Newby's Memphis : Calendar : Sonia Leigh And Levi Lowrey - Breaking Southern Ground Tour

Theater side; 18 and up show, $10 at the door, day of show, doors @ 8:30pm

Levi Lowery, has been supported by a family of musicians, most notably his great-great-grandfather, who was an influential in the development of the bluegrass movement. Levi’s musical abilities progress through his schooling. He picked the violin on 6th grade, he began playing bluegrass in the 7th grade, began singing in high school, and began writing and playing guitar shortly after. However, it was not until Levi wrote his first song that he realized music is what he wanted to pursue. This was further validated when he saw an early Butch Walker performance and wanted to connect to an audience like Butch did. Levi is confident he’s on the correct path, which he confirmed after a recent NYC performance, where an Atlantic Records exec said to Levi, I had to meet you. You silenced a NYC crowd.

Levi aims to make his mark by delivering honest and direct songwriting to audiences willing to connect with the message.

While performing, Levi prefers more intimate venues but relishes opportunities to captivate larger audiences with his candid storytelling. The moments and messages in Levi’s songwriting are specific. They target individuals through empathy or shared experience. Levi’s communication goal is simple if I can make people feel what I’ve felt, then I’ve done my job.

Sonia Leigh is a singer/songwriter hailing from Atlanta, Georgia. With gritty vocals and poetically compelling lyrics, Sonia grabs her listeners with her raw honesty and primal emotion, all while wearing her heart on her guitar strap. Sonia Leigh brings an electrifying excitement to the stage with her unbridled passion and rebellious charm. She easily and immediately establishes a bond with her audience through the sincerity of her haunting voice, soulful lyrics, excellent musicianship and sultry appearance. Although Sonia stands only 5 – 4, her powerful stage presence belies her petite stature. Sonia Leigh’s bloodlines run deep in country music (her grandfather was a musician and songwriter) but she soon discovered Blues and Rock and Roll. As a toddler, Sonia banged away on her fathers guitar and by the age of 10, he had taught her chords and strumming techniques. Sonia was drawn to artists from various musical backgrounds, including Bob Dylan, Jackson Browne, Lightning Hopkins, Brownie McGhee, Bruce Springsteen to Melissa Etheridge, The Cure, Everclear, and even Tupac. This musical upbringing serves as the foundation for what has become the unique sound of Sonia Leigh. Sonia Leigh has written a diverse selection of music over the years. Her first song was recorded at the age of 14 when asked by a family friend to write a song. After hearing it, he immediately set up a recording session at an Atlanta recording studio for a demo. By the age of 21, Sonia had recorded two albums, Remember Me (1998) and Laundry (2000). Sonia has performed all over the Southeast as a solo artist, headliner, and as the supporting act for well known names including Randall Bramblett, Jason Mraz, Jennifer Nettles, Kristen Hall, The Marshall Tucker Band, Georgia Satellites, and the Zac Brown Band.

In late 2007, Sonia Leigh released Run or Surrender, produced by John Hopkins of the Zac Brown Band. Rave reviews and continuous touring to sold out venues in and around the Southeast, confirm Sonia’s homegrown approach to converting listeners one fan at a time. Her current release, Angel on My Shoulder was recorded live at Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA, where many Georgia musicians have launched their careers, including Jennifer Nettles and Kristen Hall of Sugarland, Shawn Mullins, and John Mayer. As well as touring throughout the Southeast, Sonia has been playing in select cities throughout the country.