Leeland
Encyclopedia
Leeland is a Christian rock
band from Baytown
, Texas
. The band was formed in 2004, although lead singer Leeland Mooring had been writing songs beforehand. Leeland is composed of Leeland Mooring
(lead vocals, guitar), Jack Mooring (backing vocals, keyboards), Casey Moore (guitar), Shelly Mooring (bass, backing vocals) and Mike Smith (drums). The band's original line-up included Jeremiah Wood, who left the band in late 2006, and was replaced by guitarist Matt Campbell in late spring of 2007.
Leeland has released three studio albums, and received a Grammy Award
nomination and two Dove Award nominations for their debut album Sound of Melodies
(2006). The band's third album, Love Is on the Move
, was released on August 25, 2009.
Leeland's fourth studio album, The Great Awakening
, was released on September 20, 2011 and received a nomination to the 54th Grammy Awards
for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
wrote his first song "Shine" at the age of 11. After having a successful performance of the song at a church in Illinois
, the Mooring family began touring the United States
. 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, officially signed as a band onto their record label Essential Records
, a subsidiary of Sony BMG's Provident Label Group
. The five members began practicing at night in their church's building after youth group
, which doubled as a funeral home
. Leeland Mooring's first name was used as the band's name because the members said that "it sounded cool".
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. At the 49th Grammy Awards on December 7, 2006, the album was nominated for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album".
In 2007 the band received five GMA Dove Award nominations, including "New Artist of the Year" and two nominations for their debut album Sound of Melodies
. The album was also released in Japan
on March 21, 2007, with the title song "Sound of Melodies" peaking at No. 6 on the general Japan radio chart.
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". Leeland Mooring co-wrote six songs on Smith's album, Stand
, and wrote one song by himself. Later on, Jack Mooring married Smith's daughter Whitney Smith-Mooring on June 1, 2007.
After being with Leeland for four years, Jeremiah Wood left the band in October 2006 to pursue other endeavors. 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.
, was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee
. In November 2007, the band announced that the album would release on February 26, 2008. 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." In its debut week of release, Opposite Way peaked at No. 72 on the Billboard Top 200
albums chart, and also reached No. 1 on the iTunes
Christian Albums chart. 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, and has been named the "highest-grossing Christian tour of the year" touring through 83 cities.
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
.
Their song "Brighter Days" from the Opposite Way album was featured in the June 22, 2008 episode of the television show Army Wives
. 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". The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the movie Fireproof
, a film featuring actor Kirk Cameron.
In December 2008, the band's Opposite Way
album was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award
in the category "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album".
, was released on August 25, 2009 in the United States
. The album's lead single
"Follow You", which includes vocals from singer-songwriter Brandon Heath
, was released to Christian radio on August 7. In September, the band will launch their "Follow You Tour", co-headlining with Brandon Heath and featuring Francesca Battistelli
as an opening act.
This, Leeland's third studio album, will probably once again draw comparisons with the likes of Keane
and Coldplay
. Infused with hope, haunting melodies are mixed with Britpop influenced rock. Having said this however, their American roots come across in a bunch of anthemic choruses. Where Leeland separate themselves from mainstream suitors is with bold proclamations of their faith and the elements of worship they weave into their music. Pianos, strings and guitars blend skilfully in crafted tunes that showcase Leeland Mooring's writing skills. Definite progression from early recordings can be heard as the band have developed and matured. The overarching theme of the tracks is a call to put faith into action.
The title cut being a perfect example, it includes the line, "Love is on the move, revealing heaven's truth". A similar theme is picked up on "Follow You" where Brandon Heath
guests. Elements of worship in their music remind me of a youthful Telecast as they challenge the listener into action. Leeland blend melancholy with joy to produce a brand of power pop that is most accessible. 'Love Is On The Move' is well worth a listen and will delight their many fans. It highlights the song writing of a talented young band and should not be overlooked.
