BURBANK, CA. (Top40 Charts/ Warner Bros. Records) - Tennessee-born singer and songwriter Josiah Leming has completed work on his eagerly anticipated debut album for Reprise Records, which the label will release in early 2009. The 19-year-old newcomer, who made a splash with his powerfully expressive voice and passionate performance style, spent several weeks over the summer in London with producer/musician
David Kosten (Bat For Lashed, Faultline), recording the songs, all of which he wrote himself.
To give listeners a taste of what's to come, Leming will release Angels Undercover: Selections From Josiah Leming's Album Debut - a five-song sampler of tracks from the album on October 28th. The tracks - "Arctic Outcry Wind," "Angels Undercover," "Theysay," "This Cigar," and "To Run" - will be sold digitally via iTunes and all participating digital retailers, as well as in CD form via Leming's www.myspace.com/josiahleming and at his upcoming shows.
In addition, Leming will hit the road on November 12th for a several low-key shows to give fans a preview of what they can expect from the debut. Many of those fans will recognize Leming from his appearance on Season 7 of American Idol. His electrifying performances and moving story struck a chord with viewers who turned up in droves on Leming's MySpace page to send messages of support and listen to the original songs he had posted. Since then, the page has racked up nearly 3.5 million views, while Leming's songs have been listened to nearly three million times collectively.
Leming left his home in Morristown, TN, at age 17 to make it as a musician, hoping to find a way to help support the family he was leaving behind - eight siblings (six of whom are adopted), an out-of-work stepfather, and a mother with terminal cancer.
Leming traveled around the Southeast playing open-mic nights in any club or coffeehouse that would have him, sleeping in his car and taking odd jobs to pay for food and gas, all the while dreaming about the album he would make one day. His appearance on American Idol created a frenzy of attention, landing him a manager who brought him to Warner Bros. Records, with the A&R executive who had worked with a number of his Josiah's major influences. The label signed him to a publishing and recording deal In June 2008. For Leming, that dream of making an album has finally arrived. To learn more about this compelling new artist, please visit his MySpace page,
Josiah Leming's confirmed tour dates as follows - more to be confirmed shortly:
Wed - Nov 12 - Biltmore - Vancouver, BC
Thur - Nov 13 - Hawthorne Theater - Portland, OR
Fri - Nov 14 - El Corazon - Seattle, WA
Sun - Nov 16 - Red Devil Lounge - San Francisco, CA
Tue - Nov 18 - The Brewing Company - San Luis Obispo, CA
Thur - Nov 20 - Plush - Tucson, AZ
Sat - Nov 22 - Dos Amigos - Odessa, TX
Sun - Nov 23 - Midnight Rodeo - Abilene, TX
Mon - Nov 24 - The Marquee - Tulsa, OK
Wed - Nov 26 - Young Avenue Deli - Memphis, TN
