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Three-time GRAMMY® and eight-time GMA Dove Award nominated band Leeland garnered a GRAMMY Award® nomination during last night’s hour-long special broadcast, “The GRAMMY® Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®,” which aired live on CBS from Nokia Theatre at L.A. LIVE.

Leeland received its fourth career nod for The Great Awakening (Sept. 20, 2011) in the Best Contemporary Christian Music Album Category. The 11-track “worship revival experience” was produced by Paul Moak (Third Day, Matt Maher).  Leeland is: 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.

Since Leeland debuted its acclaimed Sound of Melodies in 2006, this progressive worship band has become one of the most respected and influential voices in worship music and has earned the respect of its peers in the music community -- demonstrated by receiving a GRAMMY® nomination for each album it’s put out since its debut.
 
The 54th Annual GRAMMY Awards® ceremony will be held at the Staples Center
in Los Angeles, Calif. on Sunday, February 12, 2012.

Dove Award-winning band Building 429 and three-time Grammy nominee Leeland will join forces this fall to co-headline the 30-city “Sounds of Hope” Tour, which will also feature emerging pop-rock band Royal Tailor.  In partnership with Food for the Hungry, the tour will kick off Sept. 22, and travel across the eastern and mid-American states before wrapping in November.
 
The "Sounds of Hope Tour" comes on the heels of Building 429’s fifth studio album release, Listen To The Sound (May 10), featuring the title track which became a recent No. 1 hit radio single.  Leeland drops its brand new album, The Great Awakening, on Sept. 20, just as the tour hits the road and the album’s first two singles, “I Wonder” and “The Great Awakening,” continue to gain momentum at radio.  Royal Tailor will tour in support of its brand new national debut, Black & White (May 31), featuring the current hit single “Hold Me Together.”
 
“After years of admiring from a distance the amazing music and ministry of Leeland we are so excited to be merging our own music and ministry with theirs,” says Building 429 lead singer Jason Roy.  “We expect an amazing night of worship and entertainment that will ignite a passion in old fans and new.  Top that off with a brand new band ready to take on the world, and you find three bands unified and touring with new purpose and a new fire.  We’re all excited about raising the bar far beyond what the fans have come to expect on the 'Sounds of Hope' Tour.”

“I feel like this record is the beginning of a new season for us,” says Leeland Mooring. “I can't wait to start this tour because I'm expecting to see awesome changes in people’s lives! We're excited about partnering alongside Building 429 and Royal Tailor to create an atmosphere for the love of God.”
 
“The Great Awakening is more than a record to us, and we really feel that it’s a sound that is meant to be expressed live,” adds Leeland keyboardist Jack Mooring.  “Real revival and awakening – that’s the message. I know Building 429 and Royal Tailor have the same hearts, so it’s going to make for a powerful night, and a unified sound.”

The "Sounds of Hope" Tour is partnering with long-time supporters, Christian humanitarian organization Food for the Hungry ( www.fh.org) to secure sponsorships for children and families in impoverished countries around the world.  See below for more information on Food for the Hungry.

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 releases 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.
 

GRAMMY-nominated bands Leeland and Sanctus Real, along with The Afters, are coming to 23 cities across the U.S. on the Hungry For Love Tour this fall, October 9 through November 21. Sponsored by Food for the Hungry, the Hungry for Love tour will raise awareness for the organization’s goal of bringing relief and aid to twenty-six of the most impoverished countries in the world.

GRAMMY-nominated, Dove Award-winning Sanctus Real has sparked 15 Number 1 and Top 5 radio hits and recently released their fifth studio album, Pieces of a Real Heart, on Sparrow Records amidst growing acclaim by critics who have heralded the album as the band’s best yet.  Sanctus Real seeks to create compelling, authentic music that lives up to the meaning of their name: to be holy (Latin meaning of “sanctus”). The first radio single from the album, “Forgiven,” went to the top of the charts; becoming one of the most played Christian radio singles this year.

As Sanctus Real gets ready for the Hungry for Love Tour, their second single (“Lead Me”) is currently topping the charts as the #1 AC radio single—giving the band their first ever No. 1 AC single.  This week, “Lead Me” is also No. 1 overall on Billboard’s Christian radio national audience chart as it makes its video debut on iTunes Sept. 7.  The song is a personal confession and prayer written by lead vocalist Matt Hammitt, and it is proving to be a source of hope as he and his wife, Sarah, walk through a difficult pregnancy this fall.

