Leeland

Infobox musical artist
Name = Leeland

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Img_capt = L- R: Leeland Mooring, Mike Smith, Jack Mooring, Jake Holtz
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin =
Genre = Christian rock
CCM
Progressive rockcite web |url=http://www.crossrhythms.co.uk/articles/news/Progressive_Progress/21816/p1/ |title=Progressive Progress: Texas prog rock band Leeland set to release album |date=2006-05-20 |publisher=Cross Rhythms |accessdate=2008-04-15] cite web |url=http://www.yourmusiczone.com/go/ymz/music_artist/leeland |title=Leeland |work=Your Music Zone |accessdate=2008-04-15]
Years_active = 2000–presentcite web |url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/music/artist/leeland/leeland/ |title=Leeland - Biography |publisher=CCMmagazine.com |accessdate=2008-02-15 ]
Label = Essential Records
Provident Label Group
Sony BMG
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.leelandonline.com leelandonline.com]
Current_members = Leeland Mooring
Jack Mooring
Matt Campbell
Jake Holtz
Mike Smith
Past_members = Jeremiah Wood
Notable_instruments =

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, and has received a Grammy Award nomination and two Dove Award nominations for their debut album "Sound of Melodies" (2006).cite web| url=http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=4196 |title=Leeland Ready for Grammys, Visit Canada |date=2007-02-09 |work=Soul Shine Magazine |accessdate=2008-04-02]

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

Band history

Formation

Lead singer Leeland Mooring wrote his first song "Shine" at the age of 11. [cite web |url=http://www.soulshine.ca/features/featuresarticle.php?fid=215 |title=A Sound of Melodies Rises Up |date=2006-07-19 |publisher=Soul Shine Magazine |author=Whitfield, Lindsay |accessdate=2008-02-15] After having a successful performance of the song at a church in Illinois, the Mooring family began touring the United States. [cite web |url=http://www.worshiptogether.com/resources/worship.aspx?iid=491871 |title=Featured Worship Leader |publisher=www.worshiptogether.com |accessdate=2008-05-25] 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. Although he did not win the competition, one of the contest's judges, Kent Coley, now the band's manager, took interest in the young teen. 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. 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,cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/artists/leeland.html |title=Leeland - Music |work=Christian Music Today |accessdate=2008-05-30] officially signed as a band onto their record label Essential Records, a subsidiary of Sony BMG's Provident Label Group.cite web |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/musicNews/idUKN0124006720080303 |title=Touring fuels songwriting for Christian band Leeland |date=2008-03-02 |author=Price, Deborah Evans |publisher=Reuters |accessdate=2008-05-30] The five members began practicing at night in their church's building after youth group, which doubled as a funeral home.cite web |url=http://www.1cubed.com/display.php?ID=261&sectionID=26 |title=Leeland Biography |publisher=1 Cubed |accessdate=2008-05-11] Leeland Mooring's first name was used as the band's name because the members said that "it sounded cool".cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/interviews/2006/leeland-mini-0806.html |title= Leeland, 08/06 - Interview|date=2006-08-21 |work=Christian Music Today |author=Breimeier, Russ |accessdate=2008-04-02]

"Sound of Melodies"

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".cite web |url=http://www.cmspin.com/newsmanager/anmviewer.asp?a=4033&z=26 |title=Leeland Receives Grammy Nomination for Sounds of Melodies| work=CMSpin |date=2007-12-08|accessdate=2008-02-15] In 2007 the band received five GMA Dove Award nominations, including "New Artist of the Year" [cite web |url=http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/gma07awards.htm |title=38th Annual GMA Awards Nominations & Winners |author=Jones, Kim |publisher=About.com |accessdate=2008-02-15] and two nominations for their debut album "Sound of Melodies". [http://christianmusic.about.com/od/doves/a/07gmaAOY.htm 38th Annual GMA Dove Awards Album of the Year Nominees & Winners] , About.com: Christian Music] 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.cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-LEELAND/Article-564_1569.htm |title=Leeland's Debut Album Drops in Japan |publisher=BREATHECast.com |date=2007-03-30 |accessdate=2008-04-02]

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".cite web |url=http://www.artistdirect.com/nad/music/artist/bio/0,,3705992,00.html |title=Biography |publisher=Artist Direct |accessdate=2008-05-28] Leeland Mooring co-wrote six songs on Smith's latest album, "Stand", and wrote one song by himself. [cite web |url=http://www.crosswalk.com/root/music/1463815/page0/ |title=Michael W. Smith and Leeland Mooring: Eye 2 Eye |work=CCM Magazine |publisher=Crosswalk.com |author=Swartzendruber, Jay |accessdate=2008-02-15] Later on, Jack Mooring married Smith's daughter Whitney Smith-Mooring on June 1, 2007.cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/news/2007/thescoop-0709.html |title=The Scoop |publisher=Christian Music Today |date=2007-07-09 |author=Farias, Andree |accessdate=2008-04-13]

After being with Leeland for four years, Jeremiah Wood left the band in October 2006 to pursue other endeavors.cite web| url=http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=3998 |title=Leeland Guitarist Departs |date=2006-12-05 |work=Soul Shine Magazine |accessdate=2008-04-02] 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.