Since the debut of Leeland’s acclaimed Sound of Melodies (2006), the three-time GRAMMY and eight-time GMA Dove Award nominated progressive worship band has become one of the most respected and influential voices in worship music. With its upcoming fourth release, The Great Awakening, Leeland recaptures the essence of its debut album while delving deeper into its spiritual roots; drawing from the wisdom of theologians including Salvation Army founder, William Booth. The Great Awakening, described by band members as an 11-track “worship revival experience,” was produced by Paul Moak
(Third Day, Matt Maher) and released September 20 on Essential Records.
Leeland’s writing and recording process brought together founding members - lead singer Leeland Mooring; brother, Jack Mooring on keys, and drummer Mike Smith – along with new member (and Moorings’ younger sister and bassist) Shelly Mooring, who replaced the band’s original bass player, Jake Holtz. Holtz, the Mooring’s cousin, left the band to serve in the U.S. Army.
As a newly formed unit and fortified with contagious inspiration, The Great Awakening finds Leeland at its most complete. Each of the 11 songs is skillfully inspired by historical “fathers of the faith,” including theologian Jonathan Edwards and Salvation Army founder William Booth, whose depths of belief and passion for God started stirred revival wherever they went.
Recording every song live-to-tape, this process allowed the bandmates to capture Leeland’s signature energy found in its live performance. It comes naturally as the band members have history with harmonizing and playing together. “When we were kids, our parents were traveling pastors,” Jack Mooring shares. “The three of us would jump in the car with them and lead worship services and revivals.”
Along with the natural rhythms and harmonies that were molded when they traveled the country as a family, recording for The Great Awakening brought a deep sense of musical resurgence and together, the band felt a fresh stirring of both personal and global revival. Leeland feels it captured the passion of the “revival experience” that often occurs during its compelling live set.
The band’s recent visits and concerts around the world, visiting everywhere from Peru to Japan for its support of Food For The Hungry, also inspired and helped shape The Great Awakening. “We’ve all been going through a personal revival in this band,” says Leeland. “We’ve felt God taking us out of a plateau, shaking us up and saying, ‘Don’t cruise anymore.’ That’s where we are; feeling like God wants to bring a great awakening to this generation.”
Over the years, Leeland has amassed tremendous favorable regard within the artist and worship music communities. Fellow artists esteem this collective not just for its ability to create moving songs that inspire and elevate, but also for its transparency, which manifests most obviously in the live setting. “The first time I saw Leeland, I was amazed by how vulnerable they were,” notes revered artist Michael W. Smith. “They are incredibly talented but when they are leading worship, they have the ability to transcend the here and now. They disappear into the worship experience and it’s impossible not to share in the experience when you’re in the room.”
Smith, who tapped Leeland Mooring to co-write more than half of his Stand project (11/7/06) continues, “This band has an ability – and it’s demonstrated keenly on The Great Awakening – to make you stop and listen. This is the rare type of album that will make you take a long pause in the middle of your busy day and instantly you’ll feel God’s presence.”
The album’s first two radio singles, “I Wonder” and “The Great Awakening,” go for adds on July 29 at AC Radio and CHR, respectively. To promote the record, Leeland will be visiting Chicago market radio, media and retail July 18 and 19. Additional album promotional dates are forthcoming.
Known for its bold and passion-filled live worship experience, Leeland looks forward to sharing these new songs on the road and personally connecting with people in each of the communities they visit. “A big part of our heart is to invest in the people in each city,” explains Jack. “As our schedule allows, we want to have a church service before the concert and just worship, pray for people, lay hands on people, believe in God for healing and salvation; awakening, basically.” Leeland is on an impassioned journey straight to the heart of God, and they are more than ready to share with the world The Great Awakening.
CCM
" 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
.