GRAMMY and Dove-nominated progressive rock act Leeland has been known to deliver songwriting beyond their years with worshipful rock so genuine it disarms the honest cynic. Often quoted as one of Christian music’s most gripping live bands, Leeland has quickly been established as a leader in the worship community and beyond. While the band’s first two albums were GRAMMY nominated and drew a combined eight Dove nominations, Leeland’s measure of success has always been their appeal to their audiences’ hearts. With Leeland’s third album, Love Is On The Move, they have delivered a landmark in the deepest sense—taking their fans to that rare place where innocence and fervor meet depth of soul.

Leeland is excited to join the Hungry for Love Tour and to continuing to raise awareness for Food for the Hungry. Lead singer and guitarist, Leeland Mooring explains, “For awhile, we were just this band from Baytown, Texas, and all we saw was our little church where God had been doing awesome and incredible things. But He’s really been opening our vision to all the hurting people, especially the poor, around the world and making it clear we should help by being a part of spreading His kingdom.” This year, Leeland and keyboardist Jack Mooring were the only musicians invited to the White House for its “Compassion in Action Roundtable” targeting emerging leaders and developing the next generation of America’s social entrepreneurs and nonprofit leaders.  

Dove Award- winning band, The Afters, has found incredible success in the television arena and is releasing their third album Light Up the Sky on September 14 with INO Records. Music from the new record, including the single “Light Up the Sky”, has already been picked up by MTV’s “The Hills” for the show’s final season. The Texas-based band was propelled into the national spotlight with their INO/Sony Music Label Group debut I Wish We All Could Win. The project spawned the swirling, melodic hit “Beautiful Love,” earning the band an enthusiastic following when the song was selected as the theme track for MTV’s “8th and Ocean”. “Beautiful Love” was also the most downloaded track of 2006 on the iTunes ® Inspirational charts and garnered the band an mtvU award as well. “Grey’s Anatomy”, “Dr. Phil,” “Army Wives” and “Rachael Ray” have also used music from The Afters’ sophomore project, Never Going Back To OK, in promotion for their programming.
 
For more information please visit:
http://hungryforlovetour.com/
http://www.leelandonline.com/
http://www.sanctusreal.com/
http://theafters.com/
http://www.fh.org

(Nashville, Tenn.)  December 4, 2009 – Houston-based, progressive rock band Leeland celebrates its third career GRAMMY nomination, as announced this week, with its latest album Love Is On The Move (8/25) nominated for the year’s Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album. The band’s first two albums, Sound of Melodies (8/15/2006) and its sophomore Opposite Way (2/26/2008), were previously recognized in this category, continuing a streak of GRAMMY honors for each of the outfit’s three projects to date.

Leeland continues to influence a generation of new worshippers with its latest GRAMMY-nominated project. The title track marks a clear mission statement for Leeland, which poetically unfolded during the writing process.  A response to both physical and spiritual poverty, the lyrics of “Love Is On The Move” poignantly discuss a service-filled transformation. Love Is On The Move is produced by award-winning, veteran producer Ed Cash, and by co-producer Steve Wilson who produced and co-wrote with the band on its breakthrough debut album.
 
The album’s first radio single, “Follow You,” performed with Brandon Heath, holds at No. 9 on Billboard’s AC Indicator chart this week.  Leeland recently wrapped its 43-city, co-headlined “Follow You Tour” with Heath and special guest Francesca Battistelli, pulling together one of the most successful Christian music events of the 2009 fall touring season, playing to 50,000 fans in and inspiring 1,051 children sponsorships through a partnership with Food for the Hungry.
 
Nominations for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced Dec. 2, as part of “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night.”   The one-hour special was broadcast live on CBS from Club Nokia at L.A. Live in Los Angeles. The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Jan. 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). For a complete list of 52nd GRAMMY Awards nominees, please visit www.grammy.com.

(Nashville, Tenn.)  December 3, 2009 -- Provident Label Group artists Third Day, Leeland, Red
and Jars of Clay were honored with nominations for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards announced last night as part of “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night.”   The one-hour special was broadcast live on CBS from Club Nokia at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Atlanta-based rock band Third Day was recognized in the Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song categories for “Born Again” from its Revelation project (7/29/08).  
 
Its April 7 Live Revelations: On Stage, Off Stage, Backstage also received a nomination in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category.  Third Day has received eight prior nominations and has garnered GRAMMYs for both Wire (5/4/2004) and Come Together (10/17/2001).
 
Leeland garnered its third career nomination with its Aug. 25 release Love Is On The Move in
the Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category.  The band’s first two albums, Sound of Melodies (8/15/2006) and its sophomore Opposite Way (2/26/2008), were also previously recognized in this category.  
 
