Mo’s Music

Posted on June 29th, 2007 by Mo Leverett.
Categories: ministry updates.

Music
In addition to his ministry efforts, Mo is an accomplished musician, singer/song writer, producer, and public speaker. Having recorded nearly 10 separate CDs, he also speaks and performs before thousands nationwide. His music is the outgrowth of many varied experiences and reflections as He lived out incarnational ministry priorities in one of the most challenged urban communities in the country.

Barbara Warner

Comment on January 8th, 2008.

Mo,

A few questions concerning your music background.

Did you grow up in a family where your parents played instruments/sang?

Did you take formal music lessons, if so, at what age did you begin?

Do you play any other instruments aside from the guitar?

Do you write lyrics without a tune or do both the music and the lyrics come together at the same time?

What is the shortest amount of time you have written a song in?

What are your favorites artists? What types of music do you listen to yourself?

Do your children share your talent for music? Do they play the guitar?

Mo Leverett

Comment on January 8th, 2008.

Thank you Barbara for your questions. I’m surprised but honored that you would be interested at all in these things. But let me try to answer them for you.

My Mom played the piano just a bit. She sang to us as children and I remember singing Christmas songs on Christmas eve every year. But that was about the extent of it.

I took piano lessons when I was young but was more interested in football, baseball, basketball and neighborhood fights as a kid. I no longer play the piano but wished I could. I did not receive any formal lessons for the guitar. I watched and learned what I know from other players, but mostly developed my style of play in the closet where I could be assured that no one was listening.

I sometimes write the music, then the lyrics. Mostly though lately I’ve been writing the lyrics first and then weaving the chords and melody around them. Every once in a while they happen almost simultaneously when I’m much inspired.

The shortest time that I’ve written a song - maybe 5 minutes or so. Some have taken years to complete.

I don’t listen to much music in that I’m pretty busy, but when I do I prefer Bruce Cockburn, James Taylor, Bob Dylan, Pierce Pettis among a few others. Mostly though I am subjected to whatever my kids stick in the CD player in my car on the way to school.

None of my kids are playing the guitar as of yet. But I did not pick up the guitar until I was 15. Lindsay, my oldest, likes to sing. I think she’s writing a bit, but she doesn’t share her stuff with me unless I beg. Lacey is a good singer too, but very shy.

Feel free to ask more questions. I hope I answered these fully enough.

Derek Lindsay

Comment on January 19th, 2008.

Mo,
I was introduced to your ministry through a co-worker and subsequently he gave me a copy of your CD Poetic Justice. My son and I listen to it all the time and love it. We both began playing guitar a couple of years ago and were wondering if you had the chord charts to some of your songs so we can play for our youth etc. Like a Canopy, Flock of Angels. Narrow Little Road, are some of our favorites Thanks Derek-Baton Rouge

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