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. Of their third album Love is on the Move
, Christian youth magazine StreetBrand said the album shows "just how much they have matured musically as a group, creatively as songwriters and spiritually as a band with a penchant for God-pleasing worship."
nominations
GMA Dove Award nominations
Christian rock
Christian rock is a form of rock music played by individuals and bands whose members are Christians and who often focus the lyrics on matters concerned with the Christian faith. The extent to which their lyrics are explicitly Christian varies between bands...
band from Baytown
Baytown, Texas
Baytown is a city within Harris County and partially in Chambers County in the Gulf Coast region of the U.S. state of Texas. Located within the Houston–Sugar Land–Baytown metropolitan area, it lies along both State Highway 146 and Interstate 10. As of 2010, Baytown had an population of 71,802...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The band was formed in 2004, although lead singer Leeland Mooring had been writing songs beforehand. Leeland is composed of Leeland Mooring
Leeland Dayton Mooring
Leeland Dayton Mooring from Baytown, Texas, is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the band Leeland.Leeland became a Christian at the age of five. He has two siblings; older brother Jack Mooring and younger sister Shelly Mooring. Jack Mooring is married to Michael W. Smith's daughter,...
(lead vocals, guitar), Jack Mooring (backing vocals, keyboards), Casey Moore (guitar), Shelly Mooring (bass, backing vocals) and Mike Smith (drums). The band's original line-up included Jeremiah Wood, who left the band in late 2006, and was replaced by guitarist Matt Campbell in late spring of 2007.
Leeland has released three studio albums, and received a Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nomination and two Dove Award nominations for their debut album Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18...
(2006). The band's third album, Love Is on the Move
Love Is on the Move
Love Is on the Move is the third studio album by Christian band Leeland. It was released on August 25, 2009 and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart...
, was released on August 25, 2009.
Leeland's fourth studio album, The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening is the fourth studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on September 20, 2011. The Great Awakening received a nomination to the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.-Track listing:...
, was released on September 20, 2011 and received a nomination to the 54th Grammy Awards
54th Grammy Awards
The 54th Annual Grammy Awards will be held on February 12, 2012, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. It will be broadcasted on CBS. Nominations were announced on November 30, 2011 on prime-time television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music's Biggest Night", a...
for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.
Formation
Lead singer Leeland MooringLeeland Dayton Mooring
Leeland Dayton Mooring from Baytown, Texas, is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the band Leeland.Leeland became a Christian at the age of five. He has two siblings; older brother Jack Mooring and younger sister Shelly Mooring. Jack Mooring is married to Michael W. Smith's daughter,...
wrote his first song "Shine" at the age of 11. After having a successful performance of the song at a church in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, the Mooring family began touring the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. When he was 14, Mooring entered into Embassy Music’s Ultimate Talent Search contest in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, 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
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
/Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group
Capitol Music Group is a major record label, a wholly owned subsidiary of EMI.-History:It was formed in February 2007 as a merger of Virgin Records and Capitol Records in an effort by EMI to restructure and save an average of $217 million yearly...
. 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, officially signed as a band onto their record label Essential Records
Essential Records (Christian)
Essential Records is a Contemporary Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It is a division of a major label, Sony Music Entertainment.-History:...
, a subsidiary of Sony BMG's Provident Label Group
Provident Label Group
Provident Label Group is a division of Sony Music Entertainment focusing primarily on Christian music in Franklin, Tennessee. The group handles its own physical distribution through its Provident-Integrity Distribution service...
. The five members began practicing at night in their church's building after youth group
Youth club
A youth club or youth social club is a place where young people can meet and enjoy activities such as football, soccer, basketball, table tennis, or video games, and other religious, sports activities are frequently sponsored by a community center....
, which doubled as a funeral home
Funeral home
A funeral home, funeral parlor or mortuary, is a business that provides burial and funeral services for the deceased and their families. These services may include aprepared wake and funeral, and the provision of a chapel for the funeral....
. Leeland Mooring's first name was used as the band's name because the members said that "it sounded cool".
Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18...
, in 2005, with Matt Bronleewe
Matt Bronleewe
-Biography:Matt Bronleewe was born in Dallas, Texas, but as a young boy moved to central Kansas, Lorraine, with his family so his father could take on the family farm...
, Marc Byrd
Marc Byrd
Marc Byrd is an American musician, writer, and producer best known as one-half of the post-rock/ambient duo Hammock, along with former Common Children band-mate Andrew Thompson....
, and Steve Hindalong
Steve Hindalong
Steve Hindalong is an American drummer, percussionist, songwriter and producer best known for his work with the alternative rock band The Choir...
producing the album. It was released in the USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
on August 15, 2006. At the 49th Grammy Awards on December 7, 2006, the album was nominated for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album".