Red secures its second career nomination in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category with a nod for its sophomore Innocence & Instinct which released on Feb 10. Its first nomination was for its June 6, 2006 release End of Silence.
 
Multi-GRAMMY winners Jars of Clay received a nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category for its April 21 release, The Long Fall Back To Earth.  Jars of Clay has claimed GRAMMYs for The Eleventh Hour (3/05/2002), If I Left The Zoo (11/09/1999) and Much Afraid (9/16/1997) from its prior seven nominations.
 
GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 16 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 8, 2010, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Jan. 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Provident Label Group artists Third Day, Leeland, Red and Jars of Clay were honored with nominations for the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards as announced last night as part of “The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night.”   The one-hour special was broadcast live on CBS from Club Nokia at L.A. Live in Los Angeles.

Atlanta-based rock band Third Day was recognized in the Best Gospel Performance and Best Gospel Song category for “Born Again” from its April 7 Live Revelations: On Stage, Off Stage, Backstage.  The project also received a nomination in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category.  Third Day has received eight prior nominations and has garnered GRAMMYs for both Wire (5/4/2004) and Come Together (10/17/2001).
 
Leeland garnered its third career nomination with its Aug. 25 release Love Is On The Move in
the Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category.  The band’s first two albums, Sound of Melodies (8/15/2006) and its sophomore Opposite Way (2/26/2008), were also previously recognized in this category.  
 
Red secures its second career nomination in the Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album category with a nod for its sophomore Innocence & Instinct which released on Feb 10. Its first nomination was for its June 6, 2006 release End of Silence.
 
Multi-GRAMMY winners Jars of Clay received a nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category for its April 21 release, The Long Fall Back To Earth.  Jars of Clay has claimed GRAMMYs for The Eleventh Hour (3/05/2002), If I Left The Zoo (11/09/1999) and Much Afraid (9/16/1997) from its prior seven nominations.
 
GRAMMY ballots for the final round of voting will be mailed on Dec. 16 to the voting members of The Recording Academy. They are due back to the accounting firm of Deloitte by Jan. 8, 2010, when they will be tabulated and the results kept secret until the telecast.

The 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on “GRAMMY Sunday,” Jan. 31, 2010, at Staples Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8–11:30 p.m. (ET/PT).

Fervent/Reprise Records singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli continues to make significant headway with her acclaimed debut, My Paper Heart. From the small screen to now the big screen, Battistelli's top 5 radio hit, "I'm Letting Go," can be heard in the promotions for the just-released "Julie & Julia" movie featuring Meryl Streep and Amy Adams, while her current radio single, "It's Your Life," was heard during last week's season finale of Fox's "So You Think You Can Dance."
 
Battistelli is set to perform this fall on the 43-city "Follow You Tour" as special guest to co-headliners Brandon Heath and Leeland. The high-profile touring event kicks off Sept. 23rd in Norfolk, Nebraska and goes through November 22, ending in Birmingham, Alabama. Not one to sit back and relax, Battistelli is confirmed to also perform on Newsong's 2009 Christmas tour and will kick off next spring appearing on the "Rock and Worship Road Show," along with headliner MercyMe. Upcoming dates will be announced shortly.  

Appearing earlier this year on the 35-city nationwide 2009 WinterJam tour, Battistelli continues to perform this summer across the country at churches and festivals. She will appear in mid-September at DisneyWorld's famed "Night Of Joy."  

Grammy® nominee and GMA Dove Award winning Male Vocalist of theYear, Brandon Heath and Grammy®-nominated progressive rock act, Leeland, will co-headline the Follow You Tour in 43-cities this fall, featuring special guest Francesca Battistelli. The Follow You Tour introduces new music from Leeland’s anticipated third album titled Love Is On The Move releasing Aug. 25, and Heath’s award-winning sophomore album What If We, featuring his Dove Award-winning Song of the Year “Give Me Your Eyes” and Christian AC radio’s recent No.1 song “Wait And See.” The high-profile touring event kicks off at the Johnny Carson Theatre in Norfolk, Neb., September 23 and wraps up on November 22 at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala.
 
Along with offering audiences a night of great music and worship with three of the most popular artists in Christian music today, the Follow You Tour also engages attendees with a message close to the hearts of these artists. With a collective mission to love and serve the poor and broken, Leeland and Heath recently traveled to Cambodia. Each night on tour, audiences will hear more about that experience and have the chance to respond to each night’s worship with immediate action offering child sponsorships through Food for the Hungry.
 
