Successful musicians typically get noticed like this; a band is formed. A manager is hired. The band performs at nightclubs, weddings or festivals.The manager solicits record companies and if luck is lurking, a record deal is negotiated. If the contract is substantial, big radio stations will bombard the public with the music, and MTV might do the same with videos.With even more luck, the band’s managers may negotiate a corporate sponsor to pave the way for concert tours.It’s a lot of business and not much fun.

Singer-songwriter Jeff Lehman understands the music world revolves around money. But, he also knows that it shouldn’t be. For Lehman, music is only about pleasing the ears of the listeners.Slowly, Lehman of Warren, is climbing the unsteady rungs of the musical ladder, taking a simple but unconventional path to getting his pop music played on the airwaves.Without a mega record label to back him, Lehman has achieved the unthinkable in the music world-he’s getting radio play by mailing his songs to radio stations on his own.Lehman’s music is being played on easy-listening radio stations and some country stations too, mostly in Canada. The reason: the DJs like the songs.

"I was shocked when I opened a letter one day and held a royalty check from a radio station that played my song 68 times," the 34-year old musician said.The song he is pushing is a love ballad called Don’t Look Back.It’s a romantic tune for fans of easy listening. It has the feel of his own musical influences-Elton John, Steve Winwood, Reo Speedwagon, Eric Carmen and The Beatles.

The song, he says, is timeless. He recorded it in 1987, but didn’t send it out until 1993.Prior to this song, he received radio time on Detroit AM stations with his song Hard Loving Truck Driving Man.Lehman, a Stevenson High School graduate who recently earned his MBA, has pure thoughts about music. He hopes to boost his career solely through his talent.

Currently he is completing an album, Lehman’s Terms, with his band Surprize. The sound is rock with a soul and funk edge. Lehman’s band also is playing to audiences at nightclubs.So busy has Lehman been with his computer career and recording, he has remained single. By day, he is a computer specialist at Ford Motor Co. For fun he plays golf and other sports, but his real love will always be in song.Writing music since childhood, Lehman said he always has made music in his head. And, whenever he feels a melody or lyric taking shape in his mind, he records it.

"You never know when you may get an idea and you don’t want to lose it," he said. "If I’m driving in my car and I think of a song, I grab my hand-held tape recorder and sing into it."To hone his singing voice, Lehman takes many private classes. He also plays keyboard.Once the CD is released, he plans to take an even more aggressive approach to pushing his own music. He wishes other local musicians would do the same.

"All musicians should know they can get at least some air play, they just got to try. If the big labels don’t want to sell my music, I will do it on my own."Lehman stills sees music through honest eyes.He thinks the best judges of a song aren’t the wealthy, corporate executives. Rather the best music critics are the people driving in their cars, searching the airwaves in hopes to find a good song.That’s who Lehman writes for.

Lehman’s band Surprize is performing every weekend throughout March and April at DJ’s in the city of Wayne. Call (810) 582-0657 for information on the performance or to purchase a copy of Lehman’s Terms.

Writer-Lana Mini

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