Live Music Friday: Eric Leadbetter

Eric Leadbetter was born in Bozeman, Montana, spending his childhood on his family’s ranch in Ennis and snowboarding at Bridger Bowl. His musical journey began in 2003 with the release of his first solo album, Eric’s Cosmic Kitchen.

In 2004, Eric moved to Boulder, Colorado, where he began performing in local coffee shops and small bars. By 2006 he had formed the rock ’n’ roll band Jive Coulis with high school friends. Touring more than 20 states in a veggie-oil-powered school bus named Sharleena, the band recorded four all-original albums featuring Eric’s songwriting, along with two tracks from bassist Jordan Mack.

After Jive Coulis disbanded in 2017, Leadbetter Band emerged—releasing their first album in 2019 and preparing their second album, Howl, set for a summer 2021 debut.

Now based in Central Oregon, Eric performs constantly across the Pacific Northwest—solo, duo, and with the full band—while teaching guitar and songwriting. Despite the challenges of 2020 and beyond, Eric and his wife Briana celebrated the birth of their son, Silas, and Eric continued evolving his craft, finding new ways to bring music to both local audiences and online communities.

His sound is unmistakably original, shaped by ghostly echoes of the golden ages of rock, inspired by his vast classic vinyl collection. Join Currents at Riverhouse Lodge for a live performance from one of the region’s most distinctive and passionate musicians.