Jesusfreakhideout.com Music News, September 2011: LEELAND RELEASES THE GREAT AWAKENING AMID A FLURRY OF ACCLAIM AND THE LAUNCH OF THE “SOUNDS OF HOPE” TOUR

LEELAND RELEASES THE GREAT AWAKENING AMID A FLURRY OF ACCLAIM AND THE LAUNCH OF THE “SOUNDS OF HOPE” TOUR

Early Reviews Call Leeland’s Fourth Project: "Captivating," "Flawless,"
"The Worship Album Of The Year" and "A Worship Revival Experience"

NEWS SOURCE: Provident Music Group
September 21, 2011

(Nashville, Tenn.) September 21, 2011- Three-time GRAMMY and eight-time GMA Dove Award nominated band Leeland drops its fourth national release The Great Awakening this week on Essential Records. Since Leeland debuted its acclaimed Sound of Melodies in 2006, this progressive worship band has become one of the most respected and influential voices in worship music. The 11-track “worship revival experience” was produced by Paul Moak (Third Day, Matt Maher). Leeland is lead singer Leeland Mooring; brother, Jack Mooring on keys and drummer Mike Smith – along with new member (and the Moorings’ younger sister and bassist) Shelly Mooring.

The acclaimed release has garnered stellar reviews and features running in outlets including Worship Leader, gmc, JesusFreakHideout.com, New Release Tuesday, CCM Magazine, YouthWalk, Crosswalk.com, Beliefnet.com, and Alphaomeganews.org, with numerous additional placements confirmed for upcoming issues.

Below are a few highlights reflecting Leeland and The Great Awakening:

"Leeland indeed seem in step with their art. They are revitalized and refreshed and have taken a giant creative leap forward." - Worship Leader Magazine

“…The Great Awakening is the best kind of en-mass singalong, full of energy and excitement… Leeland consistently aims high and delivers on the songwriting front. Bottom line: If you’re in serious need of a little unrestrained ‘church,’ a mini-shot of revival to get you pointed in the right direction, Leeland’s The Great Awakening is just the project to take you there.” – gmc

"This is the most spine-tingling worship project I've ever experienced and these eleven songs are all completely anointed, Spirit-led and emotionally captivating. The Great Awakening is flawless and overflows with worship-driven emotional responses to our Lord and Savior. This is the top worship album of the year!" - NewReleaseTuesday.com

"With...The Great Awakening, they are making some very different leaps in an onward and upward fashion....Frontman Leeland Mooring's vocals are at the top of his game and, at points in the album, it feels like he didn't write any of the words he sings but just recorded himself praying to a melody. The purpose of the album is obviously to spark a spiritual awakening in the Church and they do not miss the mark in portraying it. There is definitely no mistaking that it's Leeland, but this time there seems to be a deep sense of divine inspiration. Expect good things with The Great Awakening..." - JesusFreakHideout.com

The band also recently filmed an in-studio series called “The Live Sessions.” For a look at its first installment, which features the title track "The Great Awakening," please visit, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Mj8I1chdB0. The “Sessions” can also be found on Leeland’s homepage www.leelandonline.com under the “featured media” tab.

The band’s recent visits and concerts around the world (ranging from Peru to Japan for its support of Food For The Hungry) also inspired and helped shape The Great Awakening. Leeland is ready to share these new songs with audiences everywhere and are especially eager to share them starting this weekend as they hit the road with Building 429 and Royal Tailor on the “Sounds Of Hope” Tour, sponsored by Food For The Hungry.

The “Sounds Of Hope” Tour*
9/23 - Friendswood, TX
9/24 - Victoria, TX
9/25 - Kilgore, TX
9/29 - Nashville, TN
9/30 - Lynchburg, VA
10/1 - Fayetteville, NC
10/2 - Martinsburg, WV
10/7 - Shakopee, MN
10/8 - Chicago, IL
10/9 - Sioux City, IA
10/10 - Kearney, NE
10/12 - Princeton, WV
10/13 - New Wilmington, PA
10/14 - Woodstock, VA
10/15 - Ft. Wayne, IN
10/20 - Shreveport, LA
10/21 Moultrie, GA
10/22 - Lucedale, MS
10/23 - Thomasville, AL
10/27 - N. Massapequa, NY
10/28 - Seekonk, MA
10/29 - E. Longmeadow, MA
10/30 - Houghton, NY
11/4 - Vero Beach, FL
11/5 - Fitzgerald, GA
11/6 - Dothan, AL
11/7 - Brunswick, GA
11/11 - Mt. Vernon, OH
11/12 - Elmhurst, IL
11/13 - Mequon, WI

*Tour dates subject to change. Please visit www.leelandonline.com and follow the band on twitter @leelandofficial

About Leeland:
Hailing from Houston, Texas, GRAMMY-nominated progressive worship rock act Leeland has been known to deliver songwriting beyond its years and worshipful rock so genuine it disarms the honest cynic. Since its debut of the acclaimed Sound of Melodies (2006), the Multiple GRAMMY and GMA Dove Award nominated progressive worship band has become one of the most respected and influential voices in worship music. With its fourth release, The Great Awakening (9/20/2011), Leeland recaptures the essence of its debut albumSound of Melodies (2006) while delving deeper into its spiritual roots and stirring both personal and global revival.

Often quoted as one of Christian music’s most gripping live bands, Sound of Melodies, Opposite Way (2008) and Love Is On The Move (2010) established Leeland as a leader in the worship community and beyond. All three of its previousalbums were GRAMMY-nominated and drew a combined eight Dove nominations.

Along with performing at concerts and festivals across the world throughout the year, Leeland will be part of this fall’s “Sounds of Hope”Tour with Building 429 and Royal Tailor, which is sponsored by Food For the Hungry. For the most updated tour dates, visit www.leelandonline.com.

In February, Leeland and Jack Mooring were selected by the White House to participate in the Compassion in Action Roundtable spotlighting the innovative leadership of an emerging generation of social entrepreneurs in America. On top of non-stop touring across the U.S. and Japan, the band also partners with Christian relief organization Food for the Hungry. Leeland has recently taken outreach trips to Africa, Asia, and attended Hillsong Church’s 2008 Conference in Australia.

For more information on Leeland and The Great Awakening, please visit: www.leelandonline.com, www.facebook.com/leeland or www.providentpress.com.

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For more info on Leeland, visit the JFH Artists Database.