Spotlight on Leanne Regalla: Fun and Inspiration

Leanne Regalla is a performing songwriter with an unconventional approach to life and music. Her songs and stories are funny, inspiring, and thought-provoking all at the same time. Leanne’s surprising lyrics and memorable melodies will have you humming to yourself long after her show.

Her sound has been compared to Natalie Merchant and Jewel, with a snarkiness reminiscent of Sara Bareilles.

Music is Leanne’s second career, but her first love. She is a proud poster child for never allowing the “too late, too old” argument to keep her from pursuing her dreams. Leanne started out as a guitar teacher and later moved into songwriting and performing.

“If you enjoy my songs and laugh even a little, I’ve done my job. If you come away feeling inspired to pursue your own dreams, whatever they are and whatever your constraints – then I’ve definitely achieved my goal!” says Leanne.

Watch this video of Leanne playing her original tune, “Pointless Without You,” at Kulak’s Woodshed in West Hollywood, Feb 2012:

A ballad Leanne wrote (her personal story about a friend who inspired her to pursue songwriting and performing) has been inspiring to quite a few people. Many songwriters say they can relate to the fears and hesitations voiced in the lyrics. Not only that, but Leanne tells us a good friend was thinking of closing the dance studio she had owned with her mom for many years because her mom was no longer able to work. “My friend heard me play this song and decided to keep her business!”

This is that story song:

Leanne uses Tom Jackson’s teachings in every show, finding they give great results in many settings. When she’s performing solo gigs, she approaches each set almost as a self-contained show. “I keep things moving by creating different moments, using different instruments, and talking to the audience. I also allow myself a lot of space in the songs to get my message across,” comments Leanne. “People who don’t stay for the whole evening get a good flavor for who I am this way. But many people do stay.”

For band gigs, like festivals where many people are walking by, Leanne has learned that rearranging her songs for “live” really help grab their attention and often keep them lingering and listening.

“Other musicians really dig my arrangements,” says Leanne. In fact, her friends are even “covering” her songs! “One songwriter friend, whose song I took (with permission of course) and reworked with Tom, has been getting such good reaction that he wants to do it himself again, with my arrangement!”

Leanne released her first full-length original CD in November of last year. She is now spending 2012 expanding her reach, playing at different venues and festivals and having fun putting more band shows together and writing new songs.

If you’d like to catch Leanne live, check out her schedule here. There’s fun and inspiration in every show!

Tom Jackson

Tom is uniquely talented and skilled at transforming an artist's live show into a magical experience for the audience; helping artists at every level create a live show that is engaging and memorable, teaching them to exceed their audiences' expectations and to create fans for life. Tom has taught indie and major artists of every genre. He has worked with Taylor Swift, Le Crae, Home Free, The Tenors, Shawn Mendes, The Band Perry, Francesca Battistelli, Jars of Clay, & many more. Tom also teaches at colleges, conferences and events worldwide.

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