Leeland

biography

Leeland made their debut UK appearance at Frenzy 2007, creating a buzz which rippled out across the UK Christian music scene. They will playing again at Frenzy 2008 in June and further concert dates in the UK are to be confirmed.

Fronting the enthusiastic five-piece Texas outfit is the gifted 19-year-old songwriter and charismatic performer Leeland Mooring. This unassuming, fresh-faced vocalist and guitar player writes with wisdom beyond his years. He’s transparent in his love and gratitude to God and unflinching in his passion for reaching his generation for Christ. “So many kids are lost when it comes to having a true relationship with God, even ones who go to church,” Leeland says. “Whenever we play, our main goal is to be able to minister to our generation.”
The band’s age-range is 19-24 years old, giving them an ability to speak to high school and college age listeners, not to mention adults of all associations interested in artful musical expressions and a spirit of revitalisation.

Leeland’s debut album, released in 2006, was a great success with its blend of emotional, majestic melodies constructed on rock influences. The follow up, “Opposite Way”, released in early 2008, continued the themes and message of this young but mature band. Leeland’s music contains layer upon layer of emotional, majestic melodies constructed on rock influences, European groups such as Travis, Coldplay, Delirious, Doves, and Godfrey Birtill, among others.

“Leeland is the best thing I have heard in a long, long time,” says Award-winning artist Michael W. Smith. “I can't stop singing the songs in my head. Great melodies. Great band. Great voice.”

“What people hear on the record is five young guys that have hearts to glorify God,” says Leeland’s brother Jack, Leeland keyboardist and youth minister at the band’s home church in Baytown, Texas. “That’s what it’s all about for us: Declaring to God and to people how amazing He is.”

Leeland Mooring wrote his first song at the age of 11 as the Mooring family, including brother Jack, travelled with two evangelists ministering throughout the United States. Like flint to kindling, that single spark lit a fire in Leeland’s heart for songwriting. It was during this spiritually formative season that Leeland began to sense a spiritual calling to music.

The Moorings exchanged fulltime itinerate ministry for parish work in 2000, launching a church in the family’s hometown, Baytown, Texas, near Houston. At age 14, Leeland began to take his efforts to a different level, eventually getting a recording contract for his band.

As much a performer as a writer, Leeland itched to play his new songs live. He easily convinced friends back home to join him. In addition to his brother Jack, Leeland the band is comprised of Jake Holtz who played bass for the music team at church, plus friends Jeremiah Wood (guitar) and Mike Smith (drums). Practicing nightly in a funeral home parlour, the men learned to turn mourning into dancing.

“Our responsibility as a band,” according to Jack, “is to be a light to people and to fulfil the Great Commission. Secondly, our vision is to write songs that are vessels for the presence of God. Through our songs, we hope people experience God in such a new way that they are inspired to draw closer to him.”
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