Lee Langdon

April 8, 2019 was a special moment in my life. That was the day I officially released into the world my first EP of five original songs entitled, “A Love Story”. But it was much more than seeing my songs go live on Apple Music and other music distribution platforms. That was certainly cool, but it was something much more special than that.

Hearing people’s reactions to my music and giving me positive feedback was wonderful for sure, but that’s not even what I’m talking about that made that day so special. Though, the people that supported me through the entire process were absolutely amazing and I was so honored by their love and support.

You see, for much longer than I’ve been alive my Dad has been a fantastic drummer. He started playing the drums when he was eleven and was in a few different bands throughout the years. When I was a boy he played in a band with “my uncles” (his brothers), Wayne and Bud, and a guy named Gene. I loved watching “my dad’s band” play! I remember being captivated by them, listening to their rendition of various James Taylor songs, Beatles songs, Eagles songs, etc. Dad was inspiring when he sang lead while playing the drums, just like Don Henley and Phil Collins would do.

One year they set up a stage in the backyard of our green house in Tabernacle, New Jersey, probably for a Labor Day party or something. It was also my birthday, and I specifically remember loving that day so much as we listened to their music. They even called me and two neighbor friends (Steve and Audrey) up on stage and sang “Happy Birthday” to us.

As a boy, “my dad is a drummer” was information I was always excited to share with people whenever I could. (Funny, I just shared “my Dad has been a drummer all of my life” with someone on the phone today!)

Come, listen to my song “New Jersey Home”

So why was April 8, 2019 so special to me?

Well, I could mention all of the support I received from my wife, and my kids, and from my family and friends who came and helped me pull off the release show. There was A LOT of work that had to be done, and they all jumped in and helped big time. That was all special for sure.

And I would be lying if I said playing live music with the guys in the band wasn’t super special to me. My nephew, Levi on guitar; my old next door neighbor, Nate on bass; and my old college friend, Preston on harmonica–I mean we killed it! All of the people involved and in the audience certainly made it special for me.

But I gotta tell you, by far, the most special part of that day for me was playing music with my dad.

Dad has always been a champion for me in whatever I’ve done. He was my baseball coach for years when I was younger. He’s been my golf partner whenever we could hit the links since I was just a boy (he gave me my first brand new club for my thirteenth birthday, a bronze Bulls Eye putter). Dad taught me how to use a hammer and a drill, how to serve people with hard work and finishing well, how to change a light bulb and a tire, how to save money for a first car, how to love older people with care, and on and on and on I could go. He’s always been such a good man, teaching us by his example, and with such patience. Maybe most important on the list is how he taught me to be a faithful and loving husband, father, and follower of Jesus. He’s been a wonderful dad for all three of us boys. I am so proud of my dad.

(By the way, my mom is the best mom ever. Seriously…my mom is better than your mom.)

Playing live music with my dad was a dream come true for me. For various reasons I suppose, we never really played music together before this day. Sure, sometimes “the boys” would pull out our guitars, but Dad never really played the guitar seriously like the rest of us (though he was always better than he let on). He did teach me how to play the drums (I barely play) on his own drum set years ago, and I have that old Ludwig drum set in our home today. But this time, it was different. We were making real music together. Actually, he was bringing to life my own songs that had only previously been played in the recording studio. We were jamming together, for the first time! “My dad, the drummer” was finally jamming with me! It was so special. It was like a full-circle kinda moment for me, Dad helping me carry the musical torch that he (and my singing mom) lit in my heart years ago. I am so glad we shared that moment together. It truly was one of the most special moments of my life. A dream come true.

Here’s a thought: this special moment would not have happened if we didn’t intentionally make it happen. Special moments start with dreams, that turn into exciting ideas, that develop into workable plans, that develop into a producing something tangible and real, that ultimately end up being dreams come true. Sure, some special moments happen out of the blue, but most are only made possible because of your intentionality.

You only get one life. I say dream big, work hard, and make it happen. Oh, and one more thing…enjoy it!

(Above is a video of us playing together for the first time in front of an audience at my release party. Now, when you watch this video, you can feel some of the feelings I was feeling when I was up there, playing with my dad, and my nephew, and my buddies.)

“She Makes My Heart Come Alive” has now had over 18.9K views on Facebook! I love that this song has been viewed by so many people and that often. And maybe even more impressive in my heart are the 120+ shares of people passing it on.

You know, as a songwriter you write what’s going on inside, and when others can be encouraged and uplifted by what you write, that thrills the soul. I mean, who doesn’t want to make a difference in the world, right?!

Thank you to those who have passed this song on! It means a great deal.

If you haven’t heard this song yet, please have a listen! Watch it below from my YouTube channel (scodanlee). BUT, after you watch it, if you like it and are willing to share it on your FB page, please go to my FB page and share the video found on there. (https://www.facebook.com/leelangdonmusic/) It’s pinned to the top of my posts!

Thanks for listening! Oh, and share it like crazy!!

Have you ever wondered what actually happens for a songwriter to make a song come together? I have had a number of people inquire about my songwriting process, what I do to form a song. And I typically tell them that it seems like every song comes together in a different way.

