Lenny LeBlanc
Encyclopedia
Lenny LeBlanc is an American musician
and songwriter
, half of the music duo LeBlanc and Carr.
. 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.
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.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
, half of the music duo LeBlanc and Carr.
Early life
In 1955 his family moved south to Daytona Beach, FloridaDaytona Beach, Florida
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, USA. According to 2008 U.S. Census Bureau estimates, the city has a population of 64,211. Daytona Beach is a principal city of the Deltona – Daytona Beach – Ormond Beach, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which the census bureau estimated had...
. 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
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
in 1970. He has currently resided in Florence, Alabama
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
since 1973.
Musical career
Former band member and good friend Pete CarrPete Carr
Jesse Willard "Pete" Carr is an American guitarist. Carr has contributed to hit recordings by Joan Baez, Luther Ingram, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, Paul Simon, The Staple Singers, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Wilson Pickett, Hank Williams, Jr., and many more over the past four decades...
had become a very successful producer and studio guitarist in Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
. 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
Crystal Gayle
Crystal Gayle is an American country music singer best known for her 1977 country-pop hit, "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue". An award-winning singer, she accumulated 18 number one country hits during the 1970s and 1980s...
, Etta James
Etta James
Etta James is an American blues, soul, rhythm and blues , rock and roll, gospel and jazz singer. In the 1950s and 1960s, she had her biggest success as a blues and R&B singer...
, Shenandoah
Shenandoah (band)
Shenandoah is an American country music group founded in Muscle Shoals, Alabama in 1984 by Marty Raybon , Ralph Ezell , Stan Thorn , Jim Seales , and Mike McGuire...
, Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs
Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
, Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown
Sawyer Brown is an American country music band founded in 1981 in Apopka, Florida, by five members of country pop singer Don King's road band: Bobby Randall and Jim Scholten , both from Midland, Michigan; Joe Smyth , Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard , and Mark Miller...
, The Supremes
The Supremes
The Supremes, an American female singing group, were the premier act of Motown Records during the 1960s.Originally founded as The Primettes in Detroit, Michigan, in 1959, The Supremes' repertoire included doo-wop, pop, soul, Broadway show tunes, psychedelic soul, and disco...
, Joan Baez
Joan Baez
Joan Chandos Baez is an American folk singer, songwriter, musician and a prominent activist in the fields of human rights, peace and environmental justice....
, Amy Grant
Amy Grant
Amy Lee Grant is an American singer-songwriter, musician, author, media personality and actress, best known for her Christian music. She has been referred to as "The Queen of Christian Pop"...
and Roy Orbison
Roy Orbison
Roy Kelton Orbison was an American singer-songwriter, well known for his distinctive, powerful voice, complex compositions, and dark emotional ballads. Orbison grew up in Texas and began singing in a rockabilly/country & western band in high school until he was signed by Sun Records in Memphis...
.
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
Pete Carr
Jesse Willard "Pete" Carr is an American guitarist. Carr has contributed to hit recordings by Joan Baez, Luther Ingram, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, Paul Simon, The Staple Singers, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Wilson Pickett, Hank Williams, Jr., and many more over the past four decades...
sent a copy to Jerry Wexler
Jerry Wexler
Gerald "Jerry" Wexler was a music journalist turned music producer, and was regarded as one of the major record industry players behind music from the 1950s through the 1980s...
at Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records
Atlantic Records is an American record label best known for its many recordings of rhythm and blues, rock and roll, and jazz...
. A few months later Lenny's first solo LP was released. Atlantic saw great potential in Lenny and teamed him with Pete Carr
Pete Carr
Jesse Willard "Pete" Carr is an American guitarist. Carr has contributed to hit recordings by Joan Baez, Luther Ingram, Bob Seger, Joe Cocker, Boz Scaggs, Paul Simon, The Staple Singers, Rod Stewart, Barbra Streisand, Wilson Pickett, Hank Williams, Jr., and many more over the past four decades...
. 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
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
.
In 1980, LeBlanc became a born-again Christian
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
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
Muscle Shoals, Alabama
Muscle Shoals is a city in Colbert County, Alabama, United States. As of 2007, the United States Census Bureau estimated the population of the city to be 12,846. The city is included in The Shoals MSA. It is famous for its contributions to American popular music.-Geography:Muscle Shoals is located...
where he does his own productions as well as others.
Awards
- "Falling" - Named BMI Millionaire song (one million or more radio plays)
- "Falling" - Named one of Billboard's all-time favorite Top 40 Hits
- 2003 - Dove Award- INSPIRATIONAL RECORDED SONG OF THE YEAR -"Above All" - Worship album Michael W. SmithMichael W. SmithMichael 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...
, Lenny LeBlanc, Paul BalochePaul BalochePaul Baloche is an American Christian music artist, worship leader, and singer-songwriter. A native of Maple Shade, New Jersey, Baloche is currently the worship pastor at Community Christian Fellowship in Lindale, Texas. Baloche composes on piano and acoustic guitar, favoring guitar when leading... - In 2010 LeBlanc worked with Asian artists Brain Joo, Van Ness Wu, and Choi Siwon on the 3rd Wave Music project.
Solo and group artist LPs
| 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" |
Discography
- 1977 – Lenny LeBlanc – Atlantic/Big Tree
- 1978 – Midnight Light (as LeBlanc & Carr) – Atlantic/Big Tree
- 1980 – Breakthrough – Heartland/Capitol
- 1983 – Say a Prayer – Heartland/CBS-Priority
- 1984 – Person to Person – Heartland/BensonBenson RecordsBenson Records was founded by Bob Benson & John T. Benson, beginning as the John T. Benson Music Publishing Company in 1902. The record label started out as Heart Warming Records and would come to house labels such as Impact Records, Greentree Records, RiverSong, StarSong and Home Sweet Home...
- 1990 – Faithful Heart – Maranatha!Maranatha! MusicMaranatha! Music began as a non-profit outreach of Calvary Chapel in 1971. The Jesus People of the late 1960s and early 1970s began to write new hymns and worship songs with a folk-rock style. Maranatha! Music was founded at this time in order to publish and promote this new type of Christian...
/Benson - 1991 – Prisoner of Love – Maranatha!/Benson
- 1991 – Pure Heart – Hosanna! Music/IntegrityIntegrity MediaIntegrity Media is a privately held media communications company that publishes and distributes Christian music, films and related materials. The corporate offices are located in Mobile, Alabama, with subsidiary offices in Tennessee and foreign offices in Singapore, South Africa and the United...
- 1994 – All My Dreams – Integrity Music
- 1996 – The Bridge – Integrity Music
- 1999 – Above All – Integrity Music
- 2002 – One Desire – Integrity Music
- 2006 – Arise: A Celebration of WorshipArise: A Celebration of WorshipThis album features Integrity worship leaders Don Moen, Jared Anderson, Lenny LeBlanc, Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche, and Robin Mark.-Disc 1 track listing:#"Open The Eyes Of My Heart" #"Arise" #"Thank You Lord"...
– Integrity Music - 2007 – All For Love – Integrity Music
- 2007 – Songs From My Living Room (DVD) – LenSongs Pictures
- 2008 – Christmas Night – Indelible Creative Group
- 2010 – Love Like No Other – In:ciite