10 Questions with ... Leeland

BRIEF CAREER SYNOPSIS:

LINE-UP:

• Leeland Mooring (vocals)
• Jack Mooring (keys)
• Mike Smith (drums)
• Shelly Mooring (bass)

LABEL:

• Essential Records

DISCOGRAPHY:

• Great Awakening (2011)
• Love Is On The Move (2009)
• Opposite Way (2008)
• Sound of Melodies (2006)

1) What's the story behind the latest AC single "I Wonder"?

The song was written during a family vacation to Colorado. We had a blast for a week just being together. Our family is very musical, so a big part of our vacation time is spent singing and writing songs for fun. I was on the porch one morning that week staring at the mountains (it was gorgeous!), and I was asking Jesus to just restore my wonder of the cross like I had when I first was saved. He just dropped the lyrics into my heart and I sang it for my mom in the living room of the house we were staying. She cried, so I guess it was a good thing. Ha!

2) And the story behind the CHR single, "The Great Awakening"?

There was a man named Lawrence Tribble who wrote a poem about the Great Awakening Revival that swept across the colonies in the late 1700s. I read his poem in an American history book at my brother's house and the lyrics just moved me. So I put the lyrics, as is, to a melody I had and it just worked! I believe the message is contagious.

3) What's the message or theme behind the new album "The Great Awakening"?

We want to see God awaken America and my generation again! What stamped the Great Awakening as something supernatural, was that masses of people were literally changed and transformed by the power of the gospel! In a matter of days whole cities were turned upside down! We long to see supernatural things happen, miracles, signs and wonders but most of all we long to see radical changes in the character, mind and heart of individuals by the power of Jesus Christ! That's what these songs are crying out for: an awakening!

4) Who or what inspires you guys to keep doing what you're doing, creating music and staying on the road as Leeland?

We have tremendous parents and spouses that have always supported us and breathed life into our dreams as young kids, telling us that we can do anything through Jesus who gives us strength. Also the Holy Spirit keeps our flame burning bright! I heard someone say, "I don't keep my fire burning but the fire keeps me burning"! It definitely has it's challenges, traveling like we do, but anytime we're down, our families and the Holy Spirit remind us that it's not the one who runs the swiftest but the one who endures to the end that receives the reward. We want to finish strong.

5) Do you have any inspiring stories from recent radio visits?

We had the opportunity to meet a man who was homeless most of his teenage years. He told us that one night while living on the streets he found a radio in a trashcan. It was tuned to the local Christian radio station and for many nights he would sleep next to it while the message of the gospel encouraged him to keep going. Eventually he gave his life to Jesus and now works for that same radio station today!

6) Do you have a favorite song on the new album?

I love the song "All over the Earth." It reminds me of when we started leading worship for twenty kids every Thursday. It has the same heart to it as our earlier years.

7) Is there a favorite song that you guys love to perform live?

One of our favorites to play right now is "While We Sing." The message of the song inspires us personally to do more for Jesus with our life.

8) Where is your favorite place to play?

Tokyo, Japan! We've played in that city two times and we are already trying to figure out how we're going to go back. Ha! We love the culture, the people and their hunger for Jesus.

9) What song do you wish you had written?

The hymn "Sweet Hour of Prayer." It's some of the most beautiful lyrics and melody I've ever heard.

10) Do you have much time to check out other artists' music? What are you listening to right now?

Yes, we do have time to listen to other artists with how much we are in airplanes and busses. Ha! Right now I'm listening to Jesus Culture's latest album and Jon Hopkins, an instrumentalist who has a couple of really beautiful musical pieces that I love to pray to.