CMT Blog: Brennen Leigh

Momma always told me that if you have a handful of really good friends by the time you’re my age, then you’re doing pretty dang good. Well, I don’t know about a full-on handful, but I’ve got one real good one! She is my saving grace in this business and she is the most talented person I know. We stumbled upon meeting each other one night over three years ago. Her boyfriend was playing on the same bill as us, and while she was there to watch, she ordered a pizza in the bar. (I knew I liked her from the beginning.) I was starving so I went up to this stranger I didn’t know and asked if I could have a piece. The rest, as they say, is history.

This is Brennen Leigh I’m talking about. She’s just that friend in my life that will forever be there. We write songs together, we play shows together, we go see shows together. She’s just my partner in crime when it comes to loving country music.

So, this is funny, and a PERFECT example of what I am talking about. I was poking around on MySpace (what else is there to do when I’ve had the flu for four days) and read her blogs. I knew she was funny, but I was cracking up. She has one blog entry titled “South Austin Herald,” in which she is an interviewer for a fake magazine interviewing herself. Another one, “Thoughts on Hank Locklin,” made me realize that this girl is my rock when it comes to country music. Even the fact that she’s 24 and knows who Hank Locklin is makes me happy. She and her brother, Seth, are well-versed in country music trivia, and hey old guys, she can probably whoop ya on the mandolin, too.

A couple months ago, I get this phone call with a blood-curdling scream on the other end. I’m trying to figure out what’s wrong with her, and then when she stops long enough to get in a word, she goes, “You’re not gonna believe this, but I met Charlie Louvin, and that’s not the best part! He asked me to play mandolin with his band tonight!” Then the blood-curdling scream was happening on both ends. Turns out, she did such a great job playing with them in Austin, he asked her to join him in Houston the next night. She even shocked Mr. Louvin by knowing some of the more obscure Louvin Brothers songs. Duh, she’s their biggest fan.

She has some really good CDs out: Lonesome, Wild, and Blue; Too Thin to Plow; Devil’s on My Trail; and a new duets record with Jesse Dayton, Holdin’ Our Own. She outshines on the whole record. Her voice takes you back, waaaaay back, to the days of Tammy Wynette. She is unapologetic, too, of her old-school voice. That’s what makes her different, you see…. and different is a good thing.

I was thinking about my grandpa this morning. He was my most favorite man in the whole world and passed away on May 12. He was a musician, too, and since I started in this business, he always had advice for me. On May 4, he told me, “Sunny, just whatever you do, be happy. If you start getting unhappy in this business or get complacent with this, it’s time to change jobs. This is the hardest job you will ever have in your life, and it’s the most work you will ever do, but stick it out, because the rewards will come.”

Now, most times I would agree with everything he said, but one thing he also said was that I wouldn’t probably have that many “real” friends in this business. This one time, however, I’m gonna have to disagree, sweet Poppy.

Not only am I gonna have to disagree, but I’m gonna have to royally and majorly disagree. I have made some really good friends in the three short years I have been doing this. These friendships either started because we are fans of each others’ music or because I’m a huge fan of their music and stalk them until they agree to be my friend - hehehe!! These people are so talented, though, and I am blessed to have these people in my life. My band is no exception. I am so happy I have found all these guys. I love my boys. They are all in my top friends on my MySpace page, so stop by their pages and say hi to them…. and make sure you tell them that I’m talking about them… ha!

Some of the other musicians that I am thankful to be able to call friends are the following. Check them out and let me know what you think:

Brennen Leigh – This is my best friend in the world and I would not be sane without her. She sings so country music that she makes me sound like a rock singer.

Adam Hood  — This band (Adam, Justin, and Patrick) is too much fun! They ended up staying at our house the other night when they were in Austin and we stayed up till 6 a.m. drinking. Yes, the next day was hard, but it was worth it. Check these boys out live. You will not be disappointed.

Jason Boland –  Just do it. Go to the Web site and find a show near you, and just go.

Jim Lauderdale — One of the most talented musicians and songwriters I know.

Dallas Wayne — He is so great, and took me under his wing from the git-go, and helped me out so much. I love you, DW.

Anyway, I just thought I would say all that. I love these people and I want everyone I know to know them, too. So, I hope y’all check these folks out and let me know your thoughts! Until next time….Sunny