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Leeland music biography continued...

on the youngest member of the group, frontman/songwriter/guitarist, Leeland Mooring. The charismatic Mooring wrote his first song at the age of 11 as the Mooring family, including brother Jack, traveled with two evangelists ministering throughout the United States. 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. He entered Embassy Music's Ultimate Talent Search where he was a finalist in the songwriting and artist divisions. Although he didn't take home a trophy, Leeland garnered he attention of contest judge and now-manager Kent Coley, who felt Leeland possessed something extra special. A year later, Leeland grabbed the attention of Eddie DeGarmo, President of EMI CMG Publishing and signed a songwriting contract with EMI CMG Publishing. Soon, the promise of a recording contract emerged and Leeland got a band together in his hometown consisting of brother Jack and Jake Holtz, who played bass for the music team at church, plus friends Jeremiah Wood (guitar) and Mike Smith (drums). They were now ready to conquer CCM.



Leeland's debut album, Sound of Melodies, was released in August 2006. At the 49th Grammy Awards in December 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. After some lineup changes, the band released their sophomore album, Opposite Way, in February 2008. The album peaked at #72 on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart and also reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Albums chart. "Leeland is the best thing I have heard in a long, long time," says Grammy Award-winning Christian artist Michael W. Smith. "I can't stop singing the songs in my head. Great melodies. Great band. Great voice." Their fans think so, too.