Rachel Leigh

“I owe you a great deal of thanks for lifting my heart out of the malaise of illness I'm currently suffering; I couldn't have asked for a greater remedy from any doctor. Your song "Waiting in the Streets of Georgia" resonated with me as though you were reading from the very walls of my heart, and nearly moved me to tears.”
~Anonymous Audience Member
- N/A

See link for photo. - Ferenc Ecseki Photography

"Become part of the movement. Rachael Leigh continues her residency at Rev Coffee! Please stop by and check out one of Smyrna’s finest.

Rachel Leigh's ultimate goal is to share her love of music with you. Her soulful sound is a unique balance of emotion, sensuality and individualism with strong lyrics and catchy hooks. She had the opportunity to share this passion with audiences nationally and internationally, having played in London, Los Angeles, Nashville and various locations in Indiana (and soon to be SMYRNA, GA).

For more info on Rachel Leigh, please visit her myspace page. http://www.myspace.com/RachelLeighRocks." - REV Coffee

Last month, I ventured around the hills and dales across the great city of Atlanta into Decatur to hear a budding talent woo the crowd at Eddie's Attic as part of the Open Mic Shootout. Rachel Leigh won top honors for the night. She'll advance to the next level of competition in Open Mic Shootout this Thanksgiving with a chance to win $1,000 and some serious recognition. Tickets for this incredible event on Saturday, November 27 will go on sale Friday, July 31 at 3 PM. These tickets will go like hotcakes. This event is like an "American Idol" for singer-songwriters.

Eddie's Attic has established itself with a 17-year tradition for hosting outstanding songwriting talent. It has been a springboard to national success for artists such as John Mayer, Sugarland, Michelle Malone and many others. Perhaps the young artist from Frankton, IN will be among the next to join those ranks of achievers.

At age six, her first piano teacher said that she would never be able to learn piano. She studied Telecommunications and Theater at Ball State in Indiana, but after graduation she headed west to LA and began communicating her dream of finding her wings as a singer-songwriter. Rachel says it's best not to listen to those discouraging negative voices. She played her first solo gig when, as a junior in high school, and suffered a terrible episode of stage fright. Fortunately, her persistence and determination have paid off. In college, her school decided to fund her first music video. Her teacher, Michael O'Hara, Associate Dean of the College of Fine Arts at Ball State, caught wind of her musical skills and provided a big push of supportive encouragement.

Her song writing skills have recently taken a more other-centered approach. At first, her music served as an outlet to vent her emotions, but today Rachel finds herself asking "How can my music make a positive change in peoples lives?" Evidence of this is found strongly in her song "Waiting in the Streets of Georgia," in which she shares her struggle to find her place in a new city. The emotion and power of that sound have been connecting with others too.

Waiting in the Streets of Georgia
Music and Lyrics by Rachel Leigh
Copyright 2009

"Here I am
Waiting in the streets of Georgia
Trying to stand
Nobody will help me up
A crack of thunder
Flash of light
I'm hungry, thirsty
Day and night
I can't go on
While you just pass me by."

Here's a comment from a new fan who encountered a recent performance at REV Coffee.

"I owe you a great deal of thanks for lifting my heart out of the malaise of illness I'm currently suffering; I couldn't have asked for a greater remedy from any doctor. Your song 'Waiting in the Streets of Georgia,' resonated with me as though you were reading from the very walls of my heart, and nearly moved me to tears."

For Rachel, good music is a combination of both heart and soul and produces a story that touches the heart. She also respects those who find the courage to truly be themselves and express their uniqueness. Perhaps that's why she connects with the music scene in Atlanta so well. Rachel comments that Atlanta provides some great venues for an artist to grow and spread their wings. For Atlantans it's about what the music feels like, which means people listen, come to concerts with the attitude that they will listen, receive and accept what they hear compared to LA, where it's what the music looks like and Nashville, where it's what the music sounds like.

The song "All in My Head" holds special significance for Rachel too. When she was living away from home in Los Angeles she began having migraine headaches with stroke-like symptoms that affected her speech and vision. Originally, the doctors thought it might be a tumor and then told her "there's nothing wrong with you, it's all in your head." She grew up in a family that is very much involved in the healthcare field and didn't waste any time seeking help when she first noticed pain, but it seems that no one could help her. She's received more information on the cause of her medical condition today and is starting to take medication to control the symptoms as she seeks the resources for a clear diagnosis.

Rachel has tried out for "American Idol" twice and gained the confidence through that process that she definitely has a place in the music world. Today, she spends her time teaching children and adults piano, performing at concerts, leading worship services and continuing to sharpen her craft. She's not messing around either. Rachel has enlisted the vocal consultation from Jan Smith Studios in Druid Hills. This is where people like Usher, Rob Thomas, Ciara and Diana DeGarmo go for vocal consultation.

As of today, she's written hundreds of songs and is working on an electronic press kit and album; however, it's an expensive endeavor to record, master and produce five songs. This October, she's got a show out in LA and a commitment for several West Coast radio stations to play one of her songs on the air. Rachel is looking for community support to finish production on her latest album to be released this fall. If you are interested in giving financial donations, investment opportunities, production assistance or to book her, please contact 323.449.9409 or rachelleighmusic@gmail.com. - The Rodi Connection