Leigh Humes

Leigh Humes, Tampa Bay area singer/songwriter and guitarist was born in Memphis, Tennessee and has lived in the Tampa Bay area for most of her life.
Leigh released her new CD entitled “Come Out of The Rain” on November 13, 2009 which is co-produced by her husband and music partner, Steve Humes. The title song “Come Out of the Rain” was written by request of The Spring of Tampa Bay – an area shelter for victims of domestic violence. Leigh wrote and performed the song live at their annual candle light vigil.

Leigh began her life-long love affair with music when she was just a few years old. She owes her interest in music to her mother who was a dancing teacher owning five dance studios along with her father who was an artist. Some of Leigh’s fondest early memories are of the grand productions her parents put on in and around Memphis which included her father’s hand made and painted set designs and props. Leigh staged her own mini productions performing for her friends, parents and other relatives. Before long Leigh found herself on stage too, performing Glow little Glow Worm and Diamonds are a Girls Best Friend at age five. Later Leigh joined a Junior High School band and sang as a back-up singer.

When Leigh was 12 years old, she picked up a guitar for the first time when her father purchased a $25.00 K-Mart special. This bargain guitar’s strings were so far from the guitar neck fret board that playing it was difficult at best. Never-the-less she played it till her fingers bled and continued playing it until her family moved to Tampa and she acquired a more player friendly Aria guitar at an area flea market.
Leigh began writing songs soon afterward. To date, Leigh has written well over one hundred songs all of which have been driven by emotion and borne from the heart.

Leigh’s earliest musical influences were Carol King, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Brenda Lee, Nat King Cole, Lana Contrel and Peggy Lee. Remarkably, Leigh had no formal instruction and learned to play guitar by ear with guidance from friends she’s met along the way. Leigh also performs locally with James Hawkins’ and The Cold Harbor Band as well as with her husband in a duo around the greater Tampa Bay Area. Leigh’s style has been coined as the place where jazz, country and folk meet.