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"Profilez:
By Cat in the Wind |
 I'm
excited to introduce you to Garrison Leykam who'll be
debuting a new column for Excursionz: "Profilez:
Bikerz in the Artz." Here are some excerpts from
a recent conversation with
Garrison:
KW: How did the concept for "Profilez: Bikerz in the
Artz" come about?
GL: I've been motorcycling for as long as I can
remember. Not just recreationally but to the recording
studio, my office, gigs. A lot of performers I've worked
with are bikers as well and became riding partners. I
thought it would be a great idea and fun to share with
Excursionz readers some of the creative folks who live
right here in Connecticut who also motorcycle.
KW: How do you think motorcycling and being in the
arts go together?
GL: I think the common thread is passion. No one devoted
to motorcycling just rides. There is an inner passion
for motorcycling. And, no one serious about artistic
performance just dabbles. It's a passion. The two feed
each other and reinforce one's need for self-expression.
KW: You had quite a career with London Records. What
was your role in the musical arts?
GL: There was no better place to be than at the crest of
the British wave with London Records, the American wing
of Decca Records in England. The major portion of my
time was spent finding and developing new talent.
KW: What did you do for London?
GL: I was in charge of finding new talent and hooking up
artists with producers and, if needed, songwriters.
London was big enough at the time to be one of the major
record companies with several hot labels. At the same
time we were also small enough that everyone wore a
whole lot of hats. I traveled the country a lot going to
clubs and music venues as well as listening to demo
tapes looking for talent. Once I signed them, I not only
got involved with putting the singles and albums
together musically but I was also in charge of the album
design and graphics as well as spending time on the road
touring with acts.
KW: Did you do producing yourself?
GL: Yes, I produced several albums by the Texas band
Greezy Wheels, prolific singer-songwriter Leslie Pearl
and legendary jazz pianist Erroll Garner.
KW: So you must have spent a lot of time in the
recording studio.
GL: Actually, most of my time was spent in and out of
studios. Besides my A&R responsibilities, I was Director
of Recording Studio Operations so even if I wasn't
producing a particular artist I had to oversee recording
and mixing.
KW: London Records had quite an impressive artist
roster.
GL: Yes, I was fortunate to have worked in various
capacities with The Moody Blues, Dave Edmunds, The
Rolling Stones.
KW: How about American artists?
GL: In addition to being a subsidiary of a British
company focused on the surge of interest in music coming
out of England, we also put a lot of creative energy and
money into American recording artists like Al Green and
ZZ Top.
KW: So are you also a performer yourself?
GL: Yes, interestingly I went to high school with Tommy
Mottola who was performing as
"T.D. Valentine" then and I played the same coffee house
circuit in college as Don McLean. We were all
"Westchester boys." I performed at Connecticut's own
Toad's Place as well as in New York City at
CBGB's, DownTime, the C-Note and Acme
Underground. I also solo'd at Nashville's legendary
Bluebird Cafe. In fact, I originally came to the
attention of London Records as a performer and songwriter.
KW: What's the best way for Excursionz readers to get
in touch with you if they know someone who is a biker as
well as a musician, painter, poet, actor or dancer for
your new column?
GL: They can e-mail me at
garrisongs@aol.com
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