| Lenny LeBlanc | |
|---|---|
| Born | June 17, 1951 |
| Origin | Leominster, Massachusetts, United States |
| Genres | Soft rock, Contemporary Christian |
| Occupations | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years active | 1975–present |
| Labels | Big Tree Records, Heartland Records, Integrity Music |
| Associated acts | Warryn Campbell |
| Website | LennyLeBlanc.com |
Lenny LeBlanc (born June 17, 1951 in Leominster, Massachusetts) is an American musician and songwriter, half of the music duo LeBlanc and Carr.[1]
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In 1955 his family moved south to Daytona Beach, Florida. LeBlanc spent his summers on the beach surfing until he met some teens that played guitars. He later landed a job washing dishes to pay for his first bass guitar. During the next three years of school Lenny played at dances and local clubs around Daytona, developing his vocal talents as well. He graduated from high school in 1969 and moved to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1970. He has currently resided in Florence, Alabama since 1973.
Former band member and good friend Pete Carr had become a very successful producer and studio guitarist in Muscle Shoals, Alabama. He encouraged Lenny to join him there. After a few months Lenny began playing bass as well as singing background vocals with artists like Hank Williams Jr., Crystal Gayle, Etta James, Shenandoah, Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, The Supremes, Joan Baez, Amy Grant and Roy Orbison.
With much success as a background musician and singer, Lenny LeBlanc embarked on a solo career. In 1975, he recorded a demo and producer Pete Carr sent a copy to Jerry Wexler at Atlantic Records. A few months later Lenny's first solo LP was released. Atlantic saw great potential in Lenny and teamed him with Pete Carr. The result was three chart singles, including the top 15 hit "Falling". The single peaked at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, staying on the chart for 27 weeks during 1977 and 1978. It also reached #11 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart. LeBlanc and Carr began touring with major acts. After a while Carr decided he enjoyed making the records more than promoting them so the duo went their separate ways. LeBlanc continued writing songs and pursuing a solo effort, this time with Capitol Records.
In 1980, LeBlanc became a born-again Christian and began recording Christian-themed music. In 1983, Heartland Records released the "Say a Prayer" LP which was followed by the "Person to Person" LP in 1984. In 1987, LeBlanc opened his own recording studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama where he does his own productions as well as others.
| Genre | Year | CD Title | Recording Company | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pop | 1976 | Lenny LeBlanc | Atlantic/Big Tree | Yielded one chart single |
| Pop | 1978 | Midnight Light | Atlantic/Big Tree - Leblanc and Carr | Yielded two Top 40 singles and one Top 15 single: "Falling" (co-written by LeBlanc and Eddie Struzick) |
| Pop | 1980 | Breakthrough | MSS/Capitol - Lenny LeBlanc | Yielded one Top 50 single |
| Gospel | 1983 | Say a Prayer | Heartland/CBSPriority - Lenny LeBlanc | Yielded one Top 10 single: "Say a Prayer" |
| Gospel | 1984 | Person to Person | Heartland/Benson - Lenny LeBlanc | Yielded one Top 15 single: "He is the One" |
| Gospel | 1990 | Single: "Forgive One Another" | Faithful Heart Maranatha/Benson | Member of group Faithful Heart Maranatha/Benson Yielded No. 2 single "Forgive One Another" |
| Gospel | 1991 | Prisoner of Love | Maranatha/Benson - Lenny LeBlanc | Yielded 2 Top 15 singles: "Praise Him" and "Prisoner of Love" |
| Gospel | 1991 | Pure Heart | Integrity Hosanna (Worship Series) | |
| Gospel | 1994 | All My Dreams | Integrity Music - Lenny LeBlanc | Yielded No. 5 AC single: "Born to Worship"; No. 7 AC single: "All My Dreams"; and No. 1 Country Christian single: "A Carpenters Son" |
| Gospel | 1996 | The Bridge | Integrity Music - Lenny LeBlanc | Yielded Top 15 CCM single: "River of Forgiveness"; and Top 10 inspirational single: "The Bridge" |
| Gospel | 1999 | Above All | Integrity - Lenny LeBlanc | Yielded Top 15 inspirational single: "I Believe" |