Uploaded October 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
In the latest episode of The Wood Life Podcast, Co-hosts Duston Moore & Colin Campbell sit down with rock ’n’ roll legend Chuck Leavell to discuss his musical roots, his illustrious career in the industry, and his lifelong passion for forestry. Hear the stories behind classics like “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica,” and how one phone call led to decades of collaboration with The Rolling Stones. Chuck also shares the inspiring story of his marriage to Rose Lane and how they built a forestry legacy together. Catch it all in this unforgettable conversation!
Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)
Early Life and Musical Beginnings (00:00:40)
Learning Piano and Forming The Misfitz (00:01:18)
First Gigs and TV Appearance (00:03:22)
Band Memories and Technology in the 60s (00:04:27)
Alabama Rivalry and Auburn Speech (00:05:36)
Developing Musical Skills and Left/Right Hand Independence (00:06:30)
Influences from Ian Stewart and Boogie Woogie (00:07:03)
Family Musical Influences and Ray Charles Concert (00:09:31)
Tuscaloosa to Muscle Shoals: The Music Scene (00:12:24)
Muscle Shoals Sound and Fame Studios (00:14:05)
Move to Macon and Capricorn Records (00:17:40)
Breaking into the Macon Scene (00:20:50)
Joining the Allman Brothers Band (00:21:36)
Recording "Brothers and Sisters" and "Jessica" (00:28:23)
Playing "Jessica" Live and Improvisation (00:31:36)
Meeting and Marrying Rose Lane (00:33:13)
Allman Brothers Breakup and Sea Level (00:35:29)
Origin of the Name "Sea Level" (00:38:14)
Transition to Land Stewardship and Forestry (00:39:57)
Getting the Call from the Rolling Stones (00:41:31)
Balancing Family, Forestry, and Touring (00:44:21)
Becoming a Forestry Advocate (00:47:41)
Conservation Work and Writing Books (00:57:36)
America’s Forests TV Show (01:03:30)
Advice for Aspiring Stewards (01:05:41)
Technology and Youth Engagement (01:08:27)
Wood-Mizer Sawmill and Building with Local Wood (01:11:00)
Sawmill Stories and Emotional Connection to Trees (01:15:09)
Current Projects and The Tree Man Documentary (01:17:48)
Charlane Plantation and Public Engagement (01:20:15)
Social Media and Online Presence (01:21:54)
Favorite Venues and Musical Memories (01:22:45)
Favorite Trees and Forests (01:23:46)
Favorite Songs and Musical Influences (01:25:09)
Closing Remarks and Farewell (01:28:18)
VISIT
woodmizer.com
SUBSCRIBE
YouTube: youtube.com/@woodmizer?sub_confirmation=1
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/woodmizer
Instagram: instagram.com/woodmizer
TikTok: tiktok.com/@woodmizerofficial
ABOUT WOOD-MIZER
Since 1982, Wood-Mizer has earned the reputation as a world-leading sawmill and woodworking equipment manufacturer with a strong legacy from its innovative sawmilling products. From Forest to Final Form®, Wood-Mizer offers an extensive line of sawmilling and woodworking equipment including portable sawmills, industrial sawmill systems, resaws, board edgers, wood kilns, slab flattening mills, planers, moulders, jointers, firewood processing equipment, pallet recycling equipment, logging tools, sawmill blades, and more for woodworking and forestry hobbyists and professionals all over the world. Visit woodmizer.com for more information or to contact your local representative.
In the latest episode of The Wood Life Podcast, Co-hosts Duston Moore & Colin Campbell sit down with rock ’n’ roll legend Chuck Leavell to discuss his musical roots, his illustrious career in the industry, and his lifelong passion for forestry. Hear the stories behind classics like “Ramblin’ Man” and “Jessica,” and how one phone call led to decades of collaboration with The Rolling Stones. Chuck also shares the inspiring story of his marriage to Rose Lane and how they built a forestry legacy together. Catch it all in this unforgettable conversation!
Welcome and Introduction (00:00:00)
Early Life and Musical Beginnings (00:00:40)
Learning Piano and Forming The Misfitz (00:01:18)
First Gigs and TV Appearance (00:03:22)
Band Memories and Technology in the 60s (00:04:27)
Alabama Rivalry and Auburn Speech (00:05:36)
Developing Musical Skills and Left/Right Hand Independence (00:06:30)
Influences from Ian Stewart and Boogie Woogie (00:07:03)
Family Musical Influences and Ray Charles Concert (00:09:31)
Tuscaloosa to Muscle Shoals: The Music Scene (00:12:24)
Muscle Shoals Sound and Fame Studios (00:14:05)
Move to Macon and Capricorn Records (00:17:40)
Breaking into the Macon Scene (00:20:50)
Joining the Allman Brothers Band (00:21:36)
Recording "Brothers and Sisters" and "Jessica" (00:28:23)
Playing "Jessica" Live and Improvisation (00:31:36)
Meeting and Marrying Rose Lane (00:33:13)
Allman Brothers Breakup and Sea Level (00:35:29)
Origin of the Name "Sea Level" (00:38:14)
Transition to Land Stewardship and Forestry (00:39:57)
Getting the Call from the Rolling Stones (00:41:31)
Balancing Family, Forestry, and Touring (00:44:21)
Becoming a Forestry Advocate (00:47:41)
Conservation Work and Writing Books (00:57:36)
America’s Forests TV Show (01:03:30)
Advice for Aspiring Stewards (01:05:41)
Technology and Youth Engagement (01:08:27)
Wood-Mizer Sawmill and Building with Local Wood (01:11:00)
Sawmill Stories and Emotional Connection to Trees (01:15:09)
Current Projects and The Tree Man Documentary (01:17:48)
Charlane Plantation and Public Engagement (01:20:15)
Social Media and Online Presence (01:21:54)
Favorite Venues and Musical Memories (01:22:45)
Favorite Trees and Forests (01:23:46)
Favorite Songs and Musical Influences (01:25:09)
Closing Remarks and Farewell (01:28:18)
VISIT
woodmizer.com
SUBSCRIBE
YouTube: youtube.com/@woodmizer?sub_confirmation=1
Facebook: facebook.com/groups/woodmizer
Instagram: instagram.com/woodmizer
TikTok: tiktok.com/@woodmizerofficial
ABOUT WOOD-MIZER
Since 1982, Wood-Mizer has earned the reputation as a world-leading sawmill and woodworking equipment manufacturer with a strong legacy from its innovative sawmilling products. From Forest to Final Form®, Wood-Mizer offers an extensive line of sawmilling and woodworking equipment including portable sawmills, industrial sawmill systems, resaws, board edgers, wood kilns, slab flattening mills, planers, moulders, jointers, firewood processing equipment, pallet recycling equipment, logging tools, sawmill blades, and more for woodworking and forestry hobbyists and professionals all over the world. Visit woodmizer.com for more information or to contact your local representative.
