PORTLAND - Singer/songwriter Larry Crowley, a Richmond native and bandleader for Royal Wade Kimes, will perform Tuesday, July 29, at South Portland Auditorium.

He returns home from Tennessee to launch his new CD, "Bang!," at a benefit performance for Northeast Hearing and Speech Center Inc., a nonprofit speech and hearing center that has served people in southern Maine and New Hampshire since 1924.

He will be joined on stage by Maine artists Dan Merrill, Lynn Deeves and Brian Johnson.

Crowley's musical roots began in his living room, rehearsing with his father's country bands. By age 11, he had already formed his first rock band. Over the years, his bands would stretch the boundaries of rock, through swampy blues, soulful originals and stage shows. One of those bands, Cornerstone, earned an opportunity to share the stage with The Outlaws and Chubby Checker.

Crowley was later hired to play guitar for Jimmie Rodgers ("Honeycomb," "Kisses Sweeter Than Wine"). Then as bandleader for Royal Wade Kimes, he shared stages with Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town, Deana Carter, The Bellamy Brothers and Ted Nugent.

Crowley's distinctive rhythms can be found behind Garth Brooks and Danny Davis on selected Royal Wade Kimes CDs.

He has appeared on the Grand Ole Opry stage with gospel legends Legacy Five.

His song-writing collaboration with Kimes garnered a Billboard Top-60, a European Top-10 and a No. 4 in the Netherlands.

The benefit concert will begin at 7 p.m. General admission tickets for adults are $15, $7 for children 12 and under. Tickets may be purchased from Northeast Hearing and Speech Center by calling 874-1065, or in person at the center at 43 Baxter Blvd.