In 2007 the band received five GMA Dove Award nominations, including "New Artist of the Year" and two nominations for their debut album Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18...
. The album was also released in Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
on March 21, 2007, with the title song "Sound of Melodies" peaking at No. 6 on the general Japan radio chart.
The band has worked closely with Christian music legend Michael W. Smith
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
. Smith has said that "Leeland is the best thing I have heard in a long, long time". Leeland Mooring co-wrote six songs on Smith's album, Stand
Stand (Michael W. Smith album)
Stand is Michael W. Smith's twentieth album.- Track listing :# "Cover Me" - 3:28# "Open Arms" - 3:49# "Come To The Cross" - 4:06# "How To Say Goodbye" - 2:19# "Be Lifted High" - 4:11# "Oh Lord, You're Beautiful" - 2:37# "Grace" - 4:07...
, and wrote one song by himself. Later on, Jack Mooring married Smith's daughter Whitney Smith-Mooring on June 1, 2007.
After being with Leeland for four years, Jeremiah Wood left the band in October 2006 to pursue other endeavors. 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 WayOpposite Way
Opposite Way is the second studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on February 26, 2008. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Store Christian Albums chart in its debut week...
, was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
. In November 2007, the band announced that the album would release on February 26, 2008. Lead singer Leeland Mooring
Leeland Dayton Mooring
Leeland Dayton Mooring from Baytown, Texas, is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the band Leeland.Leeland became a Christian at the age of five. He has two siblings; older brother Jack Mooring and younger sister Shelly Mooring. Jack Mooring is married to Michael W. Smith's daughter,...
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
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
life and to be on fire for God, even if it makes us look different." In its debut week of release, Opposite Way peaked at No. 72 on the Billboard Top 200
Billboard 200
The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists...
albums chart, and also reached No. 1 on the iTunes
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
Christian Albums chart. Starting in September 2007, Leeland began touring with Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
-winning band Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns
Casting Crowns is a Grammy Award and Dove Award winning Contemporary Christian/Christian Rock band. Casting Crowns was started in 1999 by youth pastor Mark Hall at First Baptist Church in Downtown Daytona Beach, Florida as part of a youth group. He now serves as a lead vocalist...
on The Altar and the Door
The Altar and the Door
The Altar and the Door is the third studio album by American band Casting Crowns. The album was released on August 28, 2007. It includes two cover songs, including Chandler's "I Know You're There" and Steve Fee's "All Because of Jesus." The album debuted at number-two on the United States...
tour. The tour continued until May 1, 2008, and has been named the "highest-grossing Christian tour of the year" touring through 83 cities.
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
Michael W. Smith
Michael Whitaker Smith is a Billboard top ten Billboard Hot 100 recording artist and Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, composer, and actor. He is one of the best-selling and most influential artists in Contemporary Christian music. Smith also has achieved a considerable amount of...
.
Their song "Brighter Days" from the Opposite Way album was featured in the June 22, 2008 episode of the television show Army Wives
Army Wives
Army Wives is an American drama series that follows the lives of four army wives, their families, and an army husband whose wife is in the army. The series, shot at ABC Studios, premiered on Lifetime on June 3, 2007...
. 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". The song was also featured on the soundtrack of the movie Fireproof
Fireproof
-Track List for Original 2002 Release:# "Fireproof" – 3:46# "Just 2 Get By" – 4:17# "Echelon" – 3:25# "Stay Up" – 3:40# "Behind Closed Doors" – 2:55# "Epidemic" – 3:14# "Hindsight" – 2:57# "Light at My Feet" – 3:28# "A Shame" – 3:17...
, a film featuring actor Kirk Cameron.
In December 2008, the band's Opposite Way
Opposite Way
Opposite Way is the second studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on February 26, 2008. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Store Christian Albums chart in its debut week...
album was nominated for a 2009 Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
in the category "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album".
Love Is on the Move
Leeland's third studio album, titled Love Is on the MoveLove Is on the Move
Love Is on the Move is the third studio album by Christian band Leeland. It was released on August 25, 2009 and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart...