Leeland, Brandon Heath and Francesca Battistelli hope to inspire Christians to engage actively with world need. “We see our calling as a band as two-fold: reaching out to the poor and reaching the ‘up-and outers.’ America’s a rich nation, but we’re spiritually poor,” explains Leeland Mooring. “We want to see God bring a personal revival in the hearts of Americans and transform our nation.”
 
“After traveling through Asia with Leeland, more specifically Cambodia, I can say that we’ve seen God with the poor,” says Brandon Heath. “This tour is about sharing what we’ve learned among the least of these. Cambodia was about going and listening and being changed. We hope that audiences will have the same experience at the Follow You Tour. We’re on the same page with each other,” explains Jack, keyboardist for Leeland. “Brandon’s heart, like ours, is focused on being about action.”
 
Brandon Heath is a respected songwriter and considered a radio hit-maker in the Nashville music
community. He first began writing at age 13 and his background is rooted in a history with Christian
youth-based organization, Young Life, which is grounded in relationship and mentoring. Heath’s most
current hit list includes Grammy®-nominated single “Give Me Your Eyes,” from sophomore release, What If We. The song was recently awarded a GMA Dove Award for Song of the Year and spent 14 weeks at No.1 on Billboard’s Hot Christian AC radio chart, and 27 weeks at No. 1 on iTunes Christian Song Chart. To date, the album’s breakout first single continues to lead digitally, selling more than 360,000 total downloads of the track across all digital providers. The second single “Wait and See” was recently the top song in the country on the Christian AC Indicator chart.

Often quoted as one of Christian music’s most gripping live bands, the 2006 debut Sound of Melodies and 2008’s Opposite Way quickly established Leeland as a leader in the worship community and beyond. While both previous albums were Grammy®-nominated and drew a combined eight Dove nominations, Leeland’s measure of success has always been the human heart. And now Leeland’s third album, Love Is On The Move is a landmark in the deepest sense.
 
Featured guest for the Follow You Tour is Francesca Battistelli, who received five Dove Nominations in 2009, a remarkable feat for a new artist. Francesca continues to experience chart-breaking radio success, substantial play on popular TV and film and contagious online fan interaction. “It's Your Life” from My Paper Heart releases on July 10 and follows debut chart-topping single, “Free To Be Me”, which was the first No.1 single from a female artist on AC radio since 2005 also ranking her as the most added female artist and new artist in Christian radio history. “I’m so excited to be part of this Fall tour with Leeland and Brandon,” says Francesca. “This tour is a great opportunity for us to all take a step outside of our comfort zone and move deliberately toward helping others and answering the call to action that the Lord establishes for each one of us, each day.”
 

(Nashville, Tenn.)  July 20, 2009 – GRAMMY and Dove-nominated progressive rock act, Leeland will release its third studio album, Love Is On The Move on August 25. For the first time, Leeland teams up with award-winning, veteran producer Ed Cash (Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band) and reunites with co-producer Steve Wilson (Fish, Hawk Nelson) who co-wrote three songs on Leeland’s debut, including the title cut “Sound of Melodies.”
 
As Leeland continues to influence a generation of new worshippers, the album’s title track marks a clear mission statement for Leeland, which poetically unfolded during the writing process.  A response to both physical and spiritual poverty, the lyrics of “Love Is On The Move” poignantly discuss a service-filled transformation.
 
“Worship, justice and action are not separate,” explains lead singer and guitarist Leeland Mooring. “They are united. They work together. When you have an amazing encounter with God and you experience His love during worship, the fruit of that should be your life overflowing with action and love – justice – to the world around you.”
 
Leeland adds, “God’s really been opening our vision to hurting people, especially the poor, around the world and making it clear we should help by being a part of spreading His kingdom.” He references 1 John 3:18 as a source of inspiration for the thoughts and ideas represented on the new album, connecting them back to the purpose for their music. “If we’re not loving people, then we’re just making a bunch of noise,” Leeland notes.
 
Keyboardist Jack Mooring is quick to agree. “We don’t want to sing another song if we’re not taking care of the poor. If we’re not being the hands and feet of Jesus, we might as well just stop making records and go home.”
Jack states, “We see our calling as a band as two-fold: reaching out to the poor and reaching the ‘up-and-outers.’ America’s a rich nation, but we’re spiritually poor. We want to see God bring a personal revival in the hearts of Americans and transform our nation.”
Cash sensed the remarkable vision behind the band’s recent project from the start. “It was so apparent from day one that God was the star and the focus,” he says. “Unlike any record I’ve ever made, we started most every day with about an hour of unplanned prayer and worship, just getting caught up into the presence of God. And I’m certain that is reflected in the music.”
 
