Born in Dubuque Iowa and raised in the same surrounding area. 

I really didn't start working with music till I had almost finished grade school. My father had been very instrumental in keeping my mind on music. His argument to me was, "If you take the time to learn how to play guitar it is something that no one will ever be able to take away from you." I found out that he was right. After spending about six months taking lessons from a gentleman by the name of Lawrence Tharp and a couple of polishing lessons from Jack Bennett my father thought it was time to put together a family band. This consisted of my father Buck Bettcher singing and playing a very strong rhythm guitar, my mother Janice Bettcher singing with her wonderful voice, and my sister Tana Tigges playing drums. Very well for her age I might add. We did all right for a couple of years as a family band aside from some of the standard family feuds, but as with most kids that are starting into their teens I had to chase girls, run around town and do everything but my music. After all music takes practice, practice is work, and at that age who wants to work.

At seventeen I enlisted in the Navy as a Maintenance Mechanic. I really didn't spend much time working with music, but I did entertain some of my best audiences there. One particular audience I entertained was on the USS Ponce. We were on our way to England and they decided to have a talent show. There were about 1700 people on board for the show. I entered and to my surprise I still had it after not playing my guitar or singing for about a year. I brought the house down so to speak with a song called the Auctioneer by Leroy Van Dyke and ended with song called Mule Skinner Blues. I even had the Captain of the vessel ask me to his quarters to thank and congratulate me. When we pulled into Portsmouth England we went to a very large night club ( I can't remember the name) and the crew stopped the band and requested that I get up and entertain with the group. It had been quite an experience for me working with an English band.

When I got out of the service I worked in my trade as a mechanic for several years. I really didn't start going after my music seriously until an allergy to grease and oil took my trade away from me. I decided to pursue my music, which is something I could do just about as well as mechanics. I worked with a band Called the Prairie Ramblers. The band did very well, and a Man by the name of Eddy Pfohl gave me a chance as front man for the band. After about two years I decided to start my own band called Whispering Waters. This band did very well also. We even won a regional contest that took us to the state fair where we got to open for Moe Bandy. During this time I had the opportunity to work in quite a few night clubs, supper clubs and for various special events such as weddings, anniversaries and graduations.

Since then I’ve opened for Ronnie Mc Dowell and Thom Bresh.

The first recording I did was to a song I wrote called Mississippi Man. The song has since been re-recorded (In fact the song Mississippi Man had been used as background on a show called Travel Travel of the BBC which had been aired nationally).

It's where I got the handle The Mississippi Man. Let me explain! After I finished the song a local radio station played it on the air, the response in the area was over whelming. People around Dubuque started saying "There's the Mississippi Man". After that I just kept the handle. It seems I spend a lot of time working my music around the river anyway.

The past few years I've had the opportunity to entertain aboard some of the riverboats here on the Mississippi. I started on an excursion and dining boat called the Spirit Of Dubuque. Mr. Bob Kehl put me to work. He also owned The Mississippi Belle II and the Quad City Queen. I had the chance to work on board the Mississippi Belle II for Mr. Kehl. The next vessel that Mr. Kehl brought to Dubuque was the Casino Belle. This is the vessel that will go down in history simply because it brought back river boat gambling. I worked for Mr. Kehl about two years on board the Casino Belle entertaining large numbers of people. The first year the Casino Belle was in Dubuque almost a million customers walked across her decks. It had been an exciting time in my life simply because I had the chance to entertain and meet so many different people. I do love people and I love it when they like what I have to offer. From the Casino Belle I went on to entertain aboard the Silver Eagle Casino, The Par-A-Dice Casino and The Mississippi Belle II Casino (which had been converted from an excursion boat). Since they have brought in a new Mississippi Belle II which is a fabulous vessel.  The Catfish Bend Casino and, a Fabulous Casino and Golf  Resort called the Riverside Casino.

I have had the chance to record in Nashville Tennessee in the past and am presently working toward a Major label contract. One can only hope and dream.

 On one recording trip to Nashville I had the chance to perform on a live radio broadcast at Barbara's thanks to a very well known and talented entertainer by the name of Cathy Lemmon. She had been asked to perform on the show and asked if I might like to also. Well you know I couldn't refuse.

I've also entertained on three Television shows during this time. The first show I mentioned earlier called Travel Travel. The next show called Community Forum in and around Dubuque Iowa. They had such success with this show that it 

was aired daily for two months. The show consisted of myself playing music and singing, Joanna Knuckles Singing and the Tri State Bootscooters dancing to my music. I should explain Joanna had worked a duet with me for a couple of years on the river boats and

the Tri State Bootscooters were brought over by my cousins who were very active in country line dancing. The whole show turned out excellent.

The third show called Country Showcase is or will be aired in Peoria Illinois and the surrounding cities. The MC's name is Ray King. I had been introduced to him by Mr. Glenn Reader who is a very popular entertainer from that area.

I'm glad I have such wonderful people like you supporting me in my efforts. I hope someday to be asked to work on the Grand Ole Opry it would be a dream come true. I do know with people like you behind me anything is possible.

YOUR FRIEND LARRY