Songs are crazy. Sometimes songs take fifteen minutes to get the bones together, and other times songs take weeks just to get a good idea to go anywhere. Sometimes a song idea starts with a cool chorus, and other times the verses come before the chorus. Sometimes songs spawn while taking a shower, and other times they come while driving down the road. I’ve have even woken in the middle of the night to quickly jot down or hum a melody I had just been dreaming about, before I would forget it.

Watch Lee’s official music video for “She Makes My Heart Come Alive”

Now, I don’t want to come off like I think I’m some expert. I most certainly am not! I’ve just been writing songs over twenty years and have learned a thing or two about how it works for me. There are many books written about songwriting, discussing things like writing quality lyrics, and chord structures, and song structures.

This audio documentary is just me working through the process I went through while writing the song, “She Makes My Heart Come Alive”. I thought I could help give you a glimpse in the private moments where I sing ideas into my phone, or add chords for the first time, and other stuff like that.

I hope you find this enjoyable! I would love to hear about your creative experiences and how you express yourself, either through song or some other avenue.

Lee

Venture back into my childhood with me and remember the feeling of playing outside on the swing set, soaking up the sun at the New Jersey Shore, and relaxing at night under the moonlit sky with family and music-filled peace.

This music video was made from a collection of 8mm family films of when I was very young, when our family lived in Country Lakes, New Jersey, not too many miles west on Route 70 from Long Beach Island, New Jersey. In this video you see our family home in Country Lakes, both sets of my grandparents and their homes in Pennsylvania (Philly area) and Maryland (Chesapeake Bay area), as well as a few of my aunts, uncles, and cousins. Our family later moved to Tabernacle, New Jersey, and I spent all of my school-age years living there and making memories. Life was good in New Jersey.

It’s funny, many of the songs I write are about real life that I’ve lived through. It’s wonderful for me to connect real life video footage to my lyrics, helping to paint the realistic picture of what life was and is truly like.

Listen to Lee’s love song about his wife!

I wonder what footage you could include if this song was written from your own childhood memories?! We all have them, for good or for bad. I wish we would all create videos like this one, like bookmarks in the chapters of our lives, to help us remember the good times that were full of love and laughter when we were kids.

I hope you enjoy the video. I would also love to hear from you! Please be sure to sign up to the right to stay up on the latest information regarding my music. New music is in the works! I’m getting really excited!!

Lee

Go listen to ‘A Love Story’ and be inspired to love others more. Lee’s original five-song EP officially released on April 8, 2019 to iTunes, Pandora, Spotify, and Google Play.

(Click on the merchandise tab above to purchase ‘A Love Story’ merchandise on Lee’s Bandcamp page.)

LEE LANGDON RELEASES HIS DEBUT SINGLE, “SHE MAKES MY HEART COME ALIVE” ON ITUNES, BANDCAMP, AND YOUTUBE

Single release: “She Makes My Heart Come Alive” by Lee Langdon

Release date: March 8, 2019

More info: Lee Langdon Music, LLC; leelangdon337@gmail.com; (630-234-0927); (SEE MUSIC VIDEO ON YOUTUBE)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Lee Langdon has released his debut single “She Makes My Heart Come Alive”.

Produced by Charlie Lowell (Jars of Clay) in his Nashville based Hollow/Hum studio, this inspiring single leads the way for Lee Langdon’s EP ‘A Love Story’ due to release on April 8, 2019 on iTunes, BandCamp, and Spotify.

The singer-songwriter’s personal lyrics in the single attest to a resilient devoted love shared with his spouse of twenty plus years. Accompanied by flowing melodies, eloquent vocals, and piano runs, Langdon hopes to inspire listeners to love with strong devotion for a lifetime. The single witnesses skills of well-known Nashville musicians: Charlie Lowell (accordion and organ), Stephen Mason (Jars of Clay, bass), Paul Eckburg (drums), and Matt Koziol (guitars).

Bandcamp: https://leelangdonmusic.bandcamp.com

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/lee-langdon/397702646

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leelangdonmusic/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/leelangdon337/

Email: leelangdon337@gmail.com

Hey, thanks for coming by!

On March 8th at 2:00am, my first single “She Makes My Heart Come Alive” from my debut album ‘A Love Story’ will release on YouTube (Official Music Video), iTunes (released single for download and you can pre-order album), and BandCamp (pre-order physical CD and immediately get released single download track). I’m so excited!

• My Facebook page is @leelangdonmusic.
• My Instagram is @leelangdon.

On December 1st I flew from Oklahoma City into Nashville and recorded my album in Gray Matters and Hollow Hum Studios. Charlie Lowell produced my album. Charlie is an original member of the band Jars of Clay, and is now also an excellent music producer and engineer. Matt Odmark (Jars of Clay) was our recording engineer; Stephen Mason  (Jars of Clay) on bass; Paul Eckburg  on drums; and Matt Koziol on guitars. These guys were so much fun to work with, and so professional. We worked hard and I believe we made some great music together. I can’t wait for you to hear it!

Would you want to help me spread the word about my album? Click on the orange-lettered link below to learn more!

Click HERE to HELP LEE with this project!

I’d love for you to join my Lee Langdon Music Team! (Desktop: Look to the right and fill out the short form; MOBILE: scroll down for the form.) Stay informed about what’s happening next, and get deals on future merchandise!

Remember: This Friday, March 8th! Set your calendar to listen to my release “She Makes My Heart Come Alive” and watch the music video on YouTube!

Peace,

Lee