Korby Lenker and friends, making of "You've Got a Friend"
The Budweiser Band
Some bands, friends and other artists worked with include: Ash Bowers, Joe Savage, Little Richard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Kink Ador, The North Mississippi Allstars, Hill Country Revue, Josh Kelley, Chad Brunet, Korby Lenker, Maureen Murphy, Dianna Leigh Allen, Crystalee, Buffalo Rome, Stephen Belin and The Minor Keys, The Ward, The Jack Straw Band, Cowboy Mouth, John Zambricki, Rob Cureton, Stephen Dale, John Sharpe, Will Tyler, Brian Kurtzer, Maggie Louie, John Phillips, Tom Queja, Maria y El Sol, Alex Conerly, Ricky Burkhead, Bill Haley's Comets, Bobby Cutshaw, Dani Carroll, Fact and Fiction, and many others over the years.
Influences
Page McConnell, Ben Folds, Mose Allison, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles, Paul Simon, Dave Matthews, Thelonius Monk, Alex Conerly, Jesse Cole, Paul McCartney, Dave Bruebeck, Vince Guaraldi, Country music, Bluegrass, Chad Brunet.
Lucas' career as a piano player and songwriter has been driven by dreaming, planning and faith; fueled by support from friends, family, fans, and God, he has accomplished much already if not more than anything he could have dreamed.
"My mother has a picture of me standing on the piano bench, pounding the keys. I was around a year old--I've always taken interest in music, especially piano."
Lucas' hometown of Hernando, Mississippi, is also known for artists and musicians including Garrison Starr, Luther Dickinson (The Black Crowes, North Mississippi Allstars) KC Johns, Jerry Lee Lewis and writer John Grisham who lived in and wrote several novels based on Hernando. Memphis being only 15 minutes up the road, Lucas took to music and the sounds of the town through church, school, and piano lessons beginning at the age of six.
"Most parents make their kids take piano lessons, I begged mine for them," Lucas told reporter Michael Donahue in 2008. After a few months of piano lessons, and having learned some helpful theory, he took to practicing the songs he wanted to play: Great Balls of Fire, Tutti Frutti, Whole Lotta Shakin Goin On, and Old Time Rock and Roll to give a sample of his taste at that age. After a few years of piano, by the age of 9, he had developed rhythm by playing drums and discovered his melodic and solo, two-handed abilities on piano.
At age 10 from the Memphis Commercial Appeal: "Asked by a reporter to play whatever he wants, he whips his fingers across the keys and starts pounding chords like a jack hammer while playing Great Balls of Fire, with a bust of Beethoven on a piano staring at him. To test his playback skills, the reporter plays on a tape recorder a song Lucas has never heard before - a live version of a Prince song, Strange Relationship. Lucas listens to it a couple of times and in between snacking on peanuts, plays the song back almost the way he heard it."
At age 11 Lucas ended up onstage at a Little Richard concert in Memphis playing to thousands of people with a befuddled Little Richard Penniman beside him on the piano bench.
"I was in the Youth Talent Contest over at the fair. He called all the kids up on stage to dance to 'Itsy Bitsy Spider.' I'm standing there and this white baby grand's right next to me. I was like, 'Man, I really want to play that piano.' My sister and dad were in the audience and I could see them out there in the sea of people, motioning me towards the piano the whole time. With a huge smile on my face, I asked Little Richard if I could play something. He famously said 'Shut Up' and the audience laughed...next thing I know the whole band is following along with me to 'Great Balls of Fire.' and ripping it up!"
Just a few months later, he was asked to appear with the Killer himself. When Jerry Lee Lewis heard he played one of his songs with Little Richard, Little Lucas was invited to perform with Lewis at a rock and roll gala at The Peabody celebrating the entertainer's 40 years in show business. Such featured guests as Kris Kristofferson, Jack Hammer, George Klein, James Burton, and Kenny Lovelace appeared with Lucas and the Killer that evening.
In his teens and early college years, Lucas released four solo albums including "Piano Tribute to the Beatles" in 2004 as well as playing with his bands, The Jack Straw Band, The Ward and The Lucas Leigh Trio. After graduating from college in 2005, he found more time and energy enabling him to focus on music.
His career eventually brought him to Nashville in July of 2007 where he's involved in several projects playing keyboards and even a little bass guitar. "Almost all people in Nashville seem to have a knack or a gift of some kind. It's really amazing, and the connections are endless. You meet one person and make a good impression, and you've essentially made 10 new friends because people in Nashville work together."
Lucas plays with Stoney Creek Records artist Ash Bowers whose first single "STUCK" is currently in week 5 (Sept. 27) and at 50 on the Billboard Country Chart. Watch the Music Video Here
He also plays keys with singer/songwriter/creative genius Korby Lenker; Ben Cameron and The Bluff; and in Nashville he appears with the following artists on a consistent basis: KC Johns (country, 19-year old phenom), The Two Timers (Can You Duet Stars), The Dudes Terrific (organ/rock), Texan Luke Olsen, Canada's Blake Havard, Australia's Connie Kis Anderson, Stephen Dale, Canada's Bobby Cameron, and also solo on piano at various parties and events around Nashville and the US.
He can also be seen in the UK as the pianist in the 'Budweiser: True Dedication' campaigns across the regions of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales, including television, magazine, billboard, internet and theater ad campaigns.
Thanks for letting me know what that song was. However, I so quickly accepted your request I didn't really look at what song it was and forgot. So if you could just tell me one more time that would be great!!! Hope Chico was fun for you guys!!!
Hey man good catchin up with ya today... keep me updated as you tally off all these venues you're gonna rock on the road. I'm sure you're blowin some minds along the way catch up with you soon
I'm doing better man, still trying to get things rollin, but I'm selling Cd's and it feels awesome. Glad to see you making things happen as well, peace brother. John
Heyyy...Its Josey here Thanks to you I got to open for Little Big Town on their tour...now Im in another contest again! ha! if you have a second could you go to this link and click on my name to vote for my video "Red Lights" in CMTS MUSIC CITY MADNESS? Make sure you submit your vote after my name turns blue :)
Thanks for the add Lucas Leigh, I love your music btw!
If you get a chance, please take a listen to our first New Age release "Instrumental Piano Music" by Solo Piano Relaxing Music. We'd love to know what you think of it! WE have free downloads at our labels site for you to download.
Hey, man!! Glad to see all the gigs coming in!! Ryman...wow..jealous. That's awesome! I'm excited for you!! Please keep in touch...let me know how everything's going!
Stopping by to show some love! So I will be doing fittings this week in Nashville!! Hit me up today if you are interested in talking biz on in-ears, custom plugs, etc.