, was released on August 25, 2009 in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The album's lead single
Lead single
A lead single is usually the first single released by a musician or a band before the release of its home album.During the era of the grammophone record, all music arrived in the marketplace as what is now termed a single, one potential hit song backed by an additional song of generally less...
"Follow You", which includes vocals from singer-songwriter Brandon Heath
Brandon Heath
Brandon Heath is a contemporary Christian musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released three studio albums: Don't Get Comfortable , What If We and "Leaving Eden" . He is best known for the No. 1 "I'm Not Who I Was" and "Give Me Your Eyes". He was nominated four times at the Dove Awards of...
, was released to Christian radio on August 7. In September, the band will launch their "Follow You Tour", co-headlining with Brandon Heath and featuring Francesca Battistelli
Francesca Battistelli
Francesca Battistelli is an American Christian musician from New York City, New York. She was originally an independent artist and had released an independent album, Just a Breath, in 2004. Her first studio album on Fervent Records, My Paper Heart, was released on July 22, 2008...
as an opening act.
This, Leeland's third studio album, will probably once again draw comparisons with the likes of Keane
Keane
Keane are an English alternative rock band from Battle, East Sussex, formed in 1997. The group currently comprises Tim Rice-Oxley , Tom Chaplin , Richard Hughes and Jesse Quin , who first played with the band in late 2007 during the concerts of the single The Night Sky...
and Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
. Infused with hope, haunting melodies are mixed with Britpop influenced rock. Having said this however, their American roots come across in a bunch of anthemic choruses. Where Leeland separate themselves from mainstream suitors is with bold proclamations of their faith and the elements of worship they weave into their music. Pianos, strings and guitars blend skilfully in crafted tunes that showcase Leeland Mooring's writing skills. Definite progression from early recordings can be heard as the band have developed and matured. The overarching theme of the tracks is a call to put faith into action.
The title cut being a perfect example, it includes the line, "Love is on the move, revealing heaven's truth". A similar theme is picked up on "Follow You" where Brandon Heath
Brandon Heath
Brandon Heath is a contemporary Christian musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released three studio albums: Don't Get Comfortable , What If We and "Leaving Eden" . He is best known for the No. 1 "I'm Not Who I Was" and "Give Me Your Eyes". He was nominated four times at the Dove Awards of...
guests. Elements of worship in their music remind me of a youthful Telecast as they challenge the listener into action. Leeland blend melancholy with joy to produce a brand of power pop that is most accessible. 'Love Is On The Move' is well worth a listen and will delight their many fans. It highlights the song writing of a talented young band and should not be overlooked.
The Great Awakening
Leeland's fourth studio album, titled "The Great Awakening" was released on September 20, 2011.Since the debut of Leeland’s acclaimed Sound of Melodies (2006), the three-time GRAMMY and eight-time GMA Dove Award nominated progressive worship band has become one of the most respected and influential voices in worship music. With its upcoming fourth release, The Great Awakening, Leeland recaptures the essence of its debut album while delving deeper into its spiritual roots; drawing from the wisdom of theologians including Salvation Army founder, William Booth. The Great Awakening, described by band members as an 11-track “worship revival experience,” was produced by Paul Moak
Paul Moak
Paul Moak is an American producer, engineer, mixer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist currently residing in Nashville, TN.-Biography:Paul Greer Moak, III was born in Jackson, MS on July 8, 1979...
(Third Day, Matt Maher) and released September 20 on Essential Records.
Leeland’s writing and recording process brought together founding members - lead singer Leeland Mooring; brother, Jack Mooring on keys, and drummer Mike Smith – along with new member (and Moorings’ younger sister and bassist) Shelly Mooring, who replaced the band’s original bass player, Jake Holtz. Holtz, the Mooring’s cousin, left the band to serve in the U.S. Army.
As a newly formed unit and fortified with contagious inspiration, The Great Awakening finds Leeland at its most complete. Each of the 11 songs is skillfully inspired by historical “fathers of the faith,” including theologian Jonathan Edwards and Salvation Army founder William Booth, whose depths of belief and passion for God started stirred revival wherever they went.
