Faculty Profile: Edward Leonard

Ed Leonard is president of Daywind Music Group and vice president of New Day Christian Distributors. An attorney, Leonard also serves as general counsel for both companies. Daywind and New Day are leaders in the creation and distribution of Christian and Gospel Music as well as family-friendly toys, gifts, films, and books in partnership with major and independent companies. With over 35 artists and songwriters signed to their recording, publishing, and choral divisions, the companies produce a broad selection of music heard in churches across the country and the world. 

  

Leonard is active in advocating for the rights of creators and the protection of copyright and currently sits as chairman and president of the Christian Music Trade Association, co-chairman/advocacy of the Gospel Music Association, and president of the Christian Music Publishers Association, and also serves on the boards of the CMPA Action Fund, CCLI (advisory), and Southern Gospel Music Guild. Past positions of leadership include executive producer of the GMA Dove Awards, vice chairman of the Christian Booksellers Association, and board member of the Gospel Music Foundation. He is a member of the Recording Academy, the Southern Gospel Music Association, IBMA, and the American Music Association, and is a 2001 graduate of Leadership Music.

 

Leonard received his Juris Doctor as part of the charter class of the Belmont University College of Law, co-founding its Entertainment Law Society and earned a certificate in Entertainment Law.  He is a licensed attorney in the state of Tennessee and his law degree complements a BA in Finance from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA in Finance and International Business from the University of Chicago.  

 

Born in Fort Dix Army Hospital while his father served in the United States Air Force, Leonard is a long-time Nashvillian following a stint in corporate banking in Chicago.  He has served his community as a Trustee of Pope John Paul II High School and as a coach and organizer in youth lacrosse, soccer, and basketball. 

 

Recently, Leonard was selected to serve on the Dispute Resolution Committee of the MLC being put forward for the U.S. Copyright Office's consideration by the National Music Publishers Association, Nashville Songwriters Association International, and Songwriters of North America.