Don Lewis
Don Lewis is a professional multi-instrumental musician from Asheville, NC. He plays Fiddle, Banjo, Mandolin, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Harmonica, and Vocals as well as Vocal harmony. He is the brother of Martin Lewis and the son of Ralph Lewis.
Bio
Don Lewis started his music career at age 5, first playing the mandolin then graduating to the fiddle by age 10. According to Don, Martin was the intended fiddler, but it was Don who was destined to master this instrument. The brothers' first band was Ralph Lewis Family and Friends, formed when they “hired” Ralph away from Bill Monroe. Actually, Ralph freely admits that he left Bill Monroe and international fame as one of The Bluegrass Boys in order to stay home with his family.
After years of performing with brother Martin at venues throughout the Southeast, in the 1990s Don toured Europe with The Shady Grove Band and played with The Red Clay Ramblers on Broadway. His talent and musical versatility caught the attention of Michael Bogdanov, legendary British director of Shakespeare plays. Bogdanov hired Don and fellow Red Clay Rambler Jack Herrick to compose and perform the score for the BBC Wales film, A Light on the Hill (2000).
Some of Don's career highlights include performing with Rhonda Vincent at the Grand Ole Opry, appearances on Hee Haw in the 1980s, and recording credits with Warren Haynes, Doc Watson, The Red Clay Ramblers, The Shady Grove Band, Roy Clark, and Ronnie Milsap.
On stage, Don transitions effortlessly between Mandolin and Fiddle, pouring heart and soul into the music, and taking the audience on his wild ride. His signature piece, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by The Charlie Daniels Band tells the well-known story with new intensity.
Both Martin and Don choose to stay close to their Western North Carolina home, similar to the choice their father made at the height of his career with Bill Monroe to put family first. Don had a decisive moment on the road in a hotel room when he was channel-surfing and realized that his father and his brother were able to work when and where they wanted and have a good life. Don left the band he was touring with at the time and returned home to achieve a different level of fame as one of the Sons of Ralph.[1] He considers Sons of Ralph the best band he's ever play with.