The album’s first single “Follow You,” goes for adds Aug. 7 at Christian radio. The hit-bound song, featuring Leeland with friend and GMA’s Male Vocalist of the Year Brandon Heath, reinforces the same action-centric message of meeting the needs of the poor and broken, as Heath sings, “When I was dead You gave me life / How could I not give it away so freely,” and Leeland responds, “I’ll Follow You into the homes of the broken.”
 
The collaboration continues this fall as Leeland reunites with Heath to co-headline the “Follow You Tour,” welcoming special guest Francesca Battistelli.  The artists will give audiences the chance to respond to each night’s worship with immediate action as they strongly recommend child sponsorships through Food for the Hungry.

GRAMMY-nominated, progressive rock band Leeland will be hitting the road with Jars of Clay for the LOVE CAME DOWN: A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT tour. The bands will be joined by the recently reunited Sixpence None The Richer, along with Sara Groves as they embark on a 13-city tour filled with holiday songs and stories in celebration of the Christmas season.

 

Catch LOVE CAME DOWN: A CHRISTMAS PAGEANT on the following dates:

Dec 4               Montgomery, AL @ Montgomery Performing Arts Center

Dec 5               Longwood, FL @ Northland Church

Dec 6               Pompano Beach, FL @ Pompano Beach Amphitheatre

Dec 7               Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Echerd Hall

Dec 13             Grand Rapids, MI @ Sunshine Church

Dec 14             Merrillville, IN @ Star Plaza Theatre

Dec 17             Glenside, PA @Keswick Theatre

Dec 18             Plymouth, MA @ Memorial Hall

Dec 19             Lewiston, ME @ Androscoggin Bank Coliseum

Dec 20             Long Island City, NY @ Evangel Church

Dec 21             Harrisburg, PA @ Whitaker Center for the Science and Arts

Progressive rock band Leeland launched TheOppositeWay.com this week, an online home for all fans to share their stories about how they're living life the opposite way, and to be encouraged to continue to do so. Leeland Mooring shares, “It is our heart’s desire to help raise up a new generation of worshippers, who aren’t afraid to live different from the world; who aren’t afraid to live the opposite way. You aren’t going to look cool, and you’re not going to fit in when living the opposite way. However, the peace and contentment in the arms of Jesus, are worth everything, compared to the nothingness that this passing world will offer.” Join the movement at www.TheOppositeWay.com.

(Nashville, Tenn.) June 20, 2008 – Dove Award-nominated, progressive rock band Leeland’s song “Brighter Days” will be used in this Sunday’s (June 22) episode of Army Wives, on the Lifetime Television Network. The program will air at 10pm ET (9pm CT). “Brighter Days” is from the five member-band’s sophomore project Opposite Way, which released on February 26, 2008 (Essential Records). Army Wives is one of Lifetime TV’s most popular shows, and according to NielsenMedia.com, Army Wives was the second-highest viewed Cable TV Program for the week of June 9, 2008, with 4,196,000 viewers. Currently in its second season, Army Wives tells the story of a woman who is married to a soldier and moves her family onto an Army base, where she becomes friends with other women whose husbands are in the military. “Brighter Days” will also be promoted on the show’s music webpage, http://www.mylifetime.com/on-tv/shows/army-wives/army-wives-music-guide.

Music Supervisor for Army Wives, Frankie Pine, of Whirly Girls, shares, “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 Baytown, Texas-based band has had its hands full since the release of its debut album, including collecting a 2007 GRAMMY Award nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category; non-stop touring across North America and even Japan, including a series of major festival appearances, headlining shows and opening for Casting Crowns on the entire Fall 2007 through Spring 2008 “The Altar and the Door” arena tour; four band Dove Award nominations (38th Annual) in categories as diverse as New Artist of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Sound of Melodies”), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies) and Praise and Worship Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies). Leeland and Jack Mooring (Leeland’s brother) received two additional Dove Award nominations each, as songwriters, in the Worship Song category for “Yes You Have,” and the Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song category for “Sound of Melodies.”

Leeland is: Leeland Mooring (lead vocals, guitar); Jack Mooring (keyboard, background vocals); Jake Holtz (bass); Mike Smith (drums); and Matt Campbell (lead guitar).

