Les Leverett

American photographer. Born April 23, 1927 in Montgomery, Alabama. Died June 2, 2023 in Nashville, Tennessee. Worked for Associated Photographers in Nashville from 1952 until late 1956, when began working for Frederick’s Studio. In 1960, Leverett started the photographic department at The National Life Company, and became the staff photographer for the Grand Ole Opry. Leverett remained the staff photographer for the Grand Ole Opry, WSM-TV and WSM Radio until retiring in 1992. He also photographed the Johnny Cash Show, and did extensive freelance work with various publications, as well as record companies. In 2009, Leverett came out of retirement to serve as the official photographer for the weekly RFD-TV television program, "The Marty Stuart Show". Leverett’s photographs have been seen on hundreds of album covers, and his many honors include a Grammy for best album cover photography for Porter Wagoner’s 1966 album, "Confessions of a Broken Man", and Billboard’s Best Country Cover for Dolly Parton’s 1973 album, "Bubbling Over". Leverett was presented with the Distinguished Achievement Award by the International Bluegrass Music Association in 2001 and the first Distinguished Achievement Award by the California Bluegrass Association in 2006. Leverett’s works have been seen during numerous television shows, with over 80 photographs – some never seen before – appearing in Ken Burns’ eight-part, 16-hour PBS documentary film, "Country Music", and have been published internationally in various publications and books, including his own "Blue Moon of Kentucky: Bluegrass Chronicles of Les Leverett and American Music Legends" (Empire Publishing, Inc., October 1996). Leverett’s extensive archives, which include thousands of slides, prints, and negatives accompanied by meticulous notes, were acquired by The Opry in February, 2017.