Lawrence "Larry" Prothro was a respected jazz musician by his peers. It is said that he was an articulate trumpeter who neither smoked, drank alcohol or indulged in drugs. His parents home was located on Rt3 in Brooklyn, Illinois.

His niece, Myra Holman, affectionately called him Uncle Nickty as all his nieces and nephews. She recalls that Uncle Nickty poured knowledge of African and Egyptian history into them as children. Trips to museums, the St Louis Zoo and the St Louis River Front were among their frequent outings with him. He would teach them Life Lessons using what they deemed menial chores such as folding freshly washed towels. The corners had to match perfectly. He would often say, "Do all things in excellence."

Larry attended school in Brooklyn and played in the school band under the guidance of Mr. George Hudson. He mastered three instruments, trumpet, flute and piano. At the age of fifteen, he met Charley Parker whom he credits with being a great influence in his life.

During his career as a working musician, he played with Ike and Tina Turner, Count Basie, Fontella Bass, Hamiett Bluiett and appeared at the Apollo Theater in New York City.

When his son Frederick, was a small boy, he recounted a dream he had to his father (Larry). That dream inspired Larry to compose an instrumental score to honor his son's dream.