Blaine Larsen doesn’t perform much these days, instead spending his waking hours pursuing a higher calling.
But there are increasingly-rare occasions when the Buckley native picks up his guitar, plants himself in front of a microphone and treats listeners to his repertoire of country-flavored tunes, both originals and favorites from other artists.
One of those opportunities awaits a Plateau audience, as Larsen is headed home to visit friends and family and put on a show at Enumclaw’s Chalet Theatre. Flanked by a pair of musician friends – one on guitar and one splitting time between fiddle and mandolin – Larsen will take the stage at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.
Larsen’s musical exploits are well known to local fans. Born in 1986, he moved to Buckley at an early age, learned to play guitar in his early teens and – while he was a junior at White River High School – headed to Nashville where he recorded a demo CD. That caught the attention of Nashville songwriters and, by 2004, Larsen had recorded a debut album, “In My High School.” The title track, which Larsen wrote with one of his White River teachers, reached No. 60 on the country charts.
The album was re-released under the title “Off to Join the World” and included two more songs that charted. “How Do You Get That Lonely” peaked at No. 18 and “The Best Man” went to No. 36.
Larsen moved to Nashville to pursue the recording dream. He was writing, recording, performing in videos and switching labels. But the musical life dramatically took a turn.
Larsen now works with Search Nashville, a nonprofit, interdenominational organization. Larsen had attended a Search small-group session and, in 2012, he had transitioned into full-time ministry. He has been ordained through Search and is close to earning a master’s degree in Christian leadership from Dallas Theological Seminary.
According to his website, Larsen now “spends most of his days meeting with people one-on-one and in smalls groups, asking questions and exploring answers to life’s most important questions.”
Larsen also is a family man. He has been married to his high school sweetheart, Sammie, for more than a decade. They have three children: Zoe is 9, Noble is 6 and the newest, Chasen, is 18 months.
That alone could keep Larsen busy. But, still, there’s music, however infrequently.
During a phone interview a week ago, Larsen said he performs perhaps six or eight times a year, often in a job-related setting.
The thought of returning home to do a show was always appealing and Larsen has talked with Chalet Theater management for about a year. Things came together and the timing presented the opportunity for a holiday-inspired show.
“I thought it might be fun to do,” Larsen said, noting his Dec. 2 concert will lean heavily on favorite songs from his recording days, tinged with perhaps six or eight Christmas songs.
