Leeland is a Christian pop and rock band hailing from Baytown, TX. The lead… Read Full Bio ↴Leeland is a Christian pop and rock band hailing from Baytown, TX. The lead singer, Leeland Mooring, was only 17 during the recording of their debut album. Even though their songs have strong Christian lyrics, their melodically-driven sound also holds appeal for those who don't share their faith.

Band members

* Leeland Mooring - Lead vocal, Guitars
* Casey Moore - lead guitar, background vocals

Touring musicians

Josias Badillo - bass guitar
Payden Hilliard - drums
David Ramirez - keys

Former Band members
* Jack Mooring - Backing vocal, Keyboard (2004-2015)
* Mike Smith - Drums (2004-2015)
* Shelly Mooring - Backing vocal, Bass (2011-2015)
* Jeremiah Wood (2002-2006)
* Austin Tirado (2006-2007)
* Matt Campbell (2007-2009)
* Jake Holtz (2002-2011)

Beginnings

At the age of 11, Leeland Mooring wrote his first song, "Shine". After having a successful performance of it at a church in Illinois while the Moorings were touring the United States as evangelists, he felt a spiritual calling towards music. His mother, Cyndy Mooring, entered him in a contest in Nashville, Tennessee at the age of 14, and was a finalist in the songwriting and artist divisions. Although he did not win, one of the contest judges, Kent Coley, took interest in the young teen. He is now their manager. Later at the age of 15 he attracted the attention of Eddie DeGarmo, President of EMI CMG Publishing, and signed a songwriting contract with EMI CMG Publishing. While practicing after youth group, Leeland, his older brother Jack, their cousin Jake Holtz, and two close friends from church, Mike Smith and Jeremiah Wood, realized they had become a band. They decided to use Leeland's name for the band because they liked the way it sounded. They later started practicing in the night at a funeral home.

The band has worked closely with Christian music legend Michael W. Smith. Leeland Mooring co-wrote seven songs on Smith's new album, Stand, while Jack Mooring married Smith's daughter Whitney Smith-Mooring on June 1, 2007.

Discography

* Sound of Melodies (2006)
* Opposite Way (2008)
* Love Is on the Move (2009)
* The Great Awakening (2011)
* Invisible (2016)

Sound of Melodies (2005-2007)

The band's debut album, Sound of Melodies, was released in the USA on August 15, 2006. At the 49th Grammy Awards on December 7, 2006, the album was nominated for "Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album". Sound of Melodies was also released in Japan on March 21, 2007, with the title song "Sound of Melodies" peaking at #6 on the general Japan radio chart.

Opposite Way (2008-2009)

Their second album Opposite Way, released on February 26, 2008, received success in its first few weeks of release. In its debut week, Opposite Way reached #1 on the iTunes Christian Albums chart. By March 15, 2008, it had reached a peak position of #72 on the Billboard Top 200 albums. Since September 2007, Leeland has been on "The Altar and the Door Tour" with Grammy Award-winning band Casting Crowns, which will continue until May 1, 2008.

Love Is on the Move (2009-present)

Leeland's third studio album, titled Love Is on the Move, is scheduled for release on August 25, 2009 in the United States.

Changes in membership and label

In early 2011, only a few months before the release of their fourth studio album, bassist Jake Holtz left the band to pursue a career with the US Army.Leeland's fourth studio album, The Great Awakening, was released on September 20, 2011.

In September 2015, Leeland announced via YouTube that they would be joining Bethel Music as part of the Bethel Music Collective,after Leeland Mooring and Casey Moore established an organic friendship with Bethel's founding member, Brian Johnson.Leeland's fifth full-length studio album, Invisible, was released on July 22, 2016. It is the first album the band has released under the Bethel label, with Brian Johnson featuring on the song "Son Was Lifted Up".

