Leeland

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Leeland
L- R: Leeland Mooring, Mike Smith, Jack Mooring, Jake Holtz
L- R: Leeland Mooring, Mike Smith, Jack Mooring, Jake Holtz
Background information
Origin Baytown, Texas
Genre(s) Christian rock
CCM
Progressive rock[1][2]
Years active 2000–present[3]
Label(s) Essential Records
Provident Label Group
Sony BMG
Website leelandonline.com
Members
Leeland Mooring
Jack Mooring
Matt Campbell
Jake Holtz
Mike Smith
Former members
Jeremiah Wood

Leeland is an American Christian rock band from Baytown, Texas. The band was formed in 2004, although lead singer Leeland Mooring had been writing songs beforehand. Leeland is comprised of Leeland Mooring (lead vocals, guitar), Jack Mooring (backing vocals, keyboard), Matt Campbell (guitar), Jake Holtz (bass) and Mike Smith (drums). The band's original line-up included Jeremiah Wood, but he left the band in late 2006, and was replaced by guitarist Matt Campbell in late spring of 2007. Leeland has released two studio albums, receiving received a Grammy Award nomination and two Dove Award nominations for their debut album Sound of Melodies (2006).[4][5]

The band name "Leeland" is a usage of lead singer Leeland Mooring's first name.

Contents

[edit] Band history

[edit] Formation

Lead singer Leeland Mooring wrote his first song "Shine" at the age of 11.[6] After having a successful performance of the song at a church in Illinois, the Mooring family began touring the United States.[7] When he was 14, Mooring entered into Embassy Music’s Ultimate Talent Search contest in Nashville, Tennessee, where he became a finalist in the songwriting and artist divisions.[3] Although he did not win competition, one of the contest's judges, Kent Coley, now the band's manager, took interest in the young teen.[3] A year later, Eddie DeGarmo, President of EMI CMG Publishing, also was interested in Mooring, and the two signed a songwriting contract on EMI/Capitol Music Group.[3] Less than a year later, Leeland Mooring, his older brother Jack Mooring, their cousin Jake Holtz, and friends Jeremiah Wood and Mike Smith, who the Moorings had known for several years,[8] officially signed as a band onto their record label Essential Records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG's Provident Music Group.[9] The five members began practicing at night in their church's building after youth group, which doubled as a funeral home.[3][10] Leeland Mooring's first name was used as the band's name because the members said that "it sounded cool".[11]

[edit] Sound of Melodies

Drummer Mike Smith in 2007
Drummer Mike Smith in 2007

Leeland began recording for their debut release, Sound of Melodies, in 2005, with Matt Bronleewe, Marc Byrd, and Steve Hindalong producing the album. It was released in the USA on August 15, 2006. The album At the 49th Grammy Awards on December 7, 2006, the album was nominated for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album".[12] In 2007 the band received five GMA Dove Award nominations, including "New Artist of the Year"[13] and two nominations for their debut album Sound of Melodies.[5] The album was also released in Japan on March 21, 2007, with the title song "Sound of Melodies" peaking at #6 on the general Japan radio chart.[14]

The band has worked closely with Christian music legend Michael W. Smith. Smith has said that "Leeland is the best thing I have heard in a long, long time".[15] Leeland Mooring co-wrote six songs on Smith's latest album, Stand, and wrote one song by himself.[16] Later on, Jack Mooring married Smith's daughter Whitney Smith-Mooring on June 1, 2007.[17]

After being with Leeland for four years, Jeremiah Wood left the band in October of 2006 to pursue other endeavors.[18] Although never an official member, Austin Tirado was hired on as a temporary guitar player until February 2007. In February, Matt Campbell was also originally hired as a temporary guitarist for three months, however he was added as an official band member after those three months.

[edit] Opposite Way

Leeland's second studio album, Opposite Way, was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee.[19] In November 2007, the band announced that the album would release on February 26, 2008.[19] Lead singer Leeland Mooring said that "[Opposite Way] is primarily a call to our generation to passionately walk the 'opposite way' from the world; that it’s OK to live the Christian life and to be on fire for God, even if it makes us look different."[20][21] In its debut week of release, Opposite Way peaked at #72 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart,[22][23] and also reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Albums chart.[24] Starting in September 2007, Leeland began touring with Grammy Award-winning band Casting Crowns on The Altar and the Door tour. The tour continued until May 1, 2008,[25] and has been named the "highest-grossing Christian tour of the year" touring through 83 cities.[26]

The band's song "Tears of the Saints" from their debut album received two Dove Award nominations in 2008.[27] Also, lead singer Leeland Mooring was nominated for "Songwriter of the Year" and co-writer of the song "Be Lifted High" with Michael W. Smith.[27]

