Swedish country singer/songwriter, TJ Leonard got his first guitar from his grandfather, when he was eight; he taught his grandchild to play Swedish folk music and evergreens.
Soon, TJ was introduced to pop and blues through his cousin, who was a little bit older and played in a famous Swedish pop band.
At eighteen, TJ became lead singer and guitar player in a dance band.
Many genres have passed through TJ’s life: Jazz, hard rock, gospel, soul/r&b, but not until country music came along, did it feel like home.
Together with Tex Taylor, he started the band, CHESTNUT, in 2010.
Later that year, they released their first single, “110% Country,” followed by the EP, American Dream.
CHESTNUT played at most of the country festivals in Sweden and Denmark. In both 2012 and 2013, they were nominated in the Swedish Country Music Championships.
In late 2013, TJ decided to release his songs under his own name, TJ Leonard. TJ is a Top 50 CMT.com Most Popular Artist, an Academy of Western Artists award nominee, a 2016 Indie Music Channel Awards nominee, a 2016 Josie Music Awards nominee and a #1 New Music Weekly charting artist with "The River," from the album, High On Livin’ (MTS Records).
TJ also scored a Top 10 NMW hit with "Remember Those Times."
TJ has appeared on countless radio shows and in magazines around the world. His latest single is "Roadtrip," scheduled for January 2018 release on MTS.
WEBSITE: www.tjleonardcountry.com
TWITTER: www.twitter.com/tjlcountry