Larry Mayfield’s heart has always been with the Minister of Worship and Music in the local church. For over 45 years he used his musical gifts to create hundreds of music publications and recordings for church ministries. He served as Worship Minister for ten years at Circle Church in Chicago, from 1968-1977. During those years Larry pioneered new contemporary styles of music and forms of worship. His influence was foundational to worship that churches experience today.
Larry and his wife, Diane, were committed to expressing the message of the gospel through different styles of music for the church, and this led them to move to Nashville in 1977. They knew it was the place to be to see Larry’s gift be used even more. It was also where they raised their four children.
Larry was a highly respected free-lance composer/arranger for over 45 years. His works are published by the Benson Company, Word, Brentwood Music, Provident, Lillenas, Gaither Music, Glory Sound, Shawnee Press, Hal Leonard, Hope Publishing, LifeWay, Broadman Press, Lexicon, Star Song, Re-Generation, Good Life, Lorenz, FourMost Productions, Zondervan and Singspiration.
Larry was a teacher at heart and his desire to mentor young musicians was evident. Many young men would come to our door and sit with Larry as he taught them about the music they wanted to someday compose. Larry taught as an adjunct professor at Belmont and Trevecca Universities in Nashville on studio singing. He has also taught music seminars, planned and led worship, and produced recording sessions for well-known Christian artists. He has written and published numerous seasonal musicals for churches as well as patriotic musicals for schools. He has also recorded three of his own piano CDs.
Through his hundreds of publications Larry’s influence has been strongly felt in the churches of America and worldwide. His love for children also motivated him to create “Kids Sing Praise” in the ‘80’s, and musicals for churches, schools and Kids TV. Diane was blessed to be mother to their children, and collaborator with Larry on some of his original compositions, working on conceptualization, research and lyrics.
Larry has a Bachelor of Sacred Music from Moody Bible Institute (1967) a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Music from Chicago Musical College, Roosevelt University (1968). He began his doctorate work at Northwestern University, but set that aside as he was compelled to be in the studio, creating music for the church. The music that Larry has created throughout those years leaves a legacy for church music and has impacted the lives of God’s people.
CDs by Larry Mayfield are available via Myrna White at the request of Diane Mayfield with all proceeds going to the Mayfield family. Click here for the first album, Meditations Volume I. Larry also arranged and produced the Words of Hope CDs.