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AND NOW, THE TRUE STORY:

Leigh MacCallum, a grizzled reprobate who hails from so many parts that his origins might at first seem obscure, was actually born in our nation's capitol, where he lived out the first nine months of what was to become an extraordinary life. The son of an Air Force officer, he and his family wound up living in Guam, Ohio, Wisconsin, Japan, New York, and Wisconsin again, all before Leigh was eleven years old. Once on his own, Leigh managed to live in or visit every state except Alaska, as well as doing military tours of Viet Nam and Germany, from which latter location he was able to vacation in Spain, England and Scotland, as well as the Scandinavian lands of Denmark and Norway.

Finally returning to Wisconsin, Leigh (who had majored in music at the University of Wisconsin) began a successful career as a traveling minstrel, playing in every sort of establishment from bars to university campuses. His songs at that time were, for the most part, covers of works written by others.

Then, in 1977, Leigh got a teaching position in Tucson, Arizona. It was there that he wrote what was to become one of his trademark songs. The song was entitled, simply enough, "Life," and was written as an inspirational tune for the teens he was teaching. And, as fate would have it, it would turn out to be a watershed experience. Grant monies for his school failed to be refunded, and he was laid off at the end of the year, whereupon he decided to return to Wisconsin and his singing career.

After several more successful years of traveling (always accompanied by his dog, White Fang) and singing, that career was put on a protracted hold as he settled down to marriage and child-rearing. The marriage ended in 2005, and Leigh is now returning to the music industry with renewed enthusiasm. And enhanced songwriting capabilities.

The simple refrains of songs such as "Life" will still be sung, but the new material shows a maturity garnered in the years that have passed. There is a depth to his words that reflects the complex soul that has lain beneath the surface for so long. For example, a couple of verses from "Late for the Dance":

We’re approached on occasion by those we don’t know
They come whispering softly and shuffling slow
And we can’t truly tell if they’re friend or they’re foe
So we hope that they stay but we wish that they’d go

And we find love a battlefield covered in red
So we spend all our time sifting wounded from dead
And thus wearing our shiniest armor to bed
We continue our talking while nothing is said

But there is also a wry humor to be found in some of the new work as well. His "Hair of the Dog" includes the lyrics:

I woke up the next mornin’ to a pain in my head
An’ I knew that I needed that drink bloody red
By the time that I mixed it I wished I was dead
It was all full of hair from that dog I named Fred

So there’s hair from my dog in the hair of the dog that bit me
Don’t know what you think but you know furry drinks just don’t fit me
When I needed that Mary all bloody and red
What I got was a mouthful of dog hair instead
‘Cause there’s hair from my dog in the hair of the dog that bit me !

As soon as suitable recordings of these new songs (along with updated versions of some of the old ones) can be made--anyone willing to put up some free studio time?--they will be posted here, and a new CD will be produced.

In the meantime, Leigh wishes to thank all those who have come to this site and listened, especially those who have left the kind comments. It's great to be appreciated once again!

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I Am A Cedar Tree

I am elegant yet unpretentious, modest yet vivacious. Attractive and friendly, I am full of imagination but might lack passion. I abhor vulgar people, and I don't like anything in excess. I have little more ambition than to live a calm life and enjoy nature. I create a content, peaceful atmosphere for others.