StreetJelly BLOG: Community News, Video Streaming, Online Busking, and more…

A Eulogy for Larry L

A few words by Frankie, StreetJelly CEO and Founder.

It’s with heavy hearts to announce the passing of Larry L, a.k.a. Larry Podline66. Larry was a long-time StreetJelly musician and friend. Larry left this world peacefully in his sleep on February 22nd, 2022.

Larry first became a member of StreetJelly on November 27th, 2013. SJ was only a year old back then. With his talent and fan base, he quickly became a mainstay on our streaming platform. Over the years, Larry has streamed a staggering 600+ live shows, 750+ hours of streaming, and was viewed 34,000 times live. This is all in addition to his prolific YouTube channel Podline66.

Larry Podline66

Many of our StreetJelly viewers have expressed shock in Larry’s passing. Myself included. I was just texting Larry a few weeks ago about the most mundane of topics, musician taxes. This sad news also comes at a time when so many other terrible events are taking place across the world. It’s all a bit overwhelming. But Larry reminds me how one person can touch so many hearts. Music is powerful. Larry showed us we all can change the world. He certainly made his “dent in the universe.”

One of our StreetJelly members, Pam, suggests this powerful original from Larry – Hold My Hand.

Update, Nov 2022:
We came across this video from a few years past. Larry, you are awesome.

Finally, we invite our StreetJelly friends to add your kind thoughts, favorite songs, fun shows, and any memories about Larry in the comment section below. Here are a few to get started:

Sunday afternoons and Larry L’s Street Jelly shows were an unbeatable combo in my life for years.  He was such an amazing talent, and possessed the gift of being able to totally engage an audience, as well as play and sing just about any request that was made.   It is so hard to believe that voice is silent now.  I will miss Larry so much….and I know many others will, too.  His extensive YouTube channel is a tribute to his phenomenal talent and deep love of music.  Rest in Peace, my friend.

Sleepy Jean

I was deeply saddened today to receive confirmation of the death of Larry Ludwikowski. He was a top tier Street Jelly performer. He was also unique in that he had been streaming live musical performances long before it became common practice.

Putting “PodLine66” in a search or Googling “Larry L” will still result in many of the wonderful recordings that Larry posted online.

To be honest, I did not always see eye to eye with Larry. At one point we were calling childish names to one another. He unfriended me from Facebook before I unfriended him. I am still mad he beat me to the punch. But in all the names I still have one for him; only I will use it differently. “Good ol’ Boy.” He sure was one of the good ones. He is proof that people with different views can collaborate and make wonderful decisions. After ruffling each other’s feathers we have collaborated to help musicians both on and off Street Jelly. He was also there to help me help a mutual friend in their time of need. I hope that in his passing people will know a little of the truth of our relationship and understand that dissenting views is what makes things happen.

I am not sure, but our struggles to get along may have been influential in anonymous tipping on SJ. The Narcissist in me thinks we were part of it. Truth is he always played songs a person knew and loved. Even when I was angry with him I still wanted him to play. Neil Diamond to Miami Sound Machine, I can’t imagine what his repertoire list looked like. Every show was fun. So anonymous tips.

Larry once said performers need supporters and supporters need performers. Then made a joke about a Bra ad. “Support can be beautiful,” he wrote.

I am not sure on this but I believe that Larry still holds the top grossing performer on Street Jelly and has the most viewers at a single show.

It is a sad day for online busking and I know it is hard to understand. Hurt happens in life. Still, I take great solace in the fact that someday I will hear him again. Maybe they will let me play in heaven and we can jam together.

Thank you for teaching me to be a better performer Larry. You will be missed.

Clifton Printy

Larry was, for me, an absolute performer. With a wonderful knack for connecting with his audience. He had a tremendous repertoire, great arrangements, and musicianship.

When I first met Larry online, he was promoting his TREMENDOUS YouTube account. Literally hundreds of well-produced performances spread over several accounts. Due to his tremendous talent, I first recommended StreetJelly.com to him.

Larry took to StreetJelly like a duck to water. He was an ENORMOUS presence on StreetJelly. An absolute top performer, with incredibly popular Sunday and special shows. And he made a couple of bucks for Frankie and Martina too!

But ultimately, Larry, in my view, would want to be remembered for his dedication to social justice. A subject always present in our chats. Goodbye, Larry. And Godspeed. Rest in peace, my friend.

Peter Bensen

I stumbled upon Larry’s videos probably in the spring of 2008 on YouTube, the first one I found was “Dancing in the Moonlight.” I was hooked, there was someone singing “my music”, the best of the 60’s, 70’s and early 80’s. I dropped him a note and he answered me. I drove my late husband and daughter to distraction with all the music, no surprise since I still own over 400 45’s that I collected since age 12. My late husband decided that he wanted to throw me a surprise 60th birthday and returning to the world from a bunch of surgeries party in August of 2008. He found Larry’s address, wrote him a letter, hired him and his friend Steve Sitton, it was all set up. A restaurant called the Candle Light Inn, in Catonsville MD was the site, unfortunately of late this was a Victorian style home with separate dining rooms that has been turned into a funeral home. He had open bar, buffet, roses for me and the folks who helped take care of me, cake, etc., and as a surprise for me invited Larry to play. His speech was that he could “never sing for my wife”, all the good ones are dead, Elvis, Bing Crosby, but he found someone who could. He got me good, Larry was great, brought me roses and we began a “friendship”. Larry was not easy to have as a friend, we had our ups and downs but I would never dispute his talent. His 1450 videos have gotten me through some rough times and the StreetJelly shows were a delight. I will seriously miss him and his music, RIP dear Larry.

