There's so much to say, where do I start? Really, I'm a lucky guy. I've had the opportunity to make my living doing what I would do for free. I write songs. I sing songs. I try to get other people to sing my songs. And while I'm doing all of that, I make time to pass on the things I've learned. I teach. That's me in a nutshell.
Steve received his bachelors degree in guitar/jazz studies from Morehead State University in Morehead Ky. After teaching privately in Tallahassee, Fl. for eight years, Steve moved to Nashville in 1992. He was signed to a staff songwriting position at EMI Music Publishing shortly thereafter, where he had songs recorded by Kenny Rogers, Mark Chesnutt, George Strait, Darryl Worley, Rhonda Vincent, and Neal McCoy, to name a few.
Steve earned a Grammy Certificate for the title cut to Ricky Skaggs' 2004 "Brand New Strings" which won a Grammy Award for Best Bluegrass Album of the Year.
Steve left EMI after nine years to open his own publishing company, Chord Boy Songs. He signed to Stage Three Music Publishing in 2005. Since 2007 he has maintained a career as an independent songwriter and music publisher. His new company, New Modern Songs, has published works by Darryl Worley and Darius Rucker, all written by Steve.
As an educator Steve was adjunct professor of Jazz History at Tallahassee Community College in Tallahassee, FL. from 1991-1992. He is a popular songwriting clinician, and has held workshops all over the country and in Canada, at places like Morehead State University, Morehead, KY., Middle Tennessee State University, Murfreesboro, TN., Belmont University, Nashville, TN., Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA., Nashville Songwriters Association International, and NSAI Chapters in Toronto Canada, He currently teaches songwriting courses online via Skype, and mentors students privately in his home. He has reviewed book proposals for Oxford University Press, and was hired Adjunct Professor of Songwriting at Belmont University, in Nashville, TN. September 2011.
As a recording artist, Steve has two albums available; "In The Middle", and "Greater Gravity". He has also written and produced a CD, with DVD, "Beautiful Love", introducing young adult-contemporary artist Britt Lane.
He lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife Amy, a fifth-grade public school educator, and 2009 Teacher of the Year! He has two sons, Steven and Jacob.
Steve is currently in the rehearsal stages of a newly written musical, "Umbrella", a romantic comedy featuring eleven original songs.
With my hand to the plow, and the sun at my Shoulder, I make the initial cut,
I mark certain this line I furrow, and disregard
The dusty prints behind; I step with the lightness of The morning; I absorb every ray, I expand, I exceed This mortal frame.
My love may call from the open window,
(I hear the shutters clap, I see her bosom heaving),
But I will not turn, for there is a greater gravity here,
And one that disdains such loyalties.
In a compassed line the woods lay dark before me,
I penetrate the blue interior, and have become one Sense.
-Steve Leslie "Greater Gravity"
"Only those who take leisurely what the people of the world are busy about, can be busy about what the people of the world take leisurely."
-Chang Ch'ao
It was a matter of course in ancient China that a talented poet should go with a beautiful woman.
"It's hard when ya got two gone tooth, and two loose ones!"
-my son, Steven, then six-years old, in response to the question; "Why didn't you eat your apple in your lunch today?"
"So, what would you like to be when you grow up?" "A poet." "No, seriously." "A poet". "No, no, I mean like a fireman, doctor, policeman, that sort of thing." "A poet". "Ma'am, would you please instruct your son, that I am not kidding here!"
He sang for himself, but everyone had to listen.
WEN: "Grains of pebbles, or ripples of water; natural lines of movement, the beauty of lines and forms."
SABI: "Rustic unpretentiousness, imperfection, simplicity or effortlessness in execution, and richness in historical associations."
YUGEN: "A cloudy impenetrability, mysterious, obscure, whereby we attain a glimpse of things eternal in the world of constant change."
YI: "A romantic, leisurely detachment from life. The quality of someone who has 'seen through life', and begins to 'take it easy', enabling one to be less ambitious, and put up with temporary disadvantages or obscurity."
-Lin Yutang "A Chinese Critical Vocabulary"
"Sheng Ren" (Man of Calling): The ideal man lets life express itself through him. In this position he is, in a sense, a cosmic power. He puts away his individual inclinations and wishes, completely corresponding to the principles of life.
Be not seem.
True wisdom conceals wisdom, true art conceals art, good writing leaves something unsaid.
This time of year makes me recall,
A dark and rainy day.
With angry words I stood in the hall,
And watched you walk away.
Now every time October ends,
And a cold breeze starts to blow,
Like scattered leaves tossed by the wind,
There You Go Again.
-Steve Leslie from "There You Go Again"
I leave for Nashville the 5th. of April, God willing. I'm convinced it's the right thing to do. There are many here who would prefer I failed, thus proving their conviction that to step out on faith is heresy indeed. It's a limited vision most have. I try to forgive and go on. I pray that I find, in the uncertainties sure to follow, a moment or two that I may pause to listen. It is the only compass I trust. May He then direct my steps.
-Journal entry 4/5/92
This town has what every other town has- lonely restaurants.
-Journal entry 4/14/92 |
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