I Am A Songwriter: Episode 4: Mark Leggett: 'How I Got Started'

“I Am A Songwriter” is a new series created by songwriter and musician Andrew Kastner. Songwriters are often the un-sung heroes standing in the shadows of the artists they write for. In this series Andrew shines a light on songwriters who have written songs for artists such as, Garth Brooks, Bonnie Raitt, Joe Cocker, Rod Stewart, The Staple Singers, Chaka Kahn, The Eagles and many more. They talk about how they got started, their process, what they think of the business and some great stories on how they had their songs placed.   The first episode of “I Am A Songwriter” features composer Mark Leggett, (MY NAME IS EARL, ANNE FRANK’S HOLOCAUST, DOLLY PARTON”S HEARTSTRINGS, LEVON HELM”S GREAT DRIVES, etc) picked up the guitar at an early age and taught himself the styles of the places he lived. An Air Force kid, constantly relocating, Leggett would check out the local music scene of each new city, learning swampy R&B in Arkansas, jazz/blues in Kansas City, grungy- rock in Washington State, and even learning the blend of ethnic styles in Guam and The Asia-Pacific territories. It is this versatility that is exemplified through his work as a composer for film, documentaries and television.
After moving to Los Angeles in the early 80s, Leggett was signed as a songwriter by Warner Chappell and would team with developing and established artists to write songs, most notably with Kylie Minogue. As a guitarist, his work can be heard on the Eminem song “Toy Soldiers”, also a #1 hit for the singer Martika. He then co-wrote a hit with Kylie Minogue. In the mid 80’s Leggett was asked to compose for a FOX tv show – which led to Leggett’s first TV mini-series GREAT DRIVES where he composed music that was recorded by LEVON HELM and THE BAND.
Leggett has become a valued-collaborator with numerous composers and recording artists. His collaboration with Velton Ray Bunch on the main titles for the NBC series THE PRETENDER would earn Leggett his first EMMY® nomination. He was brought in by Danny Lux to co-compose the music for the hit TV series MY NAME IS EARL, and also collaborated with guitarist/songwriter RICHARD THOMPSON on several documentaries including HBO’s THE COLD BLUE, DARK SECRETS OF THE LUSITANIA and JFK: THE FINAL HOURS. Leggett would earn his second EMMY nomination for the documentary CONQUISTADOR: A DAY IN THEIR LIVES. He also composed for the film DINOTASIA for director ERIK NELSON and narrator WERNER HERZOG.
With a résumé that includes documentaries set all over the world, from The American South to South Africa, Scotland to Vietnam, Leggett’s interest in regional sounds and instruments continues to color his tonal palate. In his Los Angeles studio, he utilizes traditional instrumentation, modern circuitry, and world-class musicians to record his music. Leggett’s recent project, the National Geographic Production of ANNE FRANK’S HOLOCAUST, is perhaps his most traditional composition to date featuring a 50 piece string orchestra.
Leggett’s current projects include the NETFLIX production DOLLY PARTON’S HEARTSTRINGS as well as ABC’s THE HAPPY DAYS OF GARRY MARSHALL as well as an upcoming WW2 documentary. In this episode , Mark talks about how he got started.