livingston leo
Livingston, New Jersey, United States
Music
Press
LIVINGSTON, NJ - Lenny Meranus
is not your typical life insurance
salesman. While at 45, he is
relatively new to the business,
having worked in the field for just
over four years, the Livingston
native brings with him a world of
experience in sales and marketing
that is unique. Add to the mix
Lenny’s band, Livingston Leo,
which is taking on a life of its own,
and Lenny Meranus is clearly
enjoying life.
A graduate of the Livingston High
School Class of 1982, Lenny
attended Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut before working
for Minidata, a payroll services company that competed with ADP and
was later sold and made the owners rich happy old men. Lenny was
the company’s leading salesman.
When the company was sold, Lenny began to follow his true passion –
music. He booked gigs for artists including blues legend Popa Chubby.
Through these relationships, he met and became friends with several
local and famous entertainers. Lenny most of all treasures the
friendships he has developed with the Neville Brothers, Los Lobos and
Warren Haynes.
He helped book tours for Popa Chubby and was able to secure a
national tour for him and make him into a national figure. Popa
Chubby was signed by Epic Records and Lenny and Popa Chubby had
the opportunity to work with legendary producer Tom Dowd, who
produced Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, and
many more.
While living in Hoboken in the early ’90’s Lenny played guitar for the
Legendary Wild Ensemble based in Hoboken. The band wrote a song
about him because he was the kid from the suburbs in the band while
all of the rest of the band were from urban areas – they called the
song "Livingston Leo". The band’s drummer was Chris Butler, who is
famous for his songs "I Know What Boys Like" and "Christmas
Wrappings."
The band went dormant for a while and Lenny then began recording
his own songs and booking gigs keeping the name "Livingston Leo". "I
thought it was a great blues name," Lenny told The Alternative Press.
Lenny soon left the employ of Popa Chubby and went on the road
with several different bands including Los Lobos. He traveled all over
the country with Los Lobos and throughout this time, made
connections and friendships with many including Warren Haynes of
the Allman Brothers Band. During this time, he also saw how Los
Lobos members were all married and loved going home to their
families. Lenny was single at the time. However, that soon changed
when he met his wife backstage at a Gov’t Mule concert.
Lenny then joined Acorn Financial Services advising business owners
and families, which he has been doing for the past four plus years. "It
is very similar to what I did in the entertainment business, I build
advisor teams and manage families," Lenny told The Alternative
Press.
Meanwhile, his band, Livingston Leo, lives on and concentrates on
accessible love songs, songs about barbeque, and other songs based
on Lenny’s real life experiences. "Times are rough out there,
everybody is looking for an outlet, a way to have some fun, I want
people to have fun when they hear my music," Lenny told The
Alternative Press.
Livingston Leo’s band includes:
drummer, Pete Abazia, a senior at Montclair State,
bass player, Joe Wallace, who is the Hillsborough High School band
leader, and
Hammond Organ wizard Brian Charette.
You can catch Livingston Leo and his band November 6th at Bernie’s
Hillside Lounge in Chester, NJ, and November 12th at Mo Fiddles in
Livingston Town Center. Livingston Leo has also been invited by
Warren Haynes to his annual "Christmas Jam" Festival in Asheville
North Carolina, December 11th and 12th. - the alternative press 10/30/9
Discography
Livingston Leo EP -- release date 12am 1/5/2010
Photos
Bio
LIVINGSTON, NJ - Lenny Meranus
is not your typical life insurance
salesman. While at 45, he is
relatively new to the business,
having worked in the field for just
over four years, the Livingston
native brings with him a world of
experience in sales and marketing
that is unique. Add to the mix
Lenny’s band, Livingston Leo,
which is taking on a life of its own,
and Lenny Meranus is clearly
enjoying life.
A graduate of the Livingston High
School Class of 1982, Lenny
attended Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut before working
for Minidata, a payroll services company that competed with ADP and
was later sold and made the owners rich happy old men. Lenny was
the company’s leading salesman.
When the company was sold, Lenny began to follow his true passion –
music. He booked gigs for artists including blues legend Popa Chubby.
Through these relationships, he met and became friends with several
local and famous entertainers. Lenny most of all treasures the
friendships he has developed with the Neville Brothers, Los Lobos and
Warren Haynes.
He helped book tours for Popa Chubby and was able to secure a
national tour for him and make him into a national figure. Popa
Chubby was signed by Epic Records and Lenny and Popa Chubby had
the opportunity to work with legendary producer Tom Dowd, who
produced Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, and
many more.
While living in Hoboken in the early ’90’s Lenny played guitar for the
Legendary Wild Ensemble based in Hoboken. The band wrote a song
about him because he was the kid from the suburbs in the band while
all of the rest of the band were from urban areas – they called the
song "Livingston Leo". The band’s drummer was Chris Butler, who is
famous for his songs "I Know What Boys Like" and "Christmas
Wrappings."
The band went dormant for a while and Lenny then began recording
his own songs and booking gigs keeping the name "Livingston Leo". "I
thought it was a great blues name," Lenny told The Alternative Press.
Lenny soon left the employ of Popa Chubby and went on the road
with several different bands including Los Lobos. He traveled all over
the country with Los Lobos and throughout this time, made
connections and friendships with many including Warren Haynes of
the Allman Brothers Band. During this time, he also saw how Los
Lobos members were all married and loved going home to their
families. Lenny was single at the time. However, that soon changed
when he met his wife backstage at a Gov’t Mule concert.
Lenny then joined Acorn Financial Services advising business owners
and families, which he has been doing for the past four plus years. "It
is very similar to what I did in the entertainment business, I build
advisor teams and manage families," Lenny told The Alternative
Press.
Meanwhile, his band, Livingston Leo, lives on and concentrates on
accessible love songs, songs about barbeque, and other songs based
on Lenny’s real life experiences. "Times are rough out there,
everybody is looking for an outlet, a way to have some fun, I want
people to have fun when they hear my music," Lenny told The
Alternative Press.
Livingston Leo’s band includes:
drummer, Pete Abazia, a senior at Montclair State,
bass player, Joe Wallace, who is the Hillsborough High School band
leader, and
Hammond Organ wizard Brian Charette.
You can catch Livingston Leo and his band November 6th at Bernie’s
Hillside Lounge in Chester, NJ, and November 12th at Mo Fiddles in
Livingston Town Center. Livingston Leo has also been invited by
Warren Haynes to his annual "Christmas Jam" Festival in Asheville
North Carolina, December 11th and 12th.
Links