Lenny LeBlanc and Pete Carr
2023 Inductees

Lenny LeBlanc: June 17, 1951
Pete Carr: April 22, 1950 – June 27, 2020

Lenny LeBlanc and Pete Carr grew up in Daytona Beach, Florida in the late 60s. Growing up in the same city as Duane and Greg Allman was quite inspiring, especially when Duane would occasionally take the stage with Lenny and Pete in local clubs.

In 1969 during Lenny’s last year of school, Pete ventured to California to play bass in Duane and Greg’s newly formed band, “The Hour Glass.” A few years later, Duane spent a short time in Muscle Shoals playing on some notable hits with Rick Hall at Fame Studios while Pete moved back to Florida.

In the early 1970s, Pete Carr found his way to Muscle Shoals and became a part of the famed Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section as lead guitarist, playing on countless hit records. In the process, Pete became a successful record producer. In 1973, at Pete’s invitation, Lenny made the move to Muscle Shoals. Soon after, Pete sent a few of Lenny’s songs to Atlantic Records’ co-founder, Jerry Wexler. In 1975, Big Tree Atlantic recording artist, Lenny, released his first solo LP. Later at the suggestion of label head Doug Morris, Lenny and Pete formed the duo, LeBlanc and Carr, and released the hit song “Falling” (now listed as one of Billboard Magazine’s all-time Top 40 Hits).

Pete added depth to his understanding of the recording studio environment by engineering and producing numerous albums over the years which has led to several Grammy nominations. In 1974, Paul Simon's There Goes Rhymin’ Simon album was nominated for two Grammy Awards; and Against the Wind by Bob Seger earned two Grammys in 1981. In addition, Pete co-produced Seger’s Stranger in Town album which featured the hit, “Old Time Rock and Roll.” Pete Carr had distinguished himself as the only studio musician in the Muscle Shoals area to succeed as studio musician, artist, composer, engineer, and producer. Carr's contribution to American music continues to be heard daily around the globe. Songs featuring Carr's lead guitar such as Bob Seger’s "Mainstreet" and Paul Simon's "Kodachrome" are standards.

In 1980, Lenny became a solo artist and signed a Songwriter/Recording contract with Muscle Shoals Sound Publishing and MSS Capital Records. After releasing one LP, faith became an increasingly bigger focus in Lenny’s life and his musical path soon followed, leading to 9 LP’s and numerous Dove Award nominations. In 2002, his song “Above All” received a Dove Award for Recorded Song of the Year. Many of his gospel songs are well-known both nationally and internationally. As a result, Lenny has toured and performed concerts in North America, South America, Europe, Africa, and Asia.

Songwriter credits: Roy Orbison, America, Dobie Grey, Ricky Skaggs, Sawyer Brown, Richie McDonald, Randy Travis, Willie Nelson, Michael W. Smith, and more.