Melodic Baytown, Texas alternative CCM ensemble Leeland formed in 2005 around their talented lead singer, guitarist, and frontman, Leeland Mooring. The group, which also includes keyboard player/vocalist Jack Mooring, guitarist Austin Tirado, bass player Jake Holtz, and drummer Mike Smith, released its debut, Sound of Melodies, on Essential Records in 2006. The album would go on to earn the band its first of many Dove and Grammy Award nominations. Released in 2008, Opposite Way saw Leeland sail to the top of the digital Christian album charts on the strength of the wistful title track and the driving "Count Me In," and 2009's Love Is on the Move would debut at number five on the Billboard Christian albums chart. The band's Grammy-nominated fourth studio long-player, The Great Awakening, arrived in 2011, and 2016's Invisible marked the band's first outing for Bethel Music/Sony. ~ James Christopher Monger
