Larry and Joe performed for my son’s school last week. They were on tour with just one public show in Louisville, Kentucky, but they took time to visit four local schools. After my son saw them play, he begged me to go to their concert. Larry and Joe’s website described their band as a fusion of Venezuelan and Appalachian folk music. I had no idea what that meant, but my son was determined for me to find out.

We sat up front and watched Larry and Joe blend the twang of a bluegrass banjo with Latin rhythms for a bilingual showcase that marries the genres while honoring their roots. The duo weaved songs together with anecdotes of travel, food and purpose. They challenged racism and xenophobia, and they uncovered the deep human connection of two unlikely friends absolutely meant to make music together.

Equally captivating is the story of how Larry and Joe came to be. It offers a lesson on how destiny finds each of us. I left the concert deeply affected by their mastery, inspired by their spirits and determined to share their story with you.

Let’s start with Larry. Larry Bellorin grew up in Monagas, Venezuela, in a humble farming community. Larry was shining shoes by the age of 6, singing Vallenato favorites as he worked. A local music teacher took interest in him and Larry learned to play the cuatro – a four-string guitar with Spanish roots – and by age 11, Larry was supporting himself as a musician. He went on to play the electric bass, mandolin and maracas. Then, an authentic llanera harpist took Larry under his wing.

“I played so much,” Larry said of learning the instrument, “I would wake up hunched over my harp.” Larry grew up to be a master musician and educator in Venezuela. He got married and started a family.

Then Venezuela began to collapse. The political violence and turmoil made it impossible for Larry to maintain his music school. His livelihood and his family’s safety were threatened, so he closed his music school and sought asylum in the United States. He arrived in North Carolina with only $30 to his name. Larry worked in construction, which is hard, honorable work, but not what Larry had trained his entire life to do. Then, a machine fell on him and broke his hand. He lost feeling in his fingers and couldn’t play his instruments. He wasn’t sure if he’d ever get back to life as a musician. But he persisted. Larry’s injuries healed, and he slowly returned to music while continuing to work in construction.

Word of his musical capabilities began to circulate in North Carolina. That’s when Joe walked into Larry’s life – or I should say, he came calling. Joe Troop was a member of the Grammy-nominated band “Che Apalache.” He is an instrumentalist, singer and songwriter native to North Carolina. He spent a decade living in Buenos Aires and traveling throughout Latin America. When the pandemic hit, it forced Joe’s band into hiatus, and he returned to North Carolina. In late 2021, Kayla Oelhafen, who is now Larry and Joe’s manager, worked with Joe’s former manager to produce a live music series in Durham, North Carolina.

“With Joe back in the area,” Kayla said, “he was an easy pick for our first concert which turned into a month-long, once per week residency.” Joe wanted to highlight local musicians as part of the series. He had heard about this great Venezuelan musician who had ended up in Raleigh. Joe cold-called Larry and asked him if he wanted to play the first show. He did. Larry walked in, ready to perform with his harp.

“Their musical collaboration was pure magic,” Kayla said. They received multiple standing ovations.

Now, the two travel the country, playing music and sharing their story.

Together, this duo represents what is possible. Their talent and skill bring the world great music while their story offers each of us a sliver of hope. Their unlikely collaboration of Venezuelan folk and bluegrass music shows us that cultures don’t have to clash; they can harmonize. We are so much better when we work together, learn one another’s stories and recognize all that we have in common.