With every note they play and every song they write, brothers Randy and Benny Leverton work to stay true to their roots while still challenging themselves as musicians.

Randy and Benny, along with other members of The Leverton Brothers Band released a new song Monday called “Polecat Holler.”

“The song was named after a real place between Guntersville and Scottsboro,” Benny said.  “Bill Moon came up with the lyrics and we just put it to music.”

In March of last year, the band released a single called “Take Me Back To Alabam” which climbed into the top 20 on the New Music Weekly (NMW) Main Country Charts, and ranked #12 on the NMW Top Indie Chart.

The Leverton Brothers Band has been playing together for more than 20 years at venues all over the Southeast.

When describing their music, Randy and Benny say they have played all types throughout the years.

About their sound: “We are generally considered part of the country genre, but I would describe it more as Southern rock,” Randy said.  “What’s on country stations today is what used to be considered old Southern rock.”

Musicians in the making: “I started playing when I was 10-years-old, in 1962,” Benny said.  “I grew up listening to country music.  That’s all we had.  I graduated high school in ’71 and was already playing at skating rinks and parties.”

“I started playing in church in ’79,” Randy said.  “I was pretty big into gospel music at the time.”

Writing their own music: “Most ideas either come to you through real-life experiences or things that happen to you,” Benny said.

“Most of our stuff is based on things that have actually happened, either to us or our friends,” Randy said.

What they enjoy most about performing:  “I just enjoy the zone I get in when I play.  It takes me to a different place,” Benny said.  “It’s like a release, a stress reliever.  There’s also the satisfaction I get from the camaraderie of playing with the other guys.”

“I like performing our own material, and I enjoy the crowd’s response,” Randy said.  “I can relate to people that way.  When you play a song, the way it relates to people is tremendous.”

Musical influences: “Elvis, Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, The Monkees, The Beatles, The Eagles.  I guess those would have to be some of my early influences,” Benny said.

“I listened to whatever was on the radio, but I would have to say people like the Allman Brothers, The Eagles and Eric Clapton.  I don’t really have a favorite genre.  I like it all,” Randy said.

How they view changes in the music industry:  “The Internet has really changed the business of music because in the old days you had to have a record to be heard.  Now if you’ve got a way to upload your music on YouTube or MP3, your music can be heard all over the world,” Benny said.

“I think there will always be a demand for good music though,” Randy said.

If they were stranded on a desert island with one book, one CD and one meal, what would those be? “I would have to say the Bible, The Eagles’ Hell Freezes Over and chicken fingers,” Randy said.

“For me it would be the Bible, Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles and steak and baked potato,” Benny said.

Upcoming shows:

—March 16 -St. Clair County Airport for MAPS 50 year Veterans Appreciation Fly-In

—April 4-Songramp Annual Rampbash – 6:00 p.m., Nashville, Tenn.

—April 13-Smoke On The Falls – 11:30 a.m., Noccalula Falls Park Gadsden, Ala.