WELCOME to the official Chuck Leavell website! Chuck is one of the most respected and sought-after piano players and keyboardists in modern music history, as well as one of the most dedicated and revered conservationists in the world. His work both as a solo artist and as a musician with The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, The Allman Brothers Band, The Black Crowes, Gov’t Mule, Train and many others is among the most accomplished of any living keyboardist. Chuck is an inductee in both the Georgia Music Hall of Fame and the Alabama Music Hall of Fame. His latest CD Live In Germany was just released on Evergreen Arts Records, and he also appears with the Rolling Stones on their new CD, A Bigger Bang. He's now finally home after two years on the road with the Rolling Stones World Tour. Musician, author, speaker, conservationist and family man, Chuck Leavell remains active in all of these endeavors.
Thanks for visiting us, enjoy browsing!
GeorgiaTrend.com: 100 Most Influential Georgians - Power List
This is the 12th edition of Georgia Trend's 100 Most Influential Georgians, and it's different from the others for one main reason - the speaker of the House did not make the cut this year. At presstime, Rep. David Ralston had been chosen by the GOP caucus, but the full House will not vote until the legislature is in session.
In the information age, news travels fast, but it often happens without regard to deadlines. It took a runoff election and, after that, a vote recount in December to choose Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, who is on this year's list.
Also, on this year's roster of influential Geor-gians are people from business and industry, politics and government, science and education, philanthropy, healthcare - men and women helping guide the state during the roughest economic patch in decades.
Chuck Leavell
Musician, Tree Farmer,
Author, Eco-entrepreneur
Bullard / Age: 57
Leavell, keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, is a member of both the Alabama and Georgia music halls of fame. The only forest farmer to twice be named Georgia Tree Farmer of the Year (he was National Outstanding Tree Farmer for 1999, also), Leavell launched the Mother Nature Network (www.mnn.com) in 2009, offering the latest in environmental news and advice.
Chuck Leavell to perform at 2010 Wanee Music Festival
Chuck Leavell & the Randall Bramblett Band have confirmed two shows in April 2010! On April 16, Chuck Leavell will be part of the Wanee Music Festival in Live Oak, FL and on April 17th the band will play the Hawkinsville Opera House in Hawkinsville, GA. The Wanee Music Festival is an annual festival hosted by the Allman Brothers Band and this year the line-up includes the Allman Brothers Band, Widespread Panic, Bob Weir - Rob Wasserman & Jay Lane are Scaring the Children, Stephen Stills, The Black Keys, Dr. John, Hot Tuna Electric, 7 Walkers feat. Bill Kreutzmann & Papa Mali, JJ Grey and Mofro, Johnny Winter & more! Tickets for this festival are on sale NOW!
While most of Albany is recovering from Thanksgiving overindulgience or participating in Black Friday madness tomorrow, staff at GraceWay Recovery Residence in Albany will be preparing and mailing out personalized invitations asking sponsors, patrons and friends to support the organization's annual fundraiser.
That event being a Feb. 5 showcase by keyboard magician Chuck Leavell, their task shouldn't be overly difficult.
Click here to find out more!
"What we're trying to do is have GraceWay sell all of the orchestra-level seating (at the Albany Municipal Auditorium) for the show," Development Director Liz Dixon said Tuesday. "We're sending out personal invitations to organizations, past friends of GraceWay and to the beautiful business community that donated items for our silent auction over the last four years.
"We wanted to give them a special opportunity to thank them for their prior years of support."
Famed cook and Albany native Paula Deen has been the featured entertainment for recent GraceWay fundraisers, but this year's event will showcase a musician who made his mark as a member of the Allman Brothers Band and as a part of the last several mammoth Rolling Stones tours.
TuscaloosaNews.com: Chuck Leavell returns to his hometown to play the Bama
Seated at the head of a lively table at Natalia's, an intimate Italian restaurant in Macon, Ga., Chuck Leavell is engaged in animated conversation. The world-renowned musician has played with the likes of the Allman Brothers, Eric Clapton and the Rolling Stones, with a successful solo career as well. But Leavell isn't telling stories of rock 'n' roll glory days - and he's got some good stories. Instead, the pianist and avid environmentalist is excitedly comparing "apps" on his iPhone with our photography editor, both of them wielding their techie toys like schoolboys comparing lunches. He's showing off his latest download, an interface that gathers top news headlines from publications around the world and delivers them menu-style to the screen. As news people, we find this pretty cool.