COMPASSIONART SONGWRITERS RECORD IN NASHVILLE, JOINED BY GUEST VOCALISTS TOBYMAC, LEELAND MOORING

Record Labels Discuss Jointly Releasing Upcoming Album To Benefit The World’s Poorest Of The Poor

(Nashville, TN) March 19, 2008 – Compassionart songwriters, Paul Baloche, Steven Curtis Chapman, Andy Park, Martin Smith and Michael W. Smith continued to record songs last week that were written during a retreat in January. Meeting at Pentavarit Studio in Nashville, the studio hummed with activity as the songwriters were joined by guest vocalists tobyMac and Leeland Mooring (of the band Leeland), each putting down their signature vocals on tracks that were started at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. Friends like Charlie Peacock and Eddie DeGarmo dropped by to spend time with the songwriters, as well as listen to the progression of the Compassionart songs. Guiding the tracks at the production helm for this recording session was Matt Bronleewe (Natalie Imbruglia, “Evan Almighty” [Soundtrack], dc Talk, “Heroes” star Hayden Panettiere) and Paul Moak (Mat Kearney, Shane & Shane, Derek Webb), and engineering was Andy Hunt (Jars of Clay, Good Charlotte, Buddy Guy).

Nashville’s top daily paper, The Tennessean, broke the news Wednesday about the recording session and a meeting that Compassionart founder and Delirious? frontman Martin Smith was to have with record labels about jointly releasing the upcoming Compassionart album. Martin was quoted as saying, “This is a challenge for the industry, as I am talking to the labels now about how to put this album out together.” Following the meeting that included EMI CMG President and CEO Bill Hearn, Provident Music Group President and CEO Terry Hemmings and Integrity Media Chief Marketing Officer Daniel McGuffey, Martin was encouraged, saying, “There was a real spirit of wanting to work together.” The resulting Compassionart studio album is being planned for a late fall release.

Compassionart, a charity based in Littlehampton, England and dedicated to seeing works of art generate income for the poorest of the poor, hosted a songwriter’s retreat in Scotland, UK. Working together toward a common goal involving no personal gain, the songwriters set out to write 10-12 songs and, by the end of the retreat, had completed 22 new songs. In addition to those recording this week, Compassionart songwriters include Stu Garrard (Delirious?), Israel Houghton, Tim Hughes, Graham Kendrick, Matt Redman, Chris Tomlin, and Darlene Zschech. Together the songwriters account for at least 42 million albums sold, 82 No. 1 songs, 10 GRAMMY Awards, 110 Dove Awards, two Stellar Awards, two American Music Awards, and 98 current CCLI Top 500 songs sung by millions in churches around the world.

The first Compassionart song that will be released is “So Great,” recorded by Michael W. Smith, Christy Nockels and Israel Houghton and to be featured on the WOW Hits 1 release in April.

In addition to the songwriters, the publishers, managers, copyright institutes and agents involved have all waived their rights and are donating their efforts on this project to Compassionart. The songs are to be given through Compassionart to the world not just to sing, but also to raise money for the relief of suffering around the planet. One half of the monies received over the songs’ lifetimes will go to the songwriters’ charity of choice, and the other 50% will go to a charitable project agreed upon by all the songwriters involved.

For more information on Compassionart, go to http://compassionart.co.uk/.

Progressive Rock Band Currently On Tour with Casting Crowns, on “The Altar and The Door Tour”

(Nashville, Tenn.) March 5, 2008 – GRAMMY and Dove Award-nominated band Leeland’s brand new, second in-studio album, Opposite Way(2/26/08), is certainly heading in the right direction, as it debuted this week at No. 72 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart, and at No. 5 on the Christian (overall) album chart. Additionally, as of today, “Count Me In,” the initial single from Opposite Way, is being counted in to the Top 10 of the R&R CHR Chart. Leeland is currently on tour with multi-platinum Christian rock band, Casting Crowns, on “The Altar and The Door Tour.” For the latest tour dates, visit www.myspace.com/leelandmusic.

Jack Mooring, keyboardist in Leeland, shares the heart behind Opposite Way, “Our band is trying to raise up a new generation of young worshippers who aren’t afraid to live different than the world; who aren’t afraid to live the opposite way.” Opposite Way was produced by Matt Bronleewe (Michael W. Smith, Natalie Imbruglia), mixed by Ben Grosse (Ben Folds, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at Smoak Stack Studios and Pentavarit Studios.

For the 39th Annual GMA Dove Awards, Leeland is nominated in the category of Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song, for “Tears of the Saints,” from the band’s debut project, Sound of Melodies (nods also going to songwriters, Leeland Mooring and Jack Mooring). The GMA Dove Awards show will be presented on April 23, 2008 at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville and broadcast live on Gospel Music Channel. A complete list of nominations is available online at www.doveawards.com.

