerald City, and gives an inside look into working on the upcoming Purple Rain Broadway adaptation.

Key Takeaways

• The Power of Mentorship: How drum legend John Blackwell Jr. shaped Les’s career from high school through his time at Berklee and onto major stages.
• Life on Stage with Royalty: What it was really like auditioning for Prince (starting with five non-negotiable questions) and touring with Larry Graham & Graham Central Station.
• Mastering the Hybrid Genre: How Les channels funk, rock, classical, and soul into his solo project Emerald City without being boxed into a single genre.
• Professional Resilience: Turning unexpected stage mishaps and high-pressure soundchecks into flawless performances.