Born in Knoxville, Tennessee, Leadbetter began playing the resonator guitar at age 12.
In April 2011, Leadbetter was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a form of cancer that attacks the lymph nodes.
In March 2016, Leadbetter left the Dale Ann Bradley band to help form the bluegrass group Flashback.
His song "California Cottonfields" held the #1 spot on the National Bluegrass Chart for two consecutive months in 2005.
[2] After the shut down of the Gibson Acoustic division, Leadbetter moved over to The Recording King Company, and a new line of resonator guitars were released bearing his name in late 2018.