(Oakland, CA) Get your motor running and head out for the highway! Just in time for Summer rides and races, veteran gospel song stylist and recording artist Leonard Lothlen gives his  interpretation of a gospel classic. 

 

Strait Street Music Group and The Leonard Lothlen Project present  Leonard Lothlen's arrangement of the gospel blues traditional staple, "Don't Let The Devil Ride,"  a rousing horn-driven song set for the summer weekend ride . It is both steeped in tradition but also timely as it warns people to seek good over evil, choose right over wrong, and exercise kindness before malice. It challenges us to resist the temptations of sin and deadly forces that continue to plague our world.

 

Lothlen’s love for music started at the early age of 13. He began playing guitar during church services after finding inspiration musically from his father, who performed and preached on the streets of Oakland, California. Lothlen was also heavily influenced early on by the Gospel Quartet concerts that he attended, and listening to Motown, the Temptations, and The Delphonics. His music often reflects similar styles, which are evident in his rich harmonies and vocal arrangements. The rich mixture of influences inspired Lothlen to create his unique, powerful, and energetic sound, spanning many genres, including hard-hitting Gospel, Blues, Jazz, Contemporary Christian, Hip-Hop, Rock, R&B, and Urban Contemporary. Lothlen has spent years writing songs for himself and various recording artists, as he believes in the ubiquitous nature of music. In total, the GRAMMY®-nominated musician has published and written over 200 songs, recorded over ten albums, and played for various recording artists.