“Delta Dawn” Writer and Rockabilly Legend Larry Collins Dies

He wrote “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma,” which hit #1 for David Frizzell and Shelly West, and was also nominated for the CMA’s Song of the Year. He wrote “Home” with Mac Davis, which was recorded by Nancy Sinatra before Mac himself had a hit with it. He also wrote Tanya Tucker’s signature song “Delta Dawn” with songwriter Alex Harvey, which shot a 13-year-old Tanya into stardom. But before any of this, Larry Collins had his own career as a child prodigy that helped influence country and rock n’ roll on a grand scale.
Larry Collins was born in Tulsa, Oklahoma on October 4th, 1944, so when he wrote “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma,” it came straight from the heart. But after winning a talent contest in Tulsa with his sister Lorrie at the ripe age of nine, they decided to move to California to pursue stardom in 1953. The legendary steel guitar player for Bob Wills and the Texas Playboys, Leon McAuliffe, made the suggestion to the young performers.
It turns out that Leon’s suggestion was a good one. With the 10-year-old Larry picking away on a double neck Mosrite guitar, and his 12-year-old sister Lorrie singing, they became a sensation on the Los Angeles-based TV show Town Hall Party in 1954, hosted by Tex Ritter. Little Larry was dwarfed behind the massive double neck guitar with his name engraved in the fretboard, but he became much more than a novelty. Mentored by Joe Maphis, Collins developed a fingerpicking style that became influential throughout country and rock.

Paired with his sister, they became known as The Collins Kids. They signed to Columbia Records and released numerous singles such as “Hop, Skip and Jump” and “Hoy Hoy.” In 1956 when the Grand Ole Opry made its first televised broadcast, The Collins Kids appeared as guests. Tex Ritter’s Ranch Party TV show found syndication in the late ’50’s, beaming The Collins Kids into homes nationwide.
Despite his age, Larry Collins was talented enough to record an instrumental album with Joe Maphis in 1958 called Fire on the Strings. Dick Dale, Bob Dylan, and even metal guys like Lemmy of Motorhead, and punk icon Jello Biafra of The Dead Kennedys were said to have been influenced by Larry Collins and The Collins Kids due to the frenetic, youthful, and high-octane performances they pulled off during an otherwise repressed moment in music.
As Larry and Lorrie Collins grew older and the uniqueness of the act eroded, they both split off in the mid ’60s into solo projects. Though he continued to play guitar, Larry Collins found second life as a songwriter as well, penning songs for both country and rock n’ roll acts. He found a particular kismet with Mac Davis, and the pair co-wrote “Woman Crying,” “Yesterday and You,” and “You’re Good For Me” from the Mac Davis catalog.
Larry and Lorrie Collins would reunite over the years, and the pair was revered in the rockabilly world.
Larry Collins died on January 5th at the age of 79 according to his daughter Larissa Collins. He passed away of natural causes at the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita, California. His sister Lorrie Collins passed away in 2018.
January 8, 2024 @ 7:34 pm
Delta Dawn. What a song. That’s enough in itself to have made this planet a better place.
January 8, 2024 @ 7:37 pm
Never heard of Mr. Collins,but “Delta Dawn” and “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma” are two of my favourites.RIP,Mr. Collins !!!!!!
January 8, 2024 @ 8:04 pm
Thank you for the nice tribute, Trigger. I stumbled upon Larry during the early days of YouTube when the occasional full episodes of Town Hall Party popped up. I clicked for the big-name country and rockabilly legends – I believe it was an episode with Wanda Jackson that I first clicked on – and ended wondering who the hell the kid with the double-neck guitar was who was stealing the show. He was fantastic. His “Whistle Bait” is one of the most raucous examples of rockabilly this side of Hasil Adkins. And that’s all without mentioning the masterpiece that is “Delta Dawn.” RIP Mr. Collins
January 8, 2024 @ 8:07 pm
There are some great videos on youtube of the reunited Collins Kids at the Palomino in L.A. in the ’90s.