And this is typical Chuck - humble, accommodating, charming and equally as interested in us as we are in him. For all of his worldly travels and rock-star adventures, he's a true Southern boy at heart, and has never strayed from his roots - roots that were cultivated in Tuscaloosa. Today, he returns with a performance at the Bama Theatre, and the city that watched him grow and succeed can't wait to welcome him back.
Last week, we introduced you to Chuck Leavell who already had quite a musical career by the time he turned 20. He and his Tuscaloosa band, the Misfitz, had their own local TV show while still in their teens. By 17 Chuck had played on his first gold record. At 20 he was touring with the legendary Allman Brothers.
Just when his musical career seemed to be over, a dramatic change caused Chuck to rethink his life and legacy.
Tonight chuck picks up the story at a dramatic moment when he became a rolling stone, a custodian of a family tradition and he tells us why this month he is returning to his roots, which are still Absolutely Alabama.
Anderson Cooper 360: What trees give us - and how we can give back
Chuck Leavell - Environmentalist, Author and Musician
In an age where we often hear about the alarming worldwide effects of climate change, global warming, and greenhouse gases, it is easy to forget that some solutions lie within our grasp.
Trees, particularly in urban areas, provide numerous benefits. They improve air and water quality, conserve water and reduce storm runoff, help reduce heat caused by buildings and pavement, and absorb carbon. It is up to us to ensure these trees are providing the maximum benefit and that we do our part to keep them healthy.
That's where research comes in. On July 19, America's largest fundraiser for tree research, the STIHL Tour des Trees, will kick off from New York City. Cyclists from across the world gather each year to travel more than 500 miles across different routes through the United States to benefit the Tree Research and Education Endowment (TREE) Fund and to raise awareness for the need for research to keep urban trees and forests healthy.
KGO-TV San Francisco, CA: Rock star advocating for Mother Nature
A lot of celebrities are calling for change in our society, but very few are actually acting on it. But, one rock star is hoping he can turn his celebrity into action.
Life on a 2,500-acre farm southeast of Atlanta is not how you would imagine most rock stars living, but Chuck Leavell would not have it any other way. That is because Leavell is not your average musician.
He was a member of the Allman Brothers band in the 1970's, but, for the past 25 years he has played with the Rolling Stones.
"It's been a wonderful ride... It really has. I have been so fortunate to work with so many different, wonderful artists," he told ABC7's Dan Ashley.
Chuck Leavell is one of the most-talented keyboardists in rock and roll history, but the former Allman Brother and current Rolling Stone also is one of the leading tree farmers and environmentalists in the United States. Chuck's latest project is the Mother Nature Network, and it's clear that he puts as much energy and passion into caring for the land as he does when he plays music. To help promote awareness of Earth Day on April 22, please enjoy this insightful and informative conversation with Chuck Leavell of the Mother Nature Network.
How did you come to be involved with the Mother Nature Network?
Joel Babbit is a friend of mine from Atlanta who I have known for five or six years, and he has had a stellar career in advertising and public relations. Joel has represented companies like Dell Computer, AT&T and other biggies, he was largely responsible for all the publicity for the Atlanta Aquarium, and he worked for a year on the '96 Olympics. Joel is a real team player, a very brilliant guy, and very civically involved. Joel called me and asked me to meet with him, and he said, "Listen - I've been doing some research, and think we may have an opportunity here." I asked him what he had in mind, and he said, "I represent a lot of companies that want to get out to the public exactly what they are doing environmentally. They may be taking steps to save energy, or doing other things that are environmentally friendly, and they want the public to know. These clients come to me, asking where they need to be for exposure to get these messages out. It's obvious that the internet is a place that people are going to more and more for all kinds of information. My clients have been asking where on the internet they can get exposure, and I've been researching, and I want to show you what I've found." Joel showed me what he had found, and I was familiar with some of them, like www.treehugger.com, which has around for about ten years now. There also is www.grist.org, which is another fairly well-known environmental site. There are some others, but in my opinion, they weren't that great, and the information they were putting forward we felt could be better.
