Hi, Nice to meet you! I'm Leigh Howell, and I'd like to tell you a little about myself. I was born in Mt Jewett Pa on Nov 22nd 1933. We moved to Westfield Pa. when I was 7 yrs. old. I lived there until I was 17. Then I joined the Army. I was discharged in 1954. Stayed out for 19 months, then joined the AirForce in August, of 55. I was stationed in Louisiana in 58, and 59. While there I met James Galliher and his family, and we continue to stay in touch after all these yrs!!
We called him Stretch because He's 6ft 4inches tall, and used to be very thin. Used to be is the key word there!! Anyway, we both played guitar a little bit, so we started jamming with other people, and soon decided we were good enough to play for the public. We started going to clubs and playing for nothing. We had a cigar box for tips. To shorten the story a little, I got Discharged and move to Iowa. I got a letter from Stretch one day, and he was still in the Airforce stationed in Mass. He wanted me to move up there to play. So away I went! It took about 3 months or so after I got there to get started, but when we did, we played all over the area. Then around 66 I think, Stretch shipped out. I had to find another Lead guitar player and keep going.
In 1968 I cut some records in Nashville, and did some more in 69. They got a little airplay, but didn't do a whole lot. But they did get me alot of work in the New England area. From that point on I made a pretty good living playing music. There were always people there to help me along the way. I couldn't possibly name them all, so I'll leave it at that.I played at a place called the "Ranch House Motor Inn" 7 nights a week for 13 yrs!! When I retired in 88, I had been at another club called "Billy T's 5 nights a week for 6 yrs.So you see I was very fortunate. Now I sing in my music room, and cut tapes etc. for my fans, and friends.
I want to thank my Grandson Eric for putting this web site together for me. There's no way I could have done it!!
And thanks to all the great country singers that gave me inspiration to start singing in the first place.