Recording every song live-to-tape, this process allowed the bandmates to capture Leeland’s signature energy found in its live performance. It comes naturally as the band members have history with harmonizing and playing together. “When we were kids, our parents were traveling pastors,” Jack Mooring shares. “The three of us would jump in the car with them and lead worship services and revivals.”
Along with the natural rhythms and harmonies that were molded when they traveled the country as a family, recording for The Great Awakening brought a deep sense of musical resurgence and together, the band felt a fresh stirring of both personal and global revival. Leeland feels it captured the passion of the “revival experience” that often occurs during its compelling live set.
The band’s recent visits and concerts around the world, visiting everywhere from Peru to Japan for its support of Food For The Hungry, also inspired and helped shape The Great Awakening. “We’ve all been going through a personal revival in this band,” says Leeland. “We’ve felt God taking us out of a plateau, shaking us up and saying, ‘Don’t cruise anymore.’ That’s where we are; feeling like God wants to bring a great awakening to this generation.”
Over the years, Leeland has amassed tremendous favorable regard within the artist and worship music communities. Fellow artists esteem this collective not just for its ability to create moving songs that inspire and elevate, but also for its transparency, which manifests most obviously in the live setting. “The first time I saw Leeland, I was amazed by how vulnerable they were,” notes revered artist Michael W. Smith. “They are incredibly talented but when they are leading worship, they have the ability to transcend the here and now. They disappear into the worship experience and it’s impossible not to share in the experience when you’re in the room.”
Smith, who tapped Leeland Mooring to co-write more than half of his Stand project (11/7/06) continues, “This band has an ability – and it’s demonstrated keenly on The Great Awakening – to make you stop and listen. This is the rare type of album that will make you take a long pause in the middle of your busy day and instantly you’ll feel God’s presence.”
The album’s first two radio singles, “I Wonder” and “The Great Awakening,” go for adds on July 29 at AC Radio and CHR, respectively. To promote the record, Leeland will be visiting Chicago market radio, media and retail July 18 and 19. Additional album promotional dates are forthcoming.
Known for its bold and passion-filled live worship experience, Leeland looks forward to sharing these new songs on the road and personally connecting with people in each of the communities they visit. “A big part of our heart is to invest in the people in each city,” explains Jack. “As our schedule allows, we want to have a church service before the concert and just worship, pray for people, lay hands on people, believe in God for healing and salvation; awakening, basically.” Leeland is on an impassioned journey straight to the heart of God, and they are more than ready to share with the world The Great Awakening.
Musical style
Leeland's musical style has been defined as "alternativeAlternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
CCM
Contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music is a genre of modern popular music which is lyrically focused on matters concerned with the Christian faith...
" and "progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
". The band's songs have been defined as "melodic" with "Brit pop
Britpop
Britpop is a subgenre of alternative rock that originated in the United Kingdom. Britpop emerged from the British independent music scene of the early 1990s and was characterised by bands influenced by British guitar pop music of the 1960s and 1970s...
/rock" influences, being compared to Coldplay
Coldplay
Coldplay are a British alternative rock band formed in 1996 by lead vocalist Chris Martin and lead guitarist Jonny Buckland at University College London. After they formed Pectoralz, Guy Berryman joined the group as a bassist and they changed their name to Starfish. Will Champion joined as a...
, Keane, Travis
Travis (band)
Travis are a post-Britpop band from Glasgow, Scotland, comprising Fran Healy , Dougie Payne , Andy Dunlop and Neil Primrose...
and U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
.
Their first album, Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies
Sound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18...
, has been described as a "sometimes worshipful, always melodic". Leeland's style moved in a more rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
direction with their second album Opposite Way
Opposite Way
Opposite Way is the second studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on February 26, 2008. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Store Christian Albums chart in its debut week...
. 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. Of their third album Love is on the Move
Love Is on the Move
Love Is on the Move is the third studio album by Christian band Leeland. It was released on August 25, 2009 and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart...
, Christian youth magazine StreetBrand said the album shows "just how much they have matured musically as a group, creatively as songwriters and spiritually as a band with a penchant for God-pleasing worship."