The Baytown, Texas-based band has had its hands full since the release of its debut album, including collecting a 2007 GRAMMY Award nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category; non-stop touring across North America and even Japan, including a series of major festival appearances, headlining shows and opening for Casting Crowns on the entire Fall 2007 through Spring 2008 “The Altar and The Door” arena tour; five total Dove Award nominations (38th and 39th Annual) in categories as diverse as New Artist of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Sound of Melodies”), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies) and Praise and Worship Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies).

Leeland is: Leeland Mooring (lead vocals, guitar); Jack Mooring (keyboard, background vocals); Jake Holtz (bass); Mike Smith (drums); and Matt Campbell (lead guitar).

For all upcoming tour dates and additional information on Leeland, visit www.leelandonline.com or www.myspace.com/leelandmusic.

(Nashville, Tenn.) Feb. 29, 2008 – Dove Award-nominated, progressive rock band, Leeland’s Opposite Way, which released this Tuesday (Feb. 26), has arrived hot out of the gates, currently sitting atop iTunes Christian album sales chart. Named one of RELEVANT Magazine’s “2008 Most Anticipated Releases,” Opposite Way was produced by Matt Bronleewe (Michael W. Smith, Natalie Imbruglia), mixed by Ben Grosse (Ben Folds, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and was recorded in Nashville, Tenn. at Smoak Stack Studios and Pentavarit Studios. The GRAMMY-nominated band is in the middle of Casting Crowns’ “The Altar and The Door Tour,” serving as the direct opener. “Count Me In,” the current single from Leeland is climbing at CHR Radio, currently No. 12.

The Baytown, Texas-based band has had its hands full since the 2006 release of its debut album (Sound of Melodies), including collecting a 2007 GRAMMY Award nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category; non-stop touring across North America and even Japan, including a series of major festival appearances, headlining shows and opening for Casting Crowns on the entire Fall 2007 through Spring 2008 “The Altar and The Door” arena tour; five band Dove Award nominations (38th and 39th Annual) in categories as diverse as New Artist of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Sound of Melodies”), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies) and Praise and Worship Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies). Leeland Mooring currently has five Dove Award nominations as a songwriter, while brother Jack Mooring has four.

The eleven-track album comprises the following tracks: “Opposite Way,” “Count Me In,” “Let It Out Now,” “Enter This Temple,” “Wake Up,” “Beginning and the End,” “Brighter Days,” “Falling for You,” “Don’t Go Away,” “Thief in the Night” and “May Our Praise.”

Leeland is: Leeland Mooring (lead vocals, guitar); Jack Mooring (keyboard, background vocals); Jake Holtz (bass); Mike Smith (drums); and Matt Campbell (lead guitar).

Four-time Dove Award-nominated progressive rock band, Leeland, has announced the February 26, 2008 release of its second studio album, Opposite Way (Essential Records). Opposite Way was produced by Matt Bronleewe (Michael W. Smith, Natalie Imbruglia), mixed by Ben Grosse (Ben Folds, Red Hot Chili Peppers) and was recorded in Nashville, Tennessee at Smoak Stack Studios and Pentavarit Studios.

Leeland front man, Leeland Mooring, shares about the heart behind the band’s new album, “Opposite Way is a call to our generation to passionately walk the ‘opposite way’ of the world; that it’s ok to live the Christian life and be on fire for God, even if it makes us look different. We want to encourage, inspire and raise up a new generation of worshippers.”

“I’ve never seen a band with as much raw energy and God-given talent as Leeland,” shares Opposite Way producer, Matt Bronleewe. “Leeland is the kind of band you dream about working with: the guys are innocently passionate about their message, and intensely persuasive in their delivery. In every sense, their new album Opposite Way is the direction music needs to be going in.”

The Baytown, Texas-based band has had its hands full since the release of its debut album, including collecting a 2007 GRAMMY Award nomination in the Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album category; non-stop touring across North America and even Japan, including a series of major festival appearances, headlining shows and opening for Casting Crowns on the entire Fall 2007 through Spring 2008 “The Altar and the Door” arena tour; four band Dove Award nominations (38th Annual) in categories as diverse as New Artist of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (“Sound of Melodies”), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies) and Praise and Worship Album of the Year (Sound of Melodies). Leeland and Jack Mooring (Leeland’s brother) received two additional Dove Award nominations each, as songwriters, in the Worship Song category for “Yes You Have,” and the Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song category for “Sound of Melodies.”

The eleven-track album comprises the following tracks: “Opposite Way,” “Count Me In,” “Let It Out Now,” “Enter This Temple,” “Wake Up,” “Beginning and the End,” “Brighter Days,” “Falling for You,” “Don’t Go Away,” “Thief in the Night” and “May Our Praise.”

