Biography:
Born of an American father and an English mother with two parents who had migrated to England from Ireland, the writer contains more Irish blood than any other, from both parents, although they had other things. Containing only one-eighth American-Indian, he still inherited an American-Indian last name which originated from the Choctaw Indians of Illinois, which fits more into the American frame than one would imagine. Also from his father's side is some German, French and British. His mother also had a tiny touch of European Spanish from when the Spanish Armada tried to invade England. A powerful storm gained way and destroyed most of the Spanish war vessels. A number of these wrecked ships washed ashore in Ireland. Instead of going back to Spain, a number of Spanish military men decided they would be happier staying in Ireland as free men, where they married and mixed. Religiously, his father(Russell Leftridge) was episcopalian and his mother(Francis Daily) was catholic. He himself has no denomination.
The author believes but is not entirely sure, that in the same way that the name Lee has two origins, one in England and one in China, so does the name Leftridge. Already mentioned is the American origin which came from the Choctaw Indians. The other origin, which originated separately, originated in England and appears to be more connected to the British royalty or nighthood. These two groups are entirely separate.
The author of this CD spent 25 straight days in a rehearsal studio with a 24 track Tascam Recorder, about 7 days the month before and another 7 days the month before that to make this CD and claims credit for all the instrumental playing on the CD; although he doesn't claim much glory for using a drum machine instead of drums. His mentors and playing partners at times were: 1. Stan Cole; younger brother of Don Cole from the Phoenix Area, who once had several hits on the radio. Stan Cole was once considered the number one guitarist in the state of Arizona by observers before he declined from physical and mental illness caused from asthma and the horrid medications that go with this ailment.; 2. Randy Pearce, who lived in the Glendale, AZ area and who had actually taught him more guitar than his superior Stan, since Stan lacked the patience to teach; 3. He also learned a little guitar from a Mike Dickey who also lived in the Glendale, AZ area; 4. Delmar Bradford; a rather bright man who moved back and forth quite frequently from Waterloo, Iowa to Glendale, AZ . Delmar Bradford never taught the author any guitar that he remembers; but he bought him his first chord book which may have been more important; since in reality, Dwayne Leftridge mostly taught himself. It was Randy Pearce however, who first taught him how to read the chord book. On guitar, Delmar Bradford was nearly as good as Stan Cole and was Stan's most favorite playing partner; 5. Larry Donaldson had also taught the writer of this CD a few simple songs, which helped get him started and also was the biggest influence of the people he knew to inspire him to write and believes that his songs "Larry Kells" and "I'M Writing This Song" could have been hits and believes that his song "Wanda" could have been a number one hit. These five influences are now deceased, as the author stands on his own, claiming that their influences as well as earlier people he knew who were not musicians but influenced his language, have handed to him a gifted music style, not as an Eric Clapton or a Jimmy Page or grand guitarist because he is not; but as a person who is willing to go his own way in writing and in music.
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