Event

GB Leighton at the 318 Cafe

More than 200 shows a year. Jubilant fans who follow him from Minnesota to Mexico. More than 70,000 albums sold. A new release Get Up and a state-of-the-art nightclub named after one of his songs -- all without the support of a major record label

GB Leighton, a band named after one of the regions most incendiary live performers and consistently solid songwriters, Brian Leighton. Through more than a decade and eleven studio albums, Leighton and his six piece band have been tearing up rock clubs, festivals and even a few fans living rooms with a slew of songs that connect with the heart and couples singing along out on the dance floor. A man of the people is a phrase usually reserved for statesmen and politicians, but for Leighton, its a fitting description when you see him in action working a crowd.

Where have we seen this phenomena before? Springsteen in Asbury Park before he lit out for New York and the wider world; Mellencamp back in those anonymous Indiana bars; Hootie and the Blowfish lightin up the southern circuitLeighton delivers that same inescapable rock n roll spirit night after night. If I hadnt heard a bunch of Bruces bootlegs or seen the videos Id be a much different musician, he says today. Hes always been a great songwriter and performer, like a preacher almost who commands an audience. Thats the place Im coming from. But at the end of the day, Im just a common guy, a working class kid from a Twin Cities suburb who loves to put on a good show and hopefully write some good songs in between.

Leighton made his national country debut with Get Up, his eleventh album. For Leighton, who was also recently honored by Billboard.com as a Top 10 Country Artist to Watch in 2014 as well, this project is something his fans of all ages and interests can enjoy. Leightons music has clearly left a lasting impression in the Midwest as fans have inked themselves with his lyrics.

This is the only thing I ever wanted to do. I dont see stopping or changing it up no matter where it takes me and the band.