Texas-born singer-songwriter Chuck Leah has released “Coyote,” the first single from his upcoming eighth studio album, A Necessary Evil.
Co-produced by Leah and Grammy-winning musician Larry Campbell, whose credits include work with Bob Dylan and Levon Helm, “Coyote” draws on two events in Leah’s life separated by years: an unusual encounter with a coyote and a later medical crisis that nearly killed him.
The song’s origins date to a late-night visit Leah made to a Mississippi crossroads associated with blues musician Robert Johnson and the legend that Johnson made a deal with the Devil. While there with his guitar, Leah encountered a solitary coyote that eventually disappeared.
Years later, Leah developed a severe MRSA infection and life-threatening sepsis after an injury in a Hollywood hotel room. He spent 57 days hospitalized and underwent seven surgeries and four blood transfusions. During his recovery, Leah said the coyote returned in fever dreams, appearing outside his hospital room.
That experience became part of the foundation for A Necessary Evil, an album Leah describes as focused on survival, resilience and examining the choices made over a lifetime.
“Coyote” was recorded live without Auto-Tune, click tracks, digital edits or digital processing. The recording features Campbell along with drummer Aaron Sterling, keyboardist Eric Finland and guitarist Scott Eric Olivier.
Sessions for the album took place at Power Station New England in Connecticut, Blackbird Studio 1 in Nashville and Les Paul’s historic Hollywood studio. Additional contributors include Shawn Camp and Greg Leisz.
Outside music, the 53-year-old Leah also works as a museum paleontologist.
“Coyote” is available now on major streaming platforms. A Necessary Evil is scheduled for release later in 2026.
www.chuckleah.com
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