Chuck Leavell has been the music director and keyboardist for the Rolling Stones since 1982 and has managed to balance his rich life in music with his interest in forestry. “It is my other life that I am absolutely equally passionate about,” says Leavell who admits that some of this passion for trees may be derived from circumstance. “Being a child of the 60s and the state of affairs during that era… there were problems that needed to be addressed.”
While Leavell is an advocate for the environment, he also maintains an understanding that many of the items that we use on a daily basis are made of wood, including Leavell’s preferred instrument – the piano. “The resource of wood gives us so many wonderful things… [but] we have to manage this, we have to conserve this,” says Leavell. “The best way to get this message out is with a television program.” Leavell’s show on PBS, America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell, follows the host throughout the country to explore various locales and issues.
Leavell’s journeys have brought him to Northern Minnesota twice. During both trips, he explored the woods while also making time for music – playing some songs with local band Big Wave Dave and the Ripples. “Being a musician… I wanted to make sure we had a musical component on every episode,” says Leavell. “I gotta give kudos to Big Wave Dave and the Ripples. They were just great to work with.” There is also an episode devoted to Northern Wisconsin which concludes with a musical collaboration with Wade Fernandez.
Leavell often shares a quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson; “In the woods we return to reason and faith.” Through it all, Leavell notes that the forest also provides people with a sense of well-being and can be helpful in supporting mental health. “That’s extremely important for all of us.”
