AccuRadio Song Of The Day-Larry Groce

Artist:Larry Groce

Song:Junk Food Junkie

Album:Dr. Demento 20th Anniversary Collection: The Greatest Novelty Records of All Time

The novelty song Junk Food Junkie was a top ten hit in 1976. It was the only chart single for singer songwriter Larry Groce. So it is a one hit wonder. You may have heard it on Barry "Dr. Demento" Hansen's radio show. For the most part, Groce has recorded children's music and was the host and artistic director of the live radio show Mountain Stage. Groce was born Apr. 22, 1948 in Dallas. He became interested in music as a child. His high school classmates included Michael Martin Murphey, Ray Wylie Hubbard and B.W. Stevenson. Groce is a member of The First Church of Christ, Scientist. He recorded music for them while attending Principia College in Elsah, IL. After graduating in 1970, Groce moved to New York and performed regularly at the organic restaurant and coffeehouse Focus owned by future film producer Larry Brezner. His wife at the time Melissa Manchester also performed there. Groce signed with RCA's religious label Daybreak and he recorded two albums. He was an NEA sponsored musician in residence touring schools. This led to a move to West Virginia in 1972. He recorded a 1975 album with bluegrass group The Currance Brothers. Loren and Jimmie Currance also appeared on Junk Food Junkie. The album was produced by Randy Nauert of the 60s group The Challengers for Curb Records with Warner Bros. distribution. I think it's a bluegrass album recorded live. Barry Hansen wrote the album liner notes. So I'm sure he was responsible for getting the album on a major label. Junk Food Junkie reached #9 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album has never been released on CD. But you can get Junk Food Junkie on this 2CD Dr. Demento comp. Groce recorded children's music for Disney for two decades. And he started the live radio show Mountain Stage in 1983. He hosted the show until 2021. So though Groce is mainly a bluegrass musician, Junk Food Junkie is his claim to fame. Here's Larry Groce performing Junk Food Junkie on The Rich Little Show 1976.