Band members
- Leeland Dayton MooringLeeland Dayton MooringLeeland Dayton Mooring from Baytown, Texas, is the lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter of the band Leeland.Leeland became a Christian at the age of five. He has two siblings; older brother Jack Mooring and younger sister Shelly Mooring. Jack Mooring is married to Michael W. Smith's daughter,...
– lead vocals, guitar - Jack Anthony Mooring – backing vocals, keyboard
- Casey Moore - lead guitar
- Shelly Mooring – bass
- Mike Smith – drums
Former members
- Jake Holtz – bass (2004–2011)
- Matt Campbell - guitar (2007–2009)
- Austin Tirado - guitar (2006–2007)
- Jeremiah Wood – guitar (2004–2006)
Awards
Grammy AwardGrammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
nominations
- 2007: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album – Sound of MelodiesSound of MelodiesSound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18...
- 2009: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album – Opposite WayOpposite WayOpposite Way is the second studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on February 26, 2008. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Store Christian Albums chart in its debut week...
- 2011: Best Contemporary Christian Album - The Great AwakeningThe Great AwakeningThe Great Awakening is the fourth studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on September 20, 2011. The Great Awakening received a nomination to the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.-Track listing:...
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 MelodiesSound of MelodiesSound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18...
- 2007: Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year – Sound of MelodiesSound of MelodiesSound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18...
- 2008: Song of the Year – "Tears of the Saints"
- 2008: Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year – "Tears of the Saints"
- 2009: Praise & Worship Album of the Year – Opposite WayOpposite WayOpposite Way is the second studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on February 26, 2008. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Store Christian Albums chart in its debut week...
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Label(s) Record label In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,... |
Chart positions | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US Billboard 200 Billboard 200 The Billboard 200 is a ranking of the 200 highest-selling music albums and EPs in the United States, published weekly by Billboard magazine. It is frequently used to convey the popularity of an artist or groups of artists... |
US Heatseekers Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
US Top Independent Albums | Top Christian albums | NZ Album Charts | |||
| 2006 2006 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band.... |
Sound of Melodies Sound of Melodies Sound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18... |
Essential Essential Records (Christian) Essential Records is a Contemporary Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It is a division of a major label, Sony Music Entertainment.-History:... |
– | 2 | – | 14 | – |
| 2008 2008 in music 2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such... |
Opposite Way Opposite Way Opposite Way is the second studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on February 26, 2008. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Store Christian Albums chart in its debut week... |
Essential | 72 | – | 9 | 4 | – |
| 2009 2009 in music The following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year... |
Love is on the Move Love Is on the Move Love Is on the Move is the third studio album by Christian band Leeland. It was released on August 25, 2009 and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart... |
Reunion Reunion Records Reunion Records is a Christian music record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee and operating under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 1982 by Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton.-History:... |
84 | – | – | 5 | 21 |
| 2011 | The Great Awakening The Great Awakening The Great Awakening is the fourth studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on September 20, 2011. The Great Awakening received a nomination to the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.-Track listing:... |
Essential | 164 | – | – | 11 | – |
Other albums
- 2006: Sound of Melodies 5-song 12" Limited Edition Vinyl – (Essential RecordsEssential Records (Christian)Essential Records is a Contemporary Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It is a division of a major label, Sony Music Entertainment.-History:...
