Hi, I’m Leslie the older sister, and lead vocalist for Lucky Penny. I have always had a deep love of music and theatre in equal portions, and I don’t believe there is a stage I can’t feel at home on. Performing to me, makes as much sense as breathing. It’s automatic, and comfortable to me. I have performed in theatre, choir, and there was a time when I was even a ballroom dance teacher. (Don’t get too excited, I was my mother’s assistant.
I started learning my vocal craft in middle school choir, participated in talent shows, and even dabbled in modeling. In high school I was an active Thespian, and by my Senior year I was in 3 choirs. However it wasn’t until I was out of high school that I really learned the broad scope of my vocal abilities. I learned I could sing rock, blues, country, and choral music. I even participated in Columbus’s first ever televised singing competition called: Gimme The Mike! Columbus, that aired on our local Fox channel.
In between that and high school I pursued theatre, commercials and film. On one of the independent films I was in, I had the opportunity to work with Jerry Springer. The movie is called, “And the Winner is…” and Jerry and I are featured on the cover of the DVD. The movie is available to watch on Netflix.
Another deep seated passion of mine has always been writing. I was first published at the age of eight, and continued earning notoriety and praise for English projects and creative writing projects. A poem of mine was published in a compilation of young American writers when I was nineteen, and I am currently working on my first novel and hope to be submitting it to publishers in 2013.
If I had to name my musical influences, I fear that they would not make much sense. I was always on such a rollercoaster growing up, my tastes are all over the place. Today, I would say that my favorite singer of all time would be P!NK. But if you were to look at my iTunes playlist you would find crazy gems from Broadway musicals, next to Melissa Etheridge, Annie Lennox, and Wynona Judd. Then there would be my angry girl music, like Alanis Morrisette, Jewel, and Christina Perri. I also like Kings of Leon, Evanescence, Metallica, Journey, Bon Jovi, and Queen is pretty high on my list as well. Oh, now that I’m thinking about it, I thought I died and went to heaven when I first heard Johnny Lang’s “Lie to Me”, and Susan Tedeschi has one of the most incredible voices I have ever heard.
I love playing music, because it’s an honest release for me. I love the expression, the words, the thought and planning that go into the art of making music. Lucky for me I have an amazing musician for a sister, and we have the time of our lives up on stage!
When I’m not on stage, I am a domestic goddess. Happily married for 5 years with two sons that are 3 years and 9 months old. Singing on the weekends is my equivalent to donning a cape and becoming a Superhero.
Something I’m looking forward to this year: An Original Lucky Penny Album (yyyyeeesssss…)
