Paul William Leim (born December 29, 1950) is an American drummer and recording session musician based in Nashville.[2][3]

Paul Leim
Birth namePaul William Leim
Born (1950-12-29) December 29, 1950 (age 73)
Port Huron, Michigan, United States
OriginNashville, Tennessee, United States
GenresCountry music, rock, pop, Contemporary Christian, film music[1]
OccupationMusician
Instrument(s)Drums, percussion
Years active1970–present
Websitepaulleim.com

Biography

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Leim was born in Port Huron, Michigan[4] and raised in Troup, Texas. He was inspired to take up drumming as a child after hearing the recording of "Skin Deep" by Duke Ellington and his Orchestra featuring Louie Bellson on drums.[5] Robin Hood Brians, a recording studio owner, told Leim he played as if he had a metronome in his head, and invited Leim to play on recordings.[6]

He moved to Los Angeles in his mid 20s[4] to further pursue his music career, and relocated to Nashville in 1988.[7]

Leim has worked with John Williams (Return of the Jedi),[8] Doc Severinsen,[6] The Berlin Orchestra, The London Symphony, The Boston Pops, Lionel Richie,[9] Dolly Parton, Peter Cetera, Tanya Tucker, Randy Travis, Michael W. Smith, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, PUR, Lorrie Morgan, Lyle Lovett, Amy Grant, Collin Raye, Montgomery Gentry, Lonestar, Faith Hill, Bob Seger, Billy Currington, Kenny Chesney,[9] Shania Twain,[10] and others.

Motion picture credits for Leim include The River, Tank, The Legend of DB Cooper, Dirty Dancing, Elvis and Me, Elvis, and Star Wars Return of the Jedi. Episodic television series and specials include Wonder Woman, Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, Elvis, Fall Guy, Spencer for Hire, The Tonight Show, Growing Pains, Battlestar Galactica, Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, and Dolly. He was staff on The Grammy Awards, eight years on Dick Clark's American Music Awards, four years with the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Grand Ole Opry.

Leim recorded with The Monkees on their 20th anniversary album, Then and Now, including "That was Then and This is Now".[6]

Leim is an eight-time Academy of Country Music drummer of the year Nominee, multiple winner of Nashville Music Award, "Drummer/Percussionist", and Nashville Music Row Magazine's "Top 10 Music All Stars" award winner. Most recently he is winner of "Drum Magazine" Drummie of the Year, (Country Category) 4 Years in a Row and Modern Drummer Magazine "Reader's Poll", Drummer of the Year, (Country Category) for an Eighth year in a Row (2001 – 2008).

Touring

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Leim has toured with:[11]

Personal life

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Leim lives in Nashville with his wife Jeanie. He is a licensed pilot and has owned several aircraft.[7]

Discography

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1970–1984

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This section presents a partial list of albums to which Leim has contributed.

1985–1987

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1988–1990

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1991–1992

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1993–1994

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1995–1996

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1997–1998

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1999–2001

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2002–2004

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2005–2007

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2008–2009

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2010–present

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References

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  1. ^ Robyn Flans (October 1987). "Paul Leim The Right Time" (PDF). Modern Drummer. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  2. ^ John M. Aldridge (12 April 2011). "Inside The Nashville Drumming Scene". Drum! Magazine. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  3. ^ Roscetti, Ed (2008). Stuff! Good Drummers Should Know: An A to Z Guide to Getting Better. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9781423428480. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  4. ^ a b Bob Doerschuk (2018-04-24). "Paul Leim: 50 Years Of Number 1 Hits". DRUM! Magazine. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  5. ^ Robyn Flans (October 1987). "Paul Leim The Right Time" (PDF). Modern Drummer. Retrieved 19 May 2021.
  6. ^ a b c Suzanne Loudamy (February 1, 2017). "Paul Leim: And the beats goes on!". Wood County Monitor. Archived from the original on February 5, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  7. ^ a b Julie Summers Walker (February 5, 2016). "Pilots: Legendary Drummer Paul Leim". Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  8. ^ McCreery, Scotty; Travis Thrasher (May 3, 2016). Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward the Dream. Zondervan. ISBN 9780310345237. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Bart Elliott (June 22, 2012). "Nashville Icon, Paul Leim Continues To Drum Up The Hits With Chesney and Richie". Drummer Cafe. Archived from the original on February 3, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  10. ^ Eggar, Robin (June 15, 2010). Shania Twain: The Biography. Simon and Schuster. ISBN 9781451604542. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  11. ^ "Paul Leim, drummer". Eaglemaniacs. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  12. ^ a b Cohan, Jon (1998). The Drummer's Almanac. Hal Leonard Corporation. ISBN 9780793566969. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  13. ^ Mark Kennedy (March 2, 2009). "Lynda Carter loses the hero suit, picks up a mic". Deseret News. Archived from the original on September 27, 2018. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  14. ^ Massingill, Randi L. (January 1, 2005). Total Control: The Monkees Michael Nesmith Story. FLEXquarters.com Limited. ISBN 9780965821841. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
  15. ^ Damon Orion (March 19, 2013). "Dance, Monkee, Dance!". Good Times Santa Cruz. Retrieved November 23, 2017.
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