Calvin Leavy facts for kids

Calvin Leavy (born April 20, 1940 – died June 6, 2010) was an American singer and guitarist. He played soul-blues and electric blues music. In 1970, he had a very popular song called "Cummins Prison Farm." It reached number 40 on the US Billboard R&B music chart. The song stayed on the chart for five weeks. It was also the number one song on a radio station in Memphis, Tennessee, called WDIA.

About Calvin Leavy

Calvin James Leavy was born in Scott, Pulaski County, Arkansas. He was the youngest of fifteen children. When he was a child, he sang in his church choir. As a teenager, he sang with different gospel groups in Little Rock.

Starting His Music Career

In 1954, Calvin Leavy started a band called the Leavy Brothers Band. They became very popular in their local area. Later, the band moved to Fresno, California. By the end of 1968, they moved back to Little Rock. There, they played music in local clubs.

Because of their performances, Leavy got a chance to record music. He recorded at E&M Studios in Little Rock. The band recorded a song called "Tennessee Waltz." They also recorded "Cummins Prison Farm." This song was written by Bill Cole. Leavy added more words to the song. He used stories from one of his brothers who had been in prison.

His Big Hit Song

The song "Cummins Prison Farm" was first released by Soul Beat Records. Then, Blue Fox Records helped share it across the country. This was the first song Blue Fox Records ever released. "Cummins Prison Farm" became a big hit. It reached number 40 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song was recorded in just one take. It was one of 27 blues songs that made it onto the R&B chart in 1970.

Later Recordings and Performances

Calvin Leavy recorded more songs for other record labels. These included Aquarian, Soul Beat, Downtown, and Messenger Records. Some of his other songs were "Nothing but Your Love" and "Give Me a Love (That I Can Feel)." He also recorded "Goin’ to the Dogs Pt. 1."

The band also made some recordings for a special project. These recordings are kept at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. In 1977, they performed at the Beale Street Music Festival. After this, the Leavy Brothers Band broke up.

Calvin Leavy then formed a new band called Calvin Leavy and the Professionals. This new band also stayed popular in their local area. They recorded songs like "Is It Worth All (That I'm Going Through)" and "Big Four." They also recorded "What Kind of Love" and "Free from Cummins Prison Farm." Another song was "If Life Last Luck Is Bound to Change."

Calvin Leavy did not have another national hit song. However, he had many loyal fans in the South. His records were often played on local jukeboxes.

Cummins Prison, which inspired Leavy's hit song.

Later Life

In 1991, Calvin Leavy faced legal issues. He was sentenced to a long time in prison. He began his time at Cummins Prison. By 2004, his sentence was changed.

Calvin Leavy passed away in June 2010. He was 70 years old. He died at the Jefferson Regional Medical Center in Pine Bluff, Arkansas.

Music Albums

Calvin Leavy's music has been released on compilation albums. These albums bring together many of his songs.

Compilation Albums

See also

• List of electric blues musicians
• List of soul-blues musicians