Lead Singer Larry Dodson Announces Retirment from The Bar-Kays

Larry Dodson, Sr., The Bar-Kays' lead singer, will retire at the end of the year after 47 years as the lead singer of the internationally renowned funk and R&B band. "It has been a blastand I am fortunate to do what I enjoy for almost five decades with The Bar-Kays," said Dodson.

Dodson and founding member of The Bar-Kays, James Alexander, along with the band will tour together for the remainder of 2017 to give their fans a final opportunity to see them together with Dodson on stage.

"I love Larryhe is like a brother and I wish him the best in his retirement," said Alexander, the bassist and founding member of the Bar-Kays.

The Bar-Kays will perform in Memphis on June 16 during the 25 th Anniversary of the Juneteenth Urban Music Festival presented by Next Millennium Entertainment. Doors open at 8 p.m. and show starts at 9 p.m. at the Cannon Center for Performing Arts in downtown Memphis. Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy Dodson and Alexander together on stage one final time in their hometown. There will also be a special guest performance by ConFunkShun.

"The band will not be breaking up and will continue to perform for our fans for years to come," said Dodson.

Dodson and Alexander will keep The Bar-Kays legacy alive as they search for a new lead singer for the band. The Bar-Kays will then begin rehearsing for their 2018 Spring tour with their new lead singer. Please visit www.thebar-kays.com beginning May 1, 2017 for further instructions on lead singer auditions for The Bar-Kays.

"The new lead singer that we select has some big shoes to fill," said Alexander.

For more information including upcoming tour dates for The Bar-Kays, visit www.thebar-kays.com. Follow them on(facebook.com/barkaysmusic)andTwitter(@Barkays).

ABOUT THE BAR-KAYS: For five decades, The Bar-Kays have been a powerhouse of funk, R&B and soul music. The band has dozens of chart-topping singles including "Soul Finger," "Holy Ghost," "Freakshow on The Dance Floor" and the 2012 EP title single "Grown Folks." The Bar-Kays' music has been sampled by a variety of artists from Will Smith to Cameo. Their career has been documented in music institutions such as The Stax Museum of American Soul Music and the Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame. The Bar-Kays recently were asked to donate iconic stage garb and musical equipment to the esteemed Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Members of the Bar-Kays were also invited to the White House to perform twice thus far in 2013. Larry Dodson is the lead singer and James Alexander is the bass player and founder of the Bar-Kays. Band members include Angelo Earl on guitar, Ezra Williams on keyboard, Carlos Sargent on drums, Mark Bynum on keyboard, Archie Love and Robert Day on background vocals.

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