WhySails

Why Battered Sails?

"Battered Sails" began as a ministry in 1998 on the heels of a divorce. In the early months of that year, Leonard fell in love with a song "The Anchor Holds", by Ray Boltz. He had no idea how greatly that song would impact his life as the year progressed. In June, his wife voiced her desire to end their marriage of 13 years. When counseling failed to bring reconciliation, they separated and finally divorced in 1999.

It was a devastating blow for Leonard. Music and singing became a type of comfort and counsel in dealing with issues that life experiences had not prepared him for. He began to look for songs that would bring comfort and consolation through these dark and lonely days. As he began to share these songs and his struggles with being single again, he found many in his church family were facing struggles of their own and the songs brought comfort and encouragment to them as well.

Leonard says: "When you are alone and isolated, it is easy to feel that you are the only one facing this problem and you wish life would just be over. But when you find other Christians have struggles too, you find support in the family. BATTERED SAILS was born out of a desire to let people know that in spite of the storms in life, we can have our lives firmly anchored in Jesus. We may suffer through struggles and tragedy, but the foundation in our lives will be unshakable."

In 2002, Leonard was introduced to the Country Gospel Music Association of Branson, MO and started learning to sing country music. The conferences and fellowship with other artists inspired, encouraged and challenged him. He began writing music as a result of attending a seminar offered during one of the conferences.

That year, he also joined Paul & Trish Jackson to form "The Jetstream Trio." They were awarded International Acapella Group of the Year by CGMA in 2003 and honored again in 2004 with International Acapella Group of the Year and Vocal Group of the Year.

The CGMA Golden Heart convention features singers from across the nation and several foreign countries who have won their regional CGMA titles. The awards are voted on by the artist's peers.

In 2004, the convention drew 129 artists from around the world. That year, the many hours of practice and preparation paid off for Leonard when he was awarded CGMA International New Male Artist of the Year.

It was also the year he recorded his first CD, "The Anchor Holds." The compact disc features songs of comfort, faith, and family and reminds people that God understands and will help them through their struggles. Even when it seems that no one understands, God is there; it is not the end of the world.

The best part of doing the recording for Leonard was that he got to sing songs close to his heart. He got to put his innermost feelings into it.