Touring

Leeland performed at all the Student Life "Clarity" conferences in 2007. In late 2007, they were on The Altar and the Door tour with Casting Crowns and John Waller, which started September 27, 2007 and ended December 2, 2007. They are currently on the spring leg of the tour, which began on January 31, 2008 and will end May 1.Leeland made their Canadian debut in Ottawa, Ontario at the Life Centre during the annual Shift Conference on March 10-11, 2007.
In September 23, 2009, the band will launch their "Follow You Tour", co-headlining with Brandon Heath and featuring Francesca Battistelli as an opening act.

Grammy Award nominations

2007: Best Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album - Sound of Melodies GMA Dove Award nominations

In 2007 they were nominated for five GMA Dove Awards in the categories New Artist of the Year, Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year (for the song "Sound of Melodies"), Worship Song of the Year (for "Yes You Have"), Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year and Praise & Worship Album of the Year.

In 2008, their song "Tears of the Saints" was nominated for two Dove Awards: "Song of the Year" and "Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year". Leeland Mooring was nominated for "Songwriter of the Year", and co-writer with Michael W. Smith for "Be Lifted High" in the "Inspirational Recorded Song of the Year" category.

Can't Stop
Leeland Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

I can't believe You're here close to me
It's getting hard to stand
But I don't want to leave
Your beauty stands out
Like a bright light shining through the clouds
It's overwhelming just to be with You now

I can't stop, I can't stop falling in love with You

I can't stop, I can't stop falling in love with You
Your love is in my heart tonight (yes, I know)
I can't stop, I can't stop falling in love with You
I'm in love with You

In this space and time
You touch my soul
I can't escape Your love for me
So You take control
Your spirit surrounds me
Close enough to catch me when I fall
I can't escape Your love for me
I surrender all

You've risen like the sun
Darkness fades with the dawn
You are the radiant one
And You give me light

Your love is in my heart tonight
Your love is in my heart tonight

I can't stop, I can't stop falling in love with You
I can't stop, I can't stop falling in love with You

Overall Meaning

Leeland's song "Can't Stop" is a devout expression of love and devotion to God. The lyrics communicate the emotions and sensations that the songwriter feels in the presence of God. The opening lines, "I can't believe You're here close to me, It's getting hard to stand, but I don't want to leave", expresses the sense of awe and wonder that the songwriter feels in the presence of God. The beauty of God's presence is evident and overwhelming, as they sing in admiration, "Your beauty stands out like a bright light shining through the clouds, It's overwhelming just to be with You now".

The chorus of the song repeatedly confesses the songwriter's inability to stop falling in love with God, expressing complete surrender to this overwhelming love. The lines, "I can't stop falling in love with You, Your love is in my heart tonight" are a reflection of the songwriter's deep conviction of the love that God has for them in their heart. The second verse, "In this space and time, You touch my soul, I can't escape Your love for me, So You take control", is a beautiful acknowledgement of God's Spirit which surrounds them and is always close enough to catch them when they fall. This is a testimony that in the midst of life's ups and downs, God's love is a constant presence that gives them assurance and security.

Overall, "Can't Stop" is an evocative and emotional expression of love, faith and devotion. The lyrics are poetic and heartfelt, conveying a sense of longing, awe, and surrender in the face of the divine. The song mirrors the deeply personal and emotional experience that many people have when they encounter the presence and love of God in their lives.

Line by Line Meaning

I can't believe You're here close to me
Being near You feels surreal and difficult to believe

It's getting hard to stand
Your overwhelming presence is making it difficult to physically stand

But I don't want to leave
Despite the challenge, I don't want to distance myself

Your beauty stands out
You are incredibly captivating and attractive

Like a bright light shining through the clouds
You shine through the challenges and darkness of life

It's overwhelming just to be with You now
Just being in Your presence is overpowering with emotion

I can't stop, I can't stop falling in love with You
I am completely and uncontrollably falling in love with You

Your love is in my heart tonight (yes, I know)
I feel Your love so deeply within me right now

I'm in love with You
I wholeheartedly love You

In this space and time
In this present moment

You touch my soul
You deeply affect the innermost part of me