Leeland is: Leeland Mooring (lead vocals, guitar); Jack Mooring (keyboard, background vocals); Jake Holtz (bass); Mike Smith (drums); and Matt Campbell (lead guitar).

For all upcoming tour dates and additional information on Leeland, visit www.leelandonline.com or www.myspace.com/leelandmusic.

GRAMMY and Dove award-nominated bandLeeland played in front of 70,000 – their biggest audience to date – at Creation East on Friday, June 29, at the Agape Farm outside Pittsburgh, Pa. “When we got on stage we were so nervous,” comments frontman Leeland Mooring. “We were playing in front of 70,000 people. It was ridiculous! You have to remember we were practicing in a funeral home two years ago and leading worship for our youth group of 70.” The band’s first appearance at the Cornerstone Festival in Bushnell, Ill. was the next day, so the dedicated rockers drove straight through the night in order to perform for their fans in Illinois. Leeland is heading for the west coast next, with a concert on July 7 at the Rose Bowl Stadium in Pasadena, Calif.

Progressive rock band Leeland will release its debut project, Sound of Melodies, August 15, 2006, on Essential Records. Musically, Sound of Melodies offers layer upon layer of emotional and epic melodies that have impacted the imagination and hearts of all who have heard it.

"Leeland is the best thing I have heard in a long, long time. I can't stop singing the songs in my head. Great melodies...great band...great voice."
- Michael W. Smith

“A band like Leeland doesn’t come around that often. Great songs, great atmosphere and a harp like voice that will pierce the hardest of hearts. A genuine tonic for a music scene that has sadly staled, this record sounds like a heart cry for a lost generation. I’m a fan and can’t wait to get them to England.”
- Martin Smith, Delirious?

"So much talent and so much depth for such a young group. They will be a core artist for Christian CHR and Christian rock for years to come."
- Kevin Peterson, Radio and Records

“If Leeland’s live show is any indication of the band’s promise, we’d better brace for big things.”
- Tyler Clark, Relevant Magazine

“I can tend to be leery of debut albums that come on the heels of seemingly over-the-top hype. As someone who loves to be pleasantly surprised by genuine excellence, I’ve been let down more than a few too many times. Enter Essential recording artist Leeland. And the pre-release hype? Probably more profuse than anything I’ve experienced since Delirious came on the scene eight years ago. What I discovered when I hit “play” was worshipful rock that surpassed Sonicflood’s debut and, yes, was actually on par with Delirious’ bow. Now THAT was a pleasant surprise.”
- Jay Swartzendruber, Editor, CCM Magazine

“While most artists take years, even careers trying to find a balance between musical and lyrical artistry, somehow a bunch of kids from Baytown, Texas have seemingly unlocked the key to that mysterious door in one seamless step. Leeland presents a message that both offers hope to a dying world and challenges an awakening Church. If passionate Brit-rock influenced songs like “Reaching,” “Sounds of Melodies” and “Tears of the Saints" don’t move you, consider checking into the local ER before it’s too late.”
- Chad Bonham, Contributing Editor, New Man Magazine

“The first time I saw Leeland, it only lasted fifteen minutes. But, in that short amount of time I was filled with enough inspiration to last me the next decade. The blatant passion, innocence, and power that erupts from these young men is supernatural. With songs and anthems that cut to the core and break you at your knees, Leeland is something everyone needs to experience. Never underestimate the young.”
- Davey Paul, lead vocalist, Kids In The Way

“Leeland is one of the finest progressive rock bands I’ve heard in years. Their sound is fresh and addictive. I keep playing their CD over and over. These five young guys are fun, original and committed to worship. It’s clear they have a heart for reaching lost souls. Radio and audiences nationwide will love them.”
- Dave Koch, Publisher/Editor-In-Chief, CRW

“I was most impressed with Leeland’s professionalism on stage, despite the band members’ young age. They had come to worship God with their talents, and that’s just what they did. I don’t think their performance would have been any different even if there was no audience in the room.”
- Martha Krienke, Brio / Brio & Beyond

“Encountering Leeland either in concert or on disc, you get the impression that if you're just observing and not participating, you don't really get what the music is all about, so the best thing to do is seize the moment and soak up the experience.”
- DeWayne Hamby, Christian Retailing

“Leeland is one of those rare artists who is blessed with an amazing and pure talent and an equally inspiring heart after God.”
- Marc Byrd, Songwriter/Producer
(Co-writer of “God of Wonders”)

Leeland will be on the road this summer playing dates that include: Alive Festival, Creation East, Soulfest and Kingdom Bound Festival. Additional dates are being added and are available at www.myspace.com/leelandmusic.