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.
Don't Go Away
Leeland Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Then comes obsession
Fire starts with a flicker
And it consumes me
Suddenly I feel I can follow You blindly
Because You've covered my eyes with love
You've given me more than enough
You've given me more than enough
[Chorus]
Hide away in Your arms of grace
Living life the way
That You want me to
Don't go away
Please be here to stay
Forever and always
It's just me and You
Me and You, my Lord
Mighty King, everlasting God
Never-ending flood, The Solid Rock
My love, my life, my all
Your heart becomes my heartbeat and
You've given me more than enough
You've given me more than enough
[Chorus]
You've given me more than enough
Answer to the questions in the world
You are more than enough
You're the answer
You're the answer
And You've given me more than enough
Hide away in Your arms of grace
Living life the way
That You want me to
And don't You go away
Please be here to stay
Forever and always
It's just me and You
Me and You, my Lord
The song "Don't Go Away" by Leeland is a powerful testimony of the singer's walk with God. The first verse talks about the progression of faith - first comes salvation, then obsession. The fire of faith starts small, like a flicker, but eventually, it grows and consumes the singer. The singer feels that they can follow God blindly because they trust Him and know that He loves them immensely. The singer acknowledges that God has given them more than enough, and they are grateful for that.
The chorus talks about the singer's desire to stay close to God. They want to hide away in His arms of grace and live their life the way that God wants them to. The singer pleads with God not to go away and to be there always, forever and ever. They acknowledge that it's just them and God, and they want to stay that way.
The second verse talks about God's attributes - He is a Mighty King, an everlasting God, and a never-ending flood. The singer declares that God is their love, their life, and their all. The singer's heart beats with God's, and they know that God has given them more than enough.
In summary, "Don't Go Away" is a plea to God to stay close and not to leave. It's a declaration of the singer's trust and dependence on God and a testimony of the love and grace that God has shown them.
Line by Line Meaning
First comes salvation
The beginning of this journey is salvation, and it is the starting point for everything that follows.
Then comes obsession
After experiencing salvation, there is an intense desire to pursue and live for the Lord.
Fire starts with a flicker
The spark that ignites the fire of faith is small but powerful and significant in its own right.
And it consumes me
The passion and intense focus on following the Lord has taken over, and all focus is centered on Him.
Suddenly I feel I can follow You blindly
The trust and faith in the Lord is so strong that there is no need to see the path, just the assurance that He is leading the way.
Because You've covered my eyes with love
The Lord's love is so overwhelming and encompassing that everything else fades away, leaving only His love to guide and direct one's steps.
You've given me more than enough
The Lord has blessed with an abundance of grace, love, mercy, and provision, more than enough to sustain and continue on this journey.
[Chorus] Hide away in Your arms of grace Living life the way That You want me to Don't go away Please be here to stay Forever and always It's just me and You Me and You, my Lord
The desire to rest and find safety and comfort in the Lord's love and grace, and to live in a way that pleases Him. The earnest plea to the Lord to stay and guide forever, as they walk this path together.
Mighty King, everlasting God
The Lord is powerful, majestic, and eternal, reigning forever and ever.
Never-ending flood, The Solid Rock
The Lord is a constant presence and source of life, a foundation that is unshakeable and unwavering.
My love, my life, my all
The Lord is everything, the sole focus and reason for existence, the foundation of every aspect of life.
Your heart becomes my heartbeat and
The Lord's heart for love, compassion, and mercy becomes the guiding force for one's own heart and life.
Answer to the questions in the world You are more than enough You're the answer You're the answer
The Lord is the answer to all the questions and struggles of this world, and He is more than enough to meet all needs.
And You've given me more than enough
A reiteration of the Lord's abundance of blessings and provision in one's life.
Hide away in Your arms of grace Living life the way That You want me to And don't You go away Please be here to stay Forever and always It's just me and You Me and You, my Lord
A repetition of the chorus, emphasizing the desire for safety, guidance, and companionship with the Lord forevermore.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: ROY SMITH
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind