Chuck Leavell and his wife inherited 1,000 acres in Georgia; decades later, Charlane had grown to 4,000 acres with 70% still covered in forests

The walls at Charlane tell two very different stories. There are platinum albums, Rolling Stones posters and photographs of some of rock music’s biggest names. But among the musical history are deer mounts, turkey fans, bird dogs and books about forestry and quail.

For Chuck Leavell, the connection is not unusual. The keyboardist who has played with the Rolling Stones and Allman Brothers found another passion far from the stage: managing forests, improving wildlife habitat and giving Georgia quail a place to thrive, as per a report by Chuck Leavell's website.

What began with 1,000 acres inherited by Leavell and his wife, Rose Lane, eventually became a 4,000-acre property known as Charlane Woodlands & Preserve, with 70% of the land covered in forests.

How did a rock musician become a conservationist?

Leavell’s connection to the outdoors began in the early 1970s, when he was already becoming known as a musician.

After moving to Macon, Georgia, to work for Capricorn Records, Leavell eventually joined the Allman Brothers in 1972. He brought a keyboard into the band’s sound rather than replacing Duane Allman, remaining with the group until its breakup in 1976.

In 1981, he first played with the Rolling Stones. He would go on to become an important part of the band’s live and studio sound and continues to tour with the Stones as both keyboardist and musical director.

But his love for the outdoors had started much earlier.

Leavell married Rose Lane White, a Capricorn Records staff member whose family shared his interest in hunting. During a dove hunt with Rose Lane and her Uncle Baby Joe, Leavell had an unexpected introduction to quail.

“We were hunting doves, but a covey of quail busted from the brush and scared me to death. I said, ‘Joe! What was that?’ and Joe said, ‘…them birds, boy. You want to go bird huntin’?’”

The following day, Baby Joe arrived with two pointers. Soon afterward, he gave Leavell his first bird dog, Sam. That encounter sparked Leavell’s lasting interest in upland hunting and Gentleman Bob, his name for the bobwhite quail.

What happened when Leavell took responsibility for the land?

By 1981, Leavell and Rose Lane had inherited 1,000 acres from her grandmother. Rather than treating the property simply as a retreat, they began looking for ways to make productive use of the land.

That became the beginning of Charlane Woodlands & Preserve.

For Leavell, forestry also connected directly to the career that had made him famous.

“I kept thinking about where the instruments come from that I am so passionate about,” explained Leavell. “Wood. That’s where the instruments that gave me my lifestyle come from.”

He took a course in forest management to help care for Charlane. As he learned more about the land, his interest expanded into wildlife and conservation.

“I took a course to help manage Charlane, and along the way, the interest in wildlife and conservation also came about,” said Leavell. “The flora and fauna fascinated me, and I wanted to focus on quail management and habitat by learning the techniques of prescribed burns.”

His work eventually centered on forestry, timber production and wildlife management.

The property grew from its original 1,000 acres to 4,000 acres. About 70% of Charlane is covered in forests that include loblolly and longleaf pine. Habitat restoration efforts have also been linked in the supplied material with growing populations of quail, deer, turkeys and ducks.

Why are the forests so important to Leavell?

Leavell sees trees as providing far more than timber. They offer clean air and clean water, while also supplying materials for houses and musical instruments and creating food and cover for wildlife.

His approach has also earned recognition. The supplied material says Leavell has received 14 conservation awards, including National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in 1999, the Quail Unlimited Outstanding Habitat Award in 2000, and Georgia Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year in 1990 and 1998.

Charlane eventually became a place where Leavell could bring together his interests in forestry, wildlife and bird dogs.

In 2005, the couple built the main hunting lodge. The property can now accommodate up to 12 hunts a year. A portion of the property also includes the Bullard House, built in 1835, which had previously been used for small-scale bird hunts.

Leavell’s personal kennel contains 10 dogs, including pointers, German shorthaired pointers and drahthaars.

Out in the forest, prescribed burns have helped prevent the understory from becoming too thick, creating habitat for quail and other wildlife.

For Leavell, forestry is not simply something happening around him. He remains hands-on with the work, using equipment around the farm and taking part in forest management himself.

“It’s the music that has allowed me to purchase more land, and build this hunt lodge,” says Leavell. “It’s a wonderful feeling to have a tree thinning and know that the lumber is going to make somebody’s first home.”

What does Charlane mean to the rock legend?

After years spent performing before huge crowds, Leavell describes the energy he finds at Charlane very differently.

“When I come back here, the energy I get is from the land and the wildlife,” he says, gesturing to the woods around him. “It helps keep my head screwed on straight.”

Despite a career filled with famous bands, packed stadiums and major recordings, Leavell remains understated about his place in music.

“I’m just a piano player,” he says through a smirk.

At Charlane, however, the forest has become a defining part of his life. The musical memorabilia may fill the lodge, but the surrounding pines, wildlife and bird dogs reveal another side of the man behind the keyboard.

As he prepares to leave in his UTV with his cocker spaniel beside him, Leavell describes the place in deeply personal terms.

“This is my church,” he says before starting the engine and driving off. “I love to hear the sound of the wind through the pines and the crunch of leaves underfoot. I’m in church every day that I’m here.”

FAQs

What is Charlane?
Charlane Woodlands & Preserve is Leavell and Rose Lane’s Georgia property, which grew from 1,000 to 4,000 acres.

How much of Charlane is forested?
About 70% of the property is covered in forests, including loblolly and longleaf pine.