LIVINGSTON, NJ - Lenny Meranus is not your typical life insurance salesman. While at 45, he is relatively new to the business, having worked in the field for just over four years, the Livingston native brings with him a world of experience in sales and marketing that is unique. Add to the mix Lenny’s band, Livingston Leo, which is taking on a life of its own, and Lenny Meranus is clearly enjoying life.
A graduate of the Livingston High School Class of 1982, Lenny attended Mitchell College in New London, Connecticut before working for Minidata, a payroll services company that competed with ADP and was later sold and made the owners rich happy old men. Lenny was the company’s leading salesman.
When the company was sold, Lenny began to follow his true passion – music. He booked gigs for artists including blues legend Popa Chubby. Through these relationships, he met and became friends with several local and famous entertainers. Lenny most of all treasures the friendships he has developed with the Neville Brothers, Los Lobos and Warren Haynes.
He helped book tours for Popa Chubby and was able to secure a national tour for him and make him into a national figure. Popa Chubby was signed by Epic Records and Lenny and Popa Chubby had the opportunity to work with legendary producer Tom Dowd, who produced Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, the Allman Brothers, and many more.
While living in Hoboken in the early ’90’s Lenny played guitar for the Legendary Wild Ensemble based in Hoboken. The band wrote a song about him because he was the kid from the suburbs in the band while all of the rest of the band were from urban areas – they called the song "Livingston Leo". The band’s drummer was Chris Butler, who is famous for his songs "I Know What Boys Like" and "Christmas Wrappings."
The band went dormant for a while and Lenny then began recording his own songs and booking gigs keeping the name "Livingston Leo". "I thought it was a great blues name," Lenny told The Alternative Press.
Lenny soon left the employ of Popa Chubby and went on the road with several different bands including Los Lobos. He traveled all over the country with Los Lobos and throughout this time, made connections and friendships with many including Warren Haynes of the Allman Brothers Band. During this time, he also saw how Los Lobos members were all married and loved going home to their families. Lenny was single at the time. However, that soon changed when he met his wife backstage at a Gov’t Mule concert.
Lenny then joined Acorn Financial Services advising business owners and families, which he has been doing for the past four plus years. "It is very similar to what I did in the entertainment business, I build advisor teams and manage families," Lenny told The Alternative Press.
Meanwhile, his band, Livingston Leo, lives on and concentrates on accessible love songs, songs about barbeque, and other songs based on Lenny’s real life experiences. "Times are rough out there, everybody is looking for an outlet, a way to have some fun, I want people to have fun when they hear my music," Lenny told The Alternative Press.
Livingston Leo’s band includes:
drummer, Pete Abazia, a senior at Montclair State,
bass player, Joe Wallace, who is the Hillsborough High School band leader, and
Hammond Organ wizard Brian Charette.
You can catch Livingston Leo and his band November 6th at Bernie’s Hillside Lounge in Chester, NJ, and November 12th at Mo Fiddles in Livingston Town Center. Livingston Leo has also been invited by Warren Haynes to his annual "Christmas Jam" Festival in Asheville North Carolina, December 11th and 12th.