Leonard Sanders

Hollygrove News

Hollygrove Records is proud to introduce Leonard Sanders for our first feature.   Born 1956 and raised in the church his father Marion Sanders founded Jesus Name Temple in Dos Palos California, Leonard began playing piano at age 8.   Marion was appointed pastor for Witness of Jesus Christ Church located at 2519 S Elm St in Fresno CA, where Leonard has performed to this day since 1970 to a congregation of 75-100 members.   Bishop Robert W McMurray from the affiliated Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in Los Angeles who influenced  Leonard’s formative years had asked him to sing to a large quarterly conference in Bakersfield CA; accustomed to intimate services Leonard shied away from such opportunity for national attention early on. 

Instead come 1978 he joined the Supreme Jubilees with other members of Witness of Jesus Christ including his three brothers Melvin, Timothy, and Phillip; David Kingsby, David’s brother Joe, son David Jr; and Larry Price.   They made one album “It’ll All Be Over”.   The first half recorded at Trac Record Co a country and western studio in Fresno CA, the engineer was so upset after Leonard asked for heavy bass in the mix, he stopped the session and threw the group out.   The day before moving on to finish the album at Sierra Recording Studio in Visalia CA, Leonard practiced the title song lines incessantly.   That night in sleep a spiritual experience, first of its kind, quelled Leonard’s doubt; in one take “It’ll All Be Over” was over.

Their 2nd LP never realized then in 1981 Leonard organized Sanders & Co with all three Sanders brothers, two Sanders cousins: Greg Turner and Norita Sanders, and Mark Wells recording the album “Only A Matter Of Time” at Triad Recording Studio.   Along with gospel he co-wrote and sang on one acclaimed secular project produced by his uncle Nathaniel Sanders: The Topics “Wanted Live by a Million Girls.”   He states Donny Hathaway as his greatest recording artist influence and is currently working on perhaps his best material yet slated for future release.   Mean time we’re happy to offer the remaining stock exclusively for sale in the used section.   We hope you enjoy Leonard's songs in his gospel discography and the current mix.