Performing with the Rolling Stones would be a pinnacle accomplishment for most musicians. Chuck Leavell won't be satisfied until he saves the planet.
Leavell doesn't let moss grow on his farm or in his life onstage.
Performing with the Rolling Stones would be a pinnacle accomplishment for most musicians. Chuck Leavell won't be satisfied until he saves the planet. One of the most sought-after pianists in the recording industry, Leavell is most known for his contributions to the Allman Brothers Band in the early '70s and his multi-decade career with Mick, Keith and the rest of the Rolling Stones.
But his longest association began in 1981, when Leavell and his wife inherited his grandmother's diversified farm. Soon after, he was backstage at concerts reading anything and everything on crop farming, land use and ecology. His fellow rock stars at the time, blues act The Fabulous Thunderbirds, didn't know what to make of their studious piano player."They scratched their heads," Leavell said in an interview with The Press. "They said, 'What the heck is Chuck doing in the corner over there studying these forestry books?'"
Leavell has learned a lot more on the subject since then. Visiting Coeur d'Alene for the first time, Leavell shared his message of conservation at last week's Small Log Conference at The Coeur d'Alene Resort. "It was Theodore Roosevelt who said over a hundred years ago that until we solve the problems connected to our natural lands, we really don't stand much chance of solving the other problems that face us, and I believe that's true today just like it was then," he said.
BluesWax - Chuck Leavell: A Solid, Good Time For All
The 2005-2007 Rolling Stones' tour was Chuck Leavell's twenty-fifth year with the world's greatest Rock 'n' Roll band. The later summer of 2007 found Leavell back with the Stones for a European tour and when the tour ended in August of 2007 Leavell played on in Europe. He did a solo tour called "Green Leaves and Blue Notes," where he performed and recorded with a band of German musicians. The result is captured on a new double, live CD called Chuck Leavell: Live In Germany. This band recorded several of Leavell's original tunes, plus their take on covers of classic songs that Leavell played with the Allman Brothers ("Jessica" and "Statesboro Blues"), as well as the Stones ("Tumbling Dice," "Honky Tonk Woman," and "Rip this Joint").
One of the several highlights include a rousing rendition of Eugene McDaniel's classic "Compared to What," made ultra-famous by Eddie Harris and Les McCann, and also covered by many others. Also included are interpretations of Hoagy Carmichael's "Georgia On My Mind," George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun," and a few standards, including Professor Longhair's "In The Wee Wee Hours," as well as Bobby Troup's "Route 66." This two-CD set has everything I hoped for from Leavell, plus a few surprises. Even though these well known covers are sprinkled throughout, they don't dominate the concert. The backing German Rock band manages to hold its own, but Leavell's vocals are tested on a couple of songs from time to time. The styles of music covered are honky-tonk, Rock 'n' Roll, Jazz, and southern Blues. As entertainment value goes you should get some great mileage out of this CD; just sit back and enjoy the delightful groove and vibe.
In addition to Leavell's solo projects (his previous Southscape featured Larry Carlton on several tracks) and working with the Stones, Leavell continues to be an in-demand session player and producer. More recent years finds him on recordings with top-notch Country artists like Lee Ann Womack, the Montgomery-Gentry Band, Miranda Lambert, as well as two Nashville artists, Lady Antebellum and David Nail. Of particular note, Leavell recently recorded with bassist Mike Gordon from the now defunct band Phish for a new CD scheduled to be released in 2008. Now this could be interesting. Stay tuned for more from Mr. Leavell.
Chuck recently made an appearance at the Captain Planet Foundation Annual Christmas Fund-Raiser in Atlanta, Georgia in December. Additional guests at the event included Ted Turner, Ludacris, Laura Turner Sydell (Ted Turner's eldest daughter and known environmentalist). The house band was called "Band X" and Chuck was a featured guest artist. Mother Nature Network was a major sponsor of the event.
Dear Friends,
I know we're all excited but at the same time curious and concerned about our country's future now that we have a new President in place. Many of us are particularly concerned about our direction in environmental affairs. At The Mother Nature Network, we will be tracking the issues and reporting on how things progress. We hope you'll visit us for updates from time to time...for now, please check out the url below which introduces the new players that will be leading the country's environmental policies...we want the public to know who these folks are, and some background on them so we can follow how they handle our challenges now that they are in office. So far it looks like a good start...but let's all keep a watchful eye and hope this team will lead us in the right direction in the right way!