January 8, 2024 @ 8:33 pm
An absolute guitar hero! I personally watched this man shred that Maphis doubleneck, well into his 70s. I cannot overemphasize the absolute importance this mans playing has to guitar players the world over, whether or not they even know his name. He took what Joe Maphis pioneered and brought it to the next generation. According to Deke Dickerson, Larry’s song Whistlebait might actually be the worlds first punk rock song! Hah! Dont know that I agree with that assessment, but the excitement and energy and virtuosity he demonstrated at such a young age is to this day, breathtaking to behold. We often talk Country guitar and name-check Chet and Merle and Jerry, and Don Rich, but how often is Larry Collins mentioned? He should be mentioned and held up as a true fret-board burner, in the same conversation as Maphis, and for that matter Jimmy Bryant. Seriously, if you are a true Country guitar disciple, then look up Larrys music. Check out the Town Hall Party videos of him and Lorrie, and him and Maphis trading licks, its hard to believe they did this stuff in the 50s. So glad I got to see him about 8 years ago, looking as impressive as ever.
Some of the rockabilly greats who were heavily influenced by him include Deke Dickerson, Reverend Horton Heat and the current heir apparent to the double neck shredding empire, and a man you should get to know, Kyle Eldridge, who currently plays gigs with Larrys nephew Dakota Collins on upright bass. Kyle is very involved in Dale Watsons Ameripolitan organization, and is often one of the house guitarists for the annual awards ceremony and weekend showcase performances. Hes currently working on his first album and is touring the world with a custom made doubleneck modeled after what Larry and Joe used. By all means check him out too.
February 26, 2024 @ 11:55 pm
i was lucky enough to have watched shows like town hall party when they were televised, ive always been a fan of live music when it was televised, not sure how many of the old country tv shows were live but i’m betting most were. i too ran across the collins kids on youtube and remembered them from the old days. something just as amazing his their stories of traveling with some of the all time legends of country music during those time. its well worth searching for and reading, think of these two kids in station wagon with the likes of johnny cash, carl perkins etc. maybe most of todays fans aren’t aware of how these low paid artists traveled from show to show so it would be interesting reading. also the story of the mosrite guitars is fascinating. Semie Moseley made larry’s double neck smaller because of his size at the time, he also made lorrie a single neck that she played, there was actually a joe maphis model.
January 8, 2024 @ 11:59 pm
Very few of the original Rockabillies left. Rock in Peace Larry.
January 9, 2024 @ 6:45 am
Had never heard of him. But watching a young Collins shred the double neck has been the joy of my morning. Thanks Trig!
January 9, 2024 @ 10:16 am
May he Rest In Peace. “Delta Dawn” and “You’re the Reason God Made Oklahoma” are among my all-time favourite songs.
January 9, 2024 @ 2:58 pm
“Delta Dawn” and “You’re The Reason God Made Oklahoma” are A-List classics.
Country music doesn’t get much better than those two tunes.
January 9, 2024 @ 4:53 pm
Larry was the reason I started playing guitar in the first place. Living in rural KY, and our first black and white TV playing Tex Ritter’s show, I fell in love with his “electric” guitar….first one I ever saw. I told my parents that’s what I wanted to do. Being 4 yrs his junior, I started playing when I was 10. At 75, I still play today. Thank you Larry !! Rest in peace.
January 9, 2024 @ 9:02 pm
Known about Larry and Lorrie Collins since the 50s on Townhall Party. An untouchable player, just unreal ! Right there with Joe Maphis and Roy Clark but with a style all his own. So glad he’s all over youtube for generations to come. Rest in heaven’s peace Larry*
January 10, 2024 @ 8:14 pm
Back in the day always watched Larry & Lorrie every Saturday night..Time just goes by far too fast. RIP Larry & Lorrie for all the entertainment, laughs and fantastic guitar licks..
God Bless
January 11, 2024 @ 12:43 pm
You cant learn to be like Larry, His talent and soul are truly Gd’s gift to him, AND TO US ALL
My condolences to all who loved him, he leaves behind a legacy of artistic greatness, that will last forever. Rest IN Peace……..
January 16, 2024 @ 2:49 am
Never knew Mr. Collins but YOUR THE REASON GOD MADE OKLAHOMA has been a long time favorite. Got to hear David Frizzell and Shelly West sing it in concert many years ago at Tombstone Junction, Cumberland Falls, Ky.
Condolences to the Collins family.
January 17, 2024 @ 8:58 pm
I was first introduced to the Collins Kids in 1985, at the age of 19, I’ve been a huge fan ever since.
My most sincere condolences to the Collins family.
January 22, 2024 @ 5:50 am
My sincere condolences to the familys of these two out standing musicians legends of good music wow so amazing still today it makes you wanna get up and dance Larry and lorrie will be greatly missed but never forgotten
January 27, 2025 @ 8:48 pm
As a youngster, I remember the Collin’s Kids on the Cousin Herb show in Bakersfield. My Dad loved it, I might have been 7.