We had the good fortune of connecting with Leo Valladares and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Leo, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I’m originally from the plains of Nebraska, raised in the country, in a family of 5, my mom and dad plus my brother and sister. We were very poor but looking back at that time I didn’t know it. My mom and dad were very self-driven to improve themselves and the family. The first job I had was working in the fields, I was taught to work and not to seek or expect handouts. During that period in my life I decided that I didn’t like doing manual labor for a career and that I would better myself and get an education. My mom an dad were my examples, my father was a foreman/manager for one of the wealth ranchers n the area and my mom was an asst. manager for a retail store. Neither one had an education and both were autodidactic

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I am now semi-retired, and I’ve had 3 areas of interest that I wanted to be involved in, music, law and missionary work. I’ve had the opportunity to do all three quite consequently. My music was placed on the back burner, and I put my efforts into working to support a family and at the same time going to college. Because of my college studies in Criminal Justice, I got a job with a state agency conducting civil rights investigations, which led to the agency sending me to law school and to conduct federal investigations. During this period with the agency, I met a man who introduced me to Christianity and what it says is the purpose in life and how one should live. I eventually quit my job and went out for a year to do missionary work. The missionary work was not easy, I wasn’t getting paid to do it so I had a part-time job plus I had my son with me and I had him in grade school. I overcame the challenges by taking care of my responsibilities and my Christian faith. I eventually got remarried (we did missionary work together), we had a son and moved to Seattle WA., where I worked for another Civil Rights agency and where I met a man who had a recording studio. So, late in life I dug up some old lyrics and ideas and started to put them to music and to my surprise people liked them. I’ve completed 3 albums now and may do a fourth. Things aren’t always easy but with a little bit of faith/believing and some persistent effort one can reach their goals.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The first thing I would do is take my friend on a scenic drive around town and show my friend what’s available. I’d then go to one of the waterfront cafes and have lunch outside or something. I’d also include a ferry boat ride to one of the nearby islands, stay the night and also attend one of the native American fish festivals.. We could finish the week by attending a jazz nightclub.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The first person who comes to mind is my mother, as a teen she would always encourage me and believe in me. As an adult its my wife Carolyn, who has done so much for me to love and support me in my goals and endeavors. After that it would be my church, The Way International which has taught me how to think straight and to be positive and how to overcome in difficult times.

Website: musicbyleov.com

Instagram: instagram.com/musicbyleov/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/musicbyleov

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/musicbyleov

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@musicbyleov

Image Credits
Photos by Carolyn Valladares Art work by Leo V

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