[edit] Musical style

Leeland's musical style has been defined as "alternative CCM[28] and "progressive rock"[15] The band's music have been described as "melodic" with "Brit pop/rock" influences,[29][30] being compared to Coldplay, Keane, Travis and U2. [30][29]

Their first album, Sound of Melodies, has been described as a "sometimes worshipful, always melodic".[30] Leeland's style moved in a more rock direction with their second album Opposite Way. All Music Guide reviewer Jared Johnson noted that "Leeland cemented their sound by creating electrifying walls of guitar" with their second release, having the same "energetic and melodic" sound as their first album.[31]

[edit] Band members

[edit] Former members

  • Jeremiah Wood – guitar (2002–2006)

[edit] Discography

Main article: Leeland discography

[edit] Award nominations

[edit] Grammy Award nominations

[edit] GMA Dove Award nominations

  • 2007: New Artist of the Year
  • 2007: Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – "Sound of Melodies"
  • 2007: Worship Song of the Year – "Yes You Have"
  • 2007: Praise & Worship Album of the Year – Sound of Melodies
  • 2007: Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year – Sound of Melodies
  • 2008: Song of the Year – "Tears of the Saints"
  • 2008: Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – "Tears of the Saints"

[edit] References

  1. ^ Progressive Progress: Texas prog rock band Leeland set to release album. Cross Rhythms (2006-05-20). Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
  2. ^ Leeland. Your Music Zone. Retrieved on 2008-04-15.
  3. ^ a b c d e Leeland - Biography. CCMmagazine.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  4. ^ Leeland Ready for Grammys, Visit Canada. Soul Shine Magazine (2007-02-09). Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  5. ^ a b 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards Album of the Year Nominees & Winners, About.com: Christian Music
  6. ^ Whitfield, Lindsay (2006-07-19). A Sound of Melodies Rises Up. Soul Shine Magazine. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  7. ^ Featured Worship Leader. www.worshiptogether.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  8. ^ Leeland - Music. Christian Music Today. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  9. ^ Price, Deborah Evans (2008-03-02). Touring fuels songwriting for Christian band Leeland. Reuters. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  10. ^ Leeland Biography. 1 Cubed. Retrieved on 2008-05-11.
  11. ^ Breimeier, Russ (2006-08-21). Leeland, 08/06 - Interview. Christian Music Today. Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  12. ^ Leeland Receives Grammy Nomination for Sounds of Melodies. CMSpin (2007-12-08). Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  13. ^ Jones, Kim. 38th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners. About.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  14. ^ Leeland's Debut Album Drops in Japan. BREATHECast.com (2007-03-30). Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  15. ^ a b Biography. Artist Direct. Retrieved on 2008-05-28.
  16. ^ Swartzendruber, Jay. Michael W. Smith and Leeland Mooring: Eye 2 Eye. CCM Magazine. Crosswalk.com. Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  17. ^ Farias, Andree (2007-07-09). The Scoop. Christian Music Today. Retrieved on 2008-04-13.
  18. ^ Leeland Guitarist Departs. Soul Shine Magazine (2006-12-05). Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  19. ^ a b Leeland Announce New Album Details. Soul Shine Magazine (2007-11-20). Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  20. ^ Leeland : Opposite Way CD. IndependentBands.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  21. ^ Opposite Way - LEELAND. BREATHEcast.com. Retrieved on 2008-05-30.
  22. ^ Leeland’s Opposite Way Going in the Right Direction. CCM Magazine (2008-03-05). Retrieved on 2008-04-06.
  23. ^ Opposite Way. Billboard.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-07.
  24. ^ Leeland's Opposite Way Reaches No. 1 at iTunes Christian Albums Sales Chart During Street Week. CCM Magazine (2008-02-29). Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  25. ^ Leeland Shoots Music Video for "Count Me In". Provident Label Group. Jesus Freak Hideout (2008-01-07). Retrieved on 2008-02-15.
  26. ^ Casting Crowns' The Altar And The Door Tour Named Highest-Grossing Christian Tour Of The Year. CCM Magazine (2008-05-08). Retrieved on 2008-05-25.
  27. ^ a b Dove Awards 2008. DoveAwards.com. Retrieved on 2008-04-02.
  28. ^ Monger, James. Leeland > Overview. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
  29. ^ a b Breimeier, Russ. Leeland - Opposite Way. Christian Music Today. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
  30. ^ a b c Breimeier, Russ. Leeland - Sound of Melodies. Christian Music Today. Retrieved on 2008-05-21.
  31. ^ Johnson, Jared. Opposite Way > Overview. Allmusic. Retrieved on 2008-05-22.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Leeland
Leeland Mooring  · Jack Mooring  · Matt Campbell  · Jake Holtz  · Mike Smith
Albums
Singles
"Sound of Melodies"  · "Yes You Have"  · "Tears of the Saints"  · "Reaching"  · "Count Me In"  · "Opposite Way"
Related articles
Languages