Denver Post: Rolling Stones keyboardist gets honorary music degree
Rolling Stones keyboardist Chuck Leavell entertained Central Michigan University graduates and joked about rock musicians during an appearance at commencement ceremonies.
Leavell also was presented with an honorary Doctor of Music degree during Saturday's event.
He told the crowd he learned to play the piano by listening to his mother play. He said that she never had any formal training, but that he loved hearing her at the keys at their home in Alabama.
He also offered life lessons for graduating students, including the importance of integrity, desire and determination.
"The pursuit of excellence can take you to the Super Bowl or the Hollywood Bowl, if you're committed," Leavell said. "If you keep these principles in life, no matter what you've chosen to do, you will be successful." He also offered a groaner for the graduates.
Jambase.com - Mike Gordon set to release The Green Sparrow featuring Chuck Leavell & more!
Rounder Records is proud to announce the release of Mike Gordon's solo album, The Green Sparrow. Set for an August 5 release, The Green Sparrow finds the accomplished Phish bassist showcasing his wide range of influences in a confident ten-track album that reminds us that Gordon is one of the most imaginative and mold-breaking musicians in music today. Recorded at Gordon's home studio in Vermont and mixed at The Barn, his former band's studio and art space, The Green Sparrow features special guests Chuck Leavell, Phish's Trey Anastasio and Page McConnell, Bill Kreutzmann, Ivan Neville and horn players from Antibalas.
Since the break up of Phish in 2004, Gordon has participated in many projects, none of which have been purely solo. An artist known for his endless creativity and touring stamina, Gordon took 2007 off from touring and dedicated his time to writing this record. The end result is an eclectic album boasting Gordon's skillful assimilation of free-form rock & roll, calypso, pop and funk that showcases a unexpected side to Gordon's songwriting.
From the deeply rooted funk of "Radar Blip" to the rousing intricacies of "Andelman's Yard," from the spirited rock of "Traveled Too Far" to the punch of "Another Door," The Green Sparrow is a playful album from an artist who continually reveals new layers of far-reaching invention.
Glide Magazine - Chuck Leavell Releasing Double Live CD
Chuck Leavell, who has been tagged the "fifth Rolling Stone" and remains one of music's most respected & sought-after pianists of the past 30 years, will celebrate the release of a new double CD set Live In Germany: The Green Leaves and Blue Notes Tour on May 13, 2008 on Evergreen Arts, distributed by RED/Sony.
An inductee to both the Alabama and Georgia Music Halls of Fame, Leavell is perhaps best known for his work with The Rolling Stones - a long and prosperous association that began in 1982 and continues today. His piano and keyboard work has also been heard on recordings with the likes of Eric Clapton, The Black Crowes, George Harrison, The Allman Brothers Band, The Indigo Girls, Blues Traveler, Train, Montgomery-Gentry, Lee Ann Womack and many more.
Leavell's previous solo efforts have been highly acclaimed by the press, beginning with the celebrated 1999 Christmas album What's In That Bag? on Capricorn Records; 2001's Forever Blue: Solo Piano, a collection of seven original songs and three classics including "Georgia On My Mind," and 2005's Southscape, described as "Southern Jazz."
As the two-year long Rolling Stones' "A Bigger Bang" tour came to an end in late summer of 2007, Leavell remained in Europe for the "Green Leaves & Blue Notes Tour," where he recruited some of Germany's top musicians to accompany him. In a live performance recorded on September 14, 2007, for the German radio station HR1, Leavell and his international crew, which included drummer Paul Hochstadter, bassist Christian Diener, saxophonist Lutz Hafner, guitarist Frank Kuruc, recorded 19 songs in an hour and a half set. In addition to performing a handful of Leavell's original tunes, the group performed covers of such classic songs as The Allman Brothers' "Jessica" and "Statesboro Blues" (with a cameo appearance by Henning Eichler on harmonica); The Rolling Stones' "Honky Tonk Woman" and "Rip this Joint;" a rousing rendition of Les McCann and Eddie Harris' "Compared to What;" moving renditions of Ray Charles' "Georgia" and George Harrison's "Here Comes the Sun;" and a few standards including "In the Wee Wee Hours" and "Route 66."