)
Singles
| Year | Title | Peak Chart Positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 2006 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2006.-January:*January 10 – Eric Burdon releases his album Soul of a Man and begins touring with a new band.... |
"Sound of Melodies" | Sound of Melodies Sound of Melodies Sound of Melodies is the Grammy Award-nominated debut album from Christian band Leeland released in August 2006 on Essential Records.-Track listing:#"Sound of Melodies" — 5:01#"Reaching" — 3:25#"Yes You Have" — 4:23#"Tears of the Saints" — 6:18... |
|
| "Tears of the Saints" | |||
| "Yes You Have" | |||
| 2007 2007 in music This is a list of notable events in music that took place in the year 2007.-January:*January 1 - George Shearing is knighted for services to music in the Queen's New Year Honours List. Evelyn Glennie becomes a Dame... |
"Reaching" | ||
| "Count Me In" | No. 10 on CHR Radio (March 5, 2008) | Opposite Way Opposite Way Opposite Way is the second studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on February 26, 2008. The album reached #1 on the iTunes Store Christian Albums chart in its debut week... |
|
| 2008 2008 in music 2008 was a huge year in music history with the emergence of pop superstars Lady Gaga and Katy Perry into the mainstream. Also, this is the year that is widely agreed upon by critics as the start of the fall of hip hop from the mainstream and the rise of Synthpop into the mainstream due to acts such... |
"Opposite Way" | ||
| 2009 2009 in music The following is a list of notable events and releases in 2009 in music. Susan Boyle's album I Dreamed a Dream became the biggest selling album in the world for 2009, selling 8.3 million copies in five weeks; more than any other artist's in the whole year... |
"Follow You" | No. 7 Billboard Hot Christian Songs Hot Christian Songs Christian Songs is a Billboard chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.... |
Love is On the Move Love Is on the Move Love Is on the Move is the third studio album by Christian band Leeland. It was released on August 25, 2009 and debuted at number 5 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart... |
| 2010 2010 in music 2010 in music may refer to:*2010 in American music*2010 in Australian music*2010 in British music*2010 in Canadian music*2010 in European music *2010 in Irish music*2010 in Japanese music*2010 in New Zealand music... |
"New Creation" | ||
| 2011 | "The Great Awakening" | The Great Awakening The Great Awakening The Great Awakening is the fourth studio album from the Christian band Leeland, released on September 20, 2011. The Great Awakening received a nomination to the 54th Grammy Awards for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album.-Track listing:... |
|
| "I Wonder" |
Music videos
Compilation appearances
- 2006: WOW Hits 2007WOW Hits 2007WOW Hits 2007 is a two-disc compilation album of songs that have been touted to represent the best of Christian music of 2006. It was released on October 3, 2006. The album features songs by Jeremy Camp, Casting Crowns, MercyMe, Chris Tomlin, and many more highly renowned groups and singers. The...
- "Sound of Melodies" (EMI) - 2007: X2008 – "Reaching" (BEC RecordingsBEC RecordingsBEC Recordings is a Christian rock record label that is a subsidiary of Tooth and Nail Records. The label was formed in 1997 in partnership with the EMI Christian Music Group....
) - 2007: WOW Hits 2008WOW Hits 2008WOW Hits 2008 is a two-disc compilation album comprising some of the biggest hits on Christian radio from the previous year. Disc one features more of the adult contemporary hits, while disc two features the CHR/Pop and Rock hits. On November 12, 2008 the album was certified gold in the US by the...
- "Tears of the Saints" (EMI) - 2008: WOW Hits 2009WOW Hits 2009WOW Hits 2009 is a two-disc compilation album composed of some of the biggest hits on Christian radio during the previous year. Disc one features more of the adult contemporary hits, while disc two features the CHR–pop and rock hits....
- "Count Me In" (EMI) - 2009: Fireproof Original Motion Picture Soundtrack - "Brighter Days" (Reunion RecordsReunion RecordsReunion Records is a Christian music record label based in Brentwood, Tennessee and operating under the Provident Label Group. The label was founded in 1982 by Dan Harrell and Mike Blanton.-History:...
) - 2010: WOW Hits 2011WOW Hits 2011WOW Hits 2011 is a two-disc compilation album composed of some of the biggest hits on Christian radio in 2010. Disc one features more AC radio hits, while disc two features the CHR/Rock radio hits. The album was also issued in a deluxe version featuring six bonus remixes.The album hit No. 1 on...
- "Follow You" (featuring Brandon HeathBrandon HeathBrandon Heath is a contemporary Christian musician from Nashville, Tennessee. He has released three studio albums: Don't Get Comfortable , What If We and "Leaving Eden" . He is best known for the No. 1 "I'm Not Who I Was" and "Give Me Your Eyes". He was nominated four times at the Dove Awards of...
)