Meet Leann Vardiman-erving | Music Producer, Photographer, Amateur Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Leann Vardiman-erving and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi LeAnn, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My businesses kind of started themselves. My catering business came about out of necessity. My son was born with medical complications and I couldn’t work. My husband wasn’t making a lot of money at the time, so I started selling Sunday dinners and selling miniature pies to help supplement my income. And thus Mama SoSo’s Kitchen was born! My photography business started itself. I started taking and posting my photos and people started asking me what my prices were. I didn’t know because that wasn’t my plan. So this business is in reaction to demand for my services. I keep prices low because I have no overhead.. And if the job is outside of my scope, I have great referrals. My music business is all due to the late, great Beatnerd Hub. I made music using GarageBand on my iPhone. Hub recognized my raw talent and made me believe in myself. He was my first mentor in the music business. He passed away 2 years ago and I promised to never let him down. Since then I have produced several songs, recorded 2 albums and collaborated with several artists that I admire. It’s been a great ride so far.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am artistic in many ways, but for the purpose of this question I will focus on music. I have been singing all my life and added music producer to my skill set about 8 years ago.. It started as a way to pass time while caring for my husband who was ill at the time. Had no idea I was developing a skill that would have such a huge impact on my life. My husband was one f the best music producers I’ve ever known and I started to follow in his footsteps. I have gone on to work with great artists located right here in the DFW metroplex. I have a Blacksploitation themed project in the works. In April I released my first album, an EP entitled John and Lena’s baby. Songs on this album are very personal to me. All dedicated to special people in my life, including my mother and husband. Both of whom I lost to cancer within 2 years of each other. I have 2 projects set to release in September. It is a dream come true after the nightmare of losing 2 of the most important people in my life.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I would take her to all of the usual sites such as “the grassy knoll”,?Reunion Tower, Cowboy Stadium, and the famous Fort Worth Stockyards. Then we would hit up Bishop Arts District, We would visit local eateries and visit downtown Fort Worth’s SCAT lounge. I love the ambiance there.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This is dedicated to Beatnerd Hub. The man who believed in my music and in me until I believed it for myself. This is also dedicated to Original Soul who took me under his wings and continues to mentor me as a music producer. Shoutout to these wonderful men who make Johnna Lena a reality.

Facebook: LeAnn Vardiman Erving

Image Credits
LeAnn Vardiman Erving
Andre Erving