"Opposite Way"

Leeland's second studio album, "Opposite Way", was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee. In November 2007, the band announced that the album would release on February 26, 2008.cite web|url=http://www.soulshine.ca/news/newsarticle.php?nid=4864|title=Leeland Announce New Album Details|publisher=Soul Shine Magazine|date=2007-11-20|accessdate=2008-05-25] 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."cite web |url=http://www.independentbands.com/cd/leeland/oppositeway.html |title=Leeland : Opposite Way CD |publisher=IndependentBands.com |accessdate=2008-05-30] cite web |url=http://www.breathecast.com/Christian.Music.Artist-LEELAND/AlbumView-564_1890.htm |title=Opposite Way - LEELAND |publisher=BREATHEcast.com |accessdate=2008-05-30] In its debut week of release, "Opposite Way" peaked at #72 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart,cite web |url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11570104/ |title=Leeland’s Opposite Way Going in the Right Direction |publisher=CCM Magazine |date=2008-03-05 |accessdate=2008-04-06 ] cite web |url=http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/discography/index.jsp?pid=769330&aid=1105220 |title=Opposite Way |publisher=Billboard.com |accessdate=2008-04-07 ] and also reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Albums chart.citeweb |url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11569738/ |title=Leeland's Opposite Way Reaches No. 1 at iTunes Christian Albums Sales Chart During Street Week |publisher=CCM Magazine |date=2008-02-29 |accessdate=2008-04-02] 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,cite web |url=http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/news/2008/01/08.Leeland%20Shoots%20Music%20Video%20for%20Count%20Me%20In.asp |title=Leeland Shoots Music Video for "Count Me In" |work=Provident Label Group |publisher=Jesus Freak Hideout |date=2008-01-07 |accessdate=2008-02-15] and has been named the "highest-grossing Christian tour of the year" touring through 83 cities. [cite web|url=http://www.ccmmagazine.com/news/headlines/11575311/|title=Casting Crowns' The Altar And The Door Tour Named Highest-Grossing Christian Tour Of The Year|publisher=CCM Magazine|date=2008-05-08|accessdate=2008-05-25]

The band's song "Tears of the Saints" from their debut album received two Dove Award nominations in 2008. 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.cite web |url=http://www.doveawards.com/doveawards/nominees.php |title=Dove Awards 2008 |work=DoveAwards.com |accessdate=2008-04-02]

Their song "Brighter Days" from the "Opposite Way" album was featured in the June 22, 2008 episode of the television show "Army Wives".cite web |url=http://www.hmmagazine.com/exclusive/hm_news_update_week_ending_629200806/index.php |title=Internet Exclusives: Leeland's Brighter Days used on Lifetime Network |publisher=HM Magazine |date=2008-06-29 |accessdate=2008-07-16] The show's music supervisor Frankie Pine said, "We thought the use of 'Brighter Days' in this episode of "Army Wives" was moving, and was the perfect fit for what we were looking for".

Musical style

Leeland's musical style has been defined as "alternative CCM"cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:fpfqxq9dldke |title=Leeland > Overview |work=Allmusic |author=Monger, James |accessdate=2008-05-21] and "progressive rock". The band's songs have been defined as "melodic" with "Brit pop/rock" influences, being compared to Coldplay, Keane, Travis and U2. cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2006/soundofmelodies.html |title=Leeland - Sound of Melodies |work=Christian Music Today |author=Breimeier, Russ |accessdate=2008-05-21] cite web |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/music/reviews/2008/oppositeway.html |title=Leeland - Opposite Way |author=Breimeier, Russ |work=Christian Music Today |accessdate=2008-05-21]

Their first album, "Sound of Melodies", has been described as a "sometimes worshipful, always melodic". Leeland's style moved in a more rock direction with their second album "Opposite Way". Allmusic reviewer Jared Johnson noted that the band "cemented their sound by creating electrifying walls of guitar" with their second release, having the same "energetic and melodic" sound as their first album.cite web |url=http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:k9fuxzejldae |title=Opposite Way > Overview |work=Allmusic |author=Johnson, Jared |accessdate=2008-05-22]

Band members

* Leeland Dayton Mooring – lead vocals, guitar
* Jack Anthony Mooring – backing vocals, keyboard
* Matt Campbell – lead guitar
* Jake Holtz – bass
* Mike Smith – drums

Former members

* Jeremiah Wood – guitar (2002–2006)
* Austin Tirado - guitar

Discography

Infobox Artist Discography
Artist =


Caption =
Studio = 2
EP =
EP link =
Extended plays =
Singles = 5
Live =
Live link =
Music videos = 2
B-sides =
B-sides link =
References = Yes

tudio albums

Other albums

*2006: "Sound of Melodies" 5-song 12" Limited Edition Vinyl – (Essential Records)

ingles

Music videos

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fgAjVWDIvB0 "Sound of Melodies"]
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QOZHXCSsEiU "Count Me In"]

Compilation appearances

*2007: "X2008" – "Reaching" (BEC Recordings)

Award nominations

Grammy Award nominations

*2007: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album — "Sound of Melodies"

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"

References

External links

* [http://www.leelandonline.com/ Official website]
*MySpace|leelandmusic|Leeland
* [http://www.purevolume.com/leeland Leeland on PureVolume]
* [http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/lyrics/new/title.asp?title_id=451 Leeland lyrics on JesusFreakHideout.com]
* [http://www.youtube.com/user/leelandtv?ob=4 Leeland Channel]