Like his songs, life Highland Lakes musician Larry A. Salinas not forgotten

GRANITE SHOALS — Officially, the Larry Salinas Band played country, rock and blues. But you could just as easily find Larry A. Salinas, a beloved local musician, singing Tejano jazz, or even hip hop, friends and fans recalled.

The 63-year-old Granite Shoals resident unexpectedly died Aug. 13.

“He was just a pure entertainer,” said Grant Dean, who used to host the drummer and band leader when Dean owned Lorraine’s Live Music in Marble Falls. “He was familiar with all genres of music, and he could do just about anything that you wanted to do.”

Dean, along with scores of other area music lovers, said they were shocked and saddened at the news of Salinas’ death.

Many knew him through his group, the Larry Salinas Band.

“He was an important part of the musical community,” said local recording artist john Arthur martinez, who performed with Salinas early in his career. “He brought a lot of joy to a lot of people who loved music and who loved to dance.”

In addition to performing, Salinas also enjoyed listening to live music and doing “research.”

“He’d always have a new CD for someone to listen to,” said Bryan Hibler, a former band mate who credits Salinas with giving him his first big break. Salinas hired him to play guitar at age 20 and then encouraged him to front his own band.

For many years, Salinas owned a vitamin shop in Marble Falls but then retired to pursue music full time, Hibler said.

Martinez said Salinas was always challenging himself with new material and styles, including folk, traditional honkey-tonk country, jazz, Latin, pop and more.

“His show was always growing and evolving. That way, he kept it fresh for himself and kept it fresh for the audiences,” said Martinez, who entered the national spotlight as a performer on the USA Network television show “Nashville Star.”

“I was in (Marble Falls) high school teaching when his children were there and they’re extremely talented, and I wanted to tell them how much the community will miss their father,” he added.

Another aspect of Salinas was his work teaching young musicians, said booking agent Gary Delz, who hired Salinas for many events.

“Larry was a mentor,” said Delz, a fellow musician. “He was a great inspiration to a lot of younger drummers, several of them now playing professionally.”

This included Salinas’ own son, Alex Salinas, who is now an accomplished drummer on the Austin music scene, Delz said.

Hibler, who grew up with Alex, recalled the elder Salinas playing an autoharp for his third-grade class, and then teaching him and his fellow sixth-grade band mates about Latin percussion too.

“He was always real big about helping kids with music,” he said. “He was a great teacher, and on top of it, a great student.”

What’s more, Salinas was always ready to help the community by performing at benefits, Delz recalled.

“For 30 years, when people had a crisis and needed to raise money, he was one of the first ones to sign up,” he said.

“He’s going to be dearly missed,” Delz added.

To assist the family with funeral costs and other expenses, a fund has been set up at First State Bank of Central Texas.

Donations for The Larry Salinas Family Benefit Account will be accepted at any FSB location. For more, call the Marble Falls branch at (830) 693-3595 or drop by at 617 U.S. 281 North.

Salinas was born in San Antonio on Dec. 14, 1948, to Louis and Susie Arguijo Salinas.

Survivors include wife Marilyn Philpott Salinas of Granite Shoals; his son of Austin; and daughter Ellie Salinas of Austin.

According to her website, Marilyn Salinas is a Marble Falls native who teaches kindergarten at Colt Elementary School. She has been at the school for eight years.

Larry Salinas was preceded in death by his parents.

A memorial service was Aug. 18, at Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home, 1805 U.S. 281 in Marble Falls, (830) 693-4373. Weldon French officiated.

Condolences may be offered at www.clementswilcoxfuneralhome.com.