At the age of 17, Leming dropped out of high school and began traveling across the United States to play shows while living out of his car.
Leming continues to release music independently as Josiah and the Bonnevilles, and in 2024 completed his first ever sold out headlining tour.
A friend introduced him to the music of DC Talk, Coldplay and Travis, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams, and The Smiths at 15.
He dropped out of high school and left Morristown at 17, in an attempt to both make it as a musician and find a way to support his large and struggling family.
Leming played in clubs and coffeehouses throughout the Southeast while working at restaurants and temp agencies to pay for food and gas.
[3] Leming is the only contestant in the history of American Idol to not make the 'Top 24' yet still land a major label record deal.
[5] He was a contestant on Season 7 of American Idol; the producers were interested in his life as a traveling musician living out of his car.
"[6] Leming's controversial ouster is widely believed[7] to be one factor behind the return of wild cards to the selection process in Season 8.
In addition, many label representatives called him, and producers of The Ellen DeGeneres Show invited Leming to make a guest appearance, which he accepted.
Meanwhile, Leming recorded Come on Kid in London and Los Angeles, with the help of producers Jesse Owen Astin, Martin Terefe, Warren Huart and David Kosten.
"To Run" and "Arctic Outcry Wind", both songs from Angels Undercover EP, are featured with slightly different mixes on the album.
Speaking about the new music, Leming told Pepperdine University's Graphic publication,[19] "The content's kind of dark.
Capitalizing on his reclaimed popularity, Leming announced he was working on new music, which he continued to preview for contributors of his Patreon.
In November 2023, Josiah and the Bonnevilles sold out a three night run at 3rd and Lindsley in Nashville, Tennessee, which would catapult Leming into a North American-wide tour.
Josiah and the Bonnevilles made their debut at the Grand Ole Opry on April 13, 2024,[21] playing alongside country music stars such as Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood.
As of April 2024, Leming is back in his home studio in Nashville, Tennessee working on his follow-ups to Country Covers and Endurance.