Bill Leverty

William G. Leverty II (born January 30, 1967) is an American guitarist. He is best known as a founding and current member of the rock band, FireHouse. Leverty is responsible for writing many of the band's hit songs. Throughout the 2000s, Leverty has also pursued a solo career, releasing five albums: Wanderlust, Southern Exposure, Deep South, Drive, and Divided We Fall.

Bill Leverty
Birth nameWilliam G. Leverty II
Born (1967-01-30) January 30, 1967
OriginRichmond, Virginia, U.S.
GenresRock, hard rock, melodic rock
Occupation(s)Guitarist, musician, songwriter, producer
InstrumentsGuitar, vocals, lap steel guitar, acoustic guitar
Years active1984–present
Associated actsFireHouse, White Heat
Websitewww.leverty.com

Biography

Born in Richmond, Virginia, Leverty's parents gave him a guitar when he was 4 years old, although he didn't take playing guitar seriously until he was 15. Around this same time, Leverty began to study music theory in high school.[1] In 1984, Leverty's band, White Heat, held auditions for drummers and it was here that Leverty met fellow Richmond native and his longtime bandmate and collaborator, Michael Foster. In 1988, Leverty and Foster's White Heat combined forces with C.J. Snare and Perry Richardson. Before signing to Epic Records in 1989, White Heat changed their name to FireHouse.[2] Firehouse went on to sell over 7 million albums worldwide, as well as win the 1991 American Music Award for "Favorite New Heavy Metal/Hard Rock Artist."[3][4][5]

In 1993, Leverty won an ASCAP songwriter award for Firehouse's highest charting single, "Love of a Lifetime."[6][7]

Leverty married his wife Kris in 1996; together they have a child named Dabney.

In 2004, after 15 years with Firehouse, Leverty released his first solo album, Wanderlust. On October 9, 2007, Leverty released his first instrumental and second solo album, Southern Exposure, followed by a third album, Deep South, in 2009. His fourth solo album, Drive, was released in February of 2013. Leverty released his fifth album, Divided We Fall, in 2020.[8]

In 2013, Leverty formed supergroup, Flood The Engine. FTE is composed of Leverty, Jimmy Kunes (Cactus), Keith Horne (Tanya Tucker, Waylon Jennings, Trisha Yearwood, Luke Bryan), and Andre Labelle (Vinnie Vincent). Flood The Engine released their self-titled album, Flood The Engine, in 2013.[9]

Gear

Throughout the 90's, Leverty held an endorsement deal with Yamaha Guitar Development. He played the Yahama Pacifica model for 16 years.

On July 4, 2006, GREM USA announced that Leverty signed an exclusive endorsement with the guitar manufacturer. GREM guitars produced "The Bill Leverty Free Radical" model.

In 2012, Leverty began working with C.R. Alsip Guitars and became the guitar manufacturer's first endorsee. Leverty worked hand in hand with C.R. Alsip's master luthier & owner, Jake Willoughby, in the prototyping stages. Soon thereafter, Leverty's C.R. Alsip guitar known as "Lucky 13" was born. Leverty's second Alsip, "Goldie," was pictured on his fourth solo album, Drive.[10]

Discography

Studio albums
  • Wanderlust (2004)
  • Southern Exposure (2007)
  • Deep South (2009)
  • Drive (2013)
  • Divided We Fall (2020)

with Firehouse

with Flood The Engine
  • Flood The Engine (2013)

References
  1. Curran, Colleen (Jan 9, 2016). "Richmond guitarist Bill Leverty on FireHouse fame". Richmond Times Dispatch.
  2. Binggeli, Dagi (Sep 30, 1991). "`FIREHOUSE' Warms You Without Burning You Out". Deseret News.
  3. Mills, Fred (Oct 11, 2005). "Firehouse plans to stay hot". Tampa Bay Times.
  4. Nieman, Carrie (July 24, 2002). "Firehouse: Hard rock band". Style Weekly.
  5. "19th American Music Awards (presented in 1992)". Rock On The Net. Retrieved 2021-01-21.
  6. Haring, Bruce (May 25, 1993). "Warren, 'Best' tapped tops at ASCAP gala". Variety.
  7. Wilker, Deborah (Sep 30, 1992). "Firehouse More Than Just A Ballad Band". Sun Sentinel.
  8. Wood, James (March 4, 2013). "'Drive': FireHouse Guitarist Bill Leverty Discusses New Album of Classic Cover Songs". Guitar World.
  9. Wood, James (Nov 15, 2013). "Firehouse Guitarist Bill Leverty Discusses His New Project, Flood The Engine". Guitar World.
  10. "Gear". Leverty.com.

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