Susan M Randt

Posted under: Guest Blogs, News and Press

Tagged as: , , , , ,

14 comments

  • Kelly Mark on March 16, 2022 at 8:58 pm said:

    I would not be on Streetjelly if it was not for Larry! I will miss his amazing’s shows! We did not always get a long but he was amazing friend and performer! I will miss you a lot my friend!!

  • Ms Keys/Pam on March 17, 2022 at 12:28 am said:

    Larry
    Larry; WE “HOLD YOUR HAND”, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Our many hearts are with you at this moment, together surrounding you with love. You have been so very brave, so very strong with your struggle. Thank You for your legacy of music. For years to come we will hear your words, your heart. You express old songs in such a way, they have new meaning. You tell a story with such emotion, whispering then yelling & banging on the guitar like a drum, so very gifted. It’s like we’re children listening to a bedtime story, wondering how the song will end. You made a difference, a big difference. A lot of your “originals” should have been published. Christmas time has always been hard on you. Yet you wrote such a beautiful uplifting song called “Christmas Time Is Here” easily that should have been published. Your friends have formed a bond that will never be broken because we see the Treasure, the natural gift you are. We love each other for loving and supporting you over the years. You have so many loved ones you will see mom & dad, your brother. Ione and Burtie are your two favorite people. Through our prayers, we will talk to you. I will see you again someday that you can count on, always in my heart.
    Love
    Ms Keys/Pam

  • Elizabeth Plunkett on March 17, 2022 at 1:38 pm said:

    Larry, RIP My Dear friend. You and your music have brought so much happiness into my life and so many others. Your music and the memories of you will live on forever! My heart is breaking, I already miss you so much. Love Liz 💔

  • Win Corduan on March 17, 2022 at 3:40 pm said:

    It was the day after Christmas, 2014. For some forgotten reason, I was going through YouTube looking for different versions of “Suite Judy Blue Eyes.” I found one, where someone (Larry) did a really nice job explaining how to play it, not that I ever will. I also noticed that he had posted a New Year’s message for his fans, in which he mentioned StreetJelly. Intrigued by his reference, I hastened to look up that site, and the rest is history. So, I am a member of the group of people who were first introduced to the Jelly by Larry.
    Larry was deeply committed to his music, in many ways raising the bar for many of us. I don’t know if he frequented other performers’ shows much, but I am honored to say that he dropped by one of mine once, complimented me on my singing, and left me a “Standing-O” pin.
    Speaking of pins, Larry’s SJ sites lists him as having received 4,699 Standing O’s, 1745 Love Songs, 577
    Charities, and many more. He will be missed by his fans and supporters.

  • T-Shot on March 18, 2022 at 2:29 pm said:

    I can’t believe it! We used to have zoom parties and Larry would come to these. He was always nice and fun. You will be missed! RIP!

  • Mike aka Crypt on March 18, 2022 at 9:12 pm said:

    I learned of StreetJelly from Larry’s youtube site. Loved his home studio recordings. Will be missed.

    • You know that I will miss you everyday, Larry.🌊🚗🌧️
      Thank you for everything..💚🧡🎙️🎸🎹🎶
      RIP, Sir🫂🌌👑

  • Jeff Krumholt on March 19, 2022 at 10:03 am said:

    I heard the sad news shortly after Larry passing. I didn’t want to believe it. Larry had reached out to me in an email that I will cherish forever. I would often listen to him and see his amazing shows. He was a great musician and friend and will be missed. I am personally honored to have known him and his music will live on in our hearts. Thank you Larry for sharing your awesome talent with us all. RIP my friend.

    God Bless,
    Jeff Krumholt

  • Richard Spurrell on March 19, 2022 at 7:28 pm said:

    Larry Thanks for the MUSIC and for introducing Ali and I to the virtual CHEERS bar that is Street Jelly where everybody Knows our Name and certainly usually seem Glad We Came.
    I think You and I are a couple of Eccentrics and I would have loved to have talked more and shared so many Mutual Musical Favourites and Inspiraional composers and entertainers. Its a pity I will never get the chance to help you with You’re dreadful English accent as planned….I still maintain You could have so easily filled in for Dan Peek in America…… YOU ALWAYS PUT ON a JOLLY GOOD SHOW OLD BEAN !If its allowed in Heaven Have a Dram on Me … Slante keep Singin and Rockin …Bye for Now Riki and Ali

  • Jean Jennings on March 20, 2022 at 11:41 pm said:

    I was so shocked and sad when I first heard the news about Larry passing. Larry was one of the first ones I saw when I joined Street Jelly. I didn’t know him personally but he had Great Shows. He truly was an Amazing, Talented, Awesome Artist who performed with such a smooth Beautiful voice, so pleasant to hear. He has many wonderful YouTube videos as well. Thanks for sharing your wonderful voice, music and talent with us, Larry. The memories and your music will always live on and You will be greatly missed by all your fans. Rest In Peace, dear SJ friend.

    God Bless,
    Jean Jennings

  • Claudette Paul on March 27, 2022 at 9:29 pm said:

    I was in shock when i heard of Larry’s passing. I enjoyed going to his shows and I even got to go and meet him at Tshot’s Zoom Party he had sometime Lasy year . He will be greatly missed .. condolences to his friends and family. He was a great Performer .

  • Paula Vinnick on April 5, 2022 at 7:38 pm said:

    I liked listening to his shows.
    Such a loss for the Streetjelly family.

    May he rest in peace…

  • Jacksplace on April 5, 2022 at 9:04 pm said:

    this is extremely sad news I quite enjoyed his shows on Street jelly very talented man my condolences to his family

  • Phil Rounds on April 16, 2022 at 1:21 pm said:

    Sorry to hear about Larry. I’ve seen a few of his shows and his Youtube channel. His tunes were always A-OK.
    My condolences to his family and friends ♥