Birmingham, AL. (Top40 Charts/ Veranda On Highland) - Veranda on Highland, one of Birmingham's premier restaurants, presents the Grammy-winning songwriter Richard Leigh as part of the "Veranda Summer Singer and Songwriter Series." Leigh, whose eight No. 1 hits include "I'll Get Over You" and "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," performs on Friday,
September 26, at the restaurant at 2220
Highland Avenue South.
Cocktails are available beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. and the show at 8:00 p.m. Admittance to the show is $20 with a minimum food or drink purchase of $25 per person. Seats are limited and require reservations, which can be made by calling Veranda on Highland at (205) 939-5551. Addition information is available at www.verandaonhighland.com.
Preceding Leigh's performance is an extravagant three-course dinner prepared by Veranda's celebrated executive chef Tom Robey. An exclusive "Songwriter menu" created for the "Veranda Summer Singer and Songwriter Series" features appetizers such as New Orleans style turtle soup and entrees like Certified Hereford Ribeye with haricot vert and rosemary rubbed new potatoes.
"Richard's songs are recognized by millions of people and span years of tradition in the country music industry," said Tom Robey, Veranda's executive chef. "His exceptional songwriting talent is matched only by his award-winning history, making his performance at Veranda the perfect ending to a freshly-prepared meal. This is sure to please anyone who appreciates sensational songwriting and hearty southern-style cuisine."
Writing songs professionally since he was 23, Leigh received his first break in 1976 with "I'll Get Over You." The song, recorded by Crystal Gayle, rose to No. 1 on Billboard's country chart and earned Leigh his first "Song of the Year" honors from the Country Music Association (CMA).
Just two years later Crystal Gayle recorded Leigh's "Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue," one of his most successful songs. Reaching No.1 on the pop and country charts, the song bestowed Leigh with his second "Song of the Year" award from CMA. Additionally, it was Grammy nominated for "Best Song" in both the Pop and Country categories, winning "Best Country Song." The single sold over a million copies and was named one of the ten most performed "Country Songs of the Century" at the 1999 ASCAP Awards.
Leigh has written or co-written six other No. 1 singles. "Somewhere in My Broken Heart" with Billy Dean, which won "Song of the Year honors from both the Nashville Songwriter's Association and the Academy of Country Music; "The Greatest Man I Never Knew" with Layng Martine, Jr., nominated for a "Best Country Song" Grammy; "Come From the Heart" with Susanna Clark; "That's the Thing About Love" with Gary Nicholson; "Life's Highway" with Roger Murrah; and "Put Your Dreams Away" with Wayland Holyfield.
A renowned list of artists have graced Leigh's songwriting catalogue, including Ray Charles, Ronnie Milsap, Anne Murray, Steve Wariner, Billy Dean, Mickey Gilley, Reba McEntire, Don Williams and many others.
Leigh's extraordinary accomplishments have earned him several recognitions. In 1978, Nashville, Tenn., Mayor Richard Fulton presented Leigh with a "Key to the City." And in 1988, he was honored with a space on the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences Starwalk. But one of Leigh's greatest honors came in 1994 when his peers elected him as a member of the Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame, the premier association for songwriting's elite.
Leigh's powerful songwriting carries over into the 21st century, displaying the timelessness of his talent. The top ten hit "Cold Day in July" was performed by The Dixie Chicks, one of country music's best-selling groups. For more information on Richard Leigh, visit www.richardleigh.com.
