Paul Leim


Paul William Leim is a prominent Nashville-based drummer and recording session musician.

Biography

Leim was raised in Troup, Texas. He was inspired to take up drumming when he heard the Beatles at age 14. Robin Hood Brians, a recording studio owner, told Leim he played as if he had a metronome in his head, and invited Leim to play on recordings.
He moved to Los Angeles in his early 20s to further pursue his music career, and relocated to Nashville in 1988.
Leim has worked with John Williams, Doc Severinsen, The Berlin Orchestra, The London Symphony, The Boston Pops, Lionel Richie, Dolly Parton, Peter Cetera, Tanya Tucker, Randy Travis, Michael W. Smith, Reba McEntire, Kenny Rogers, PUR, Lorrie Morgan, Lyle Lovett, Amy Grant, Colin Raye, Montgomery Gentry, Lonestar, Faith Hill, Bob Seger, Billy Currington, Kenny Chesney, Shania Twain, and others.
Motion picture credits for Leim include The River, Tank, The Legend of DB Cooper, Dirty Dancing, Elvis and Me, Elvis, and Star Wars Return of the Jedi. Episodic television series and specials include 'Wonder Woman, Knight Rider, Dukes of Hazzard, Elvis, Fall Guy, Spencer for Hire, The Tonight Show, Growing Pains, Battlestar Glactica, Barbara Mandrel and the Mandrel Sisters, and Dolly. He was staff on The Grammy Awards, eight years on Dick Clark's American Music Awards, four years with the Academy of Country Music Awards, and the Grand Ole Opry.
Leim recorded with The Monkees on their 20th anniversary album, Then and Now, including "That was Then and This is Now".
Leim is an eight-time Academy of Country Music drummer of the year Nominee, multiple winner of Nashville Music Award, "Drummer/Percussionist", and Nashville Music Row Magazine's "Top 10 Music All Stars" award winner. Most recently he is winner of "Drum Magazine" Drummie of the Year, 4 Years in a Row and Modern Drummer Magazine "Reader's Poll", Drummer of the Year, for an Eighth year in a Row.

Touring

Leim has toured with:
Leim lives in Nashville with his wife Jeanie. He is a licensed pilot and has owned several aircraft.

Discography

1970–1984

This section presents a partial list of albums to which Leim has contributed.