Considered by some musicians as one of the most versatile banjo and guitar players in Canada, Don plays from Bach to Rock. Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, he started singing at the age of 6, in school and at the family gatherings, with his older cousin Harold Wood on piano. Around age 9 he started playing guitar with neighborhood friends and later with his father Fred who played the octophone [8 strings, like a 4 string guitar, double stringed]. Fred was a pioneer radio entertainer and had an early radio show on CFCY Charlottetown later taken over by Don Messer and his Islanders. At 15 the family moved to Toronto. Don started jamming, learning from Les Paul records and busking the streets.
At age 17 he was playing lead guitar with the Wilf Carter show [later Smilin' Earnie Lindell], travelling across Canada, from Ontario to the Alaska Highway.
    He started playing the 5-string banjo but was hired as lead guitarist on CHCH-TV, Channel 11, Hamilton, Ontario "Jamboree" show and CHML Radio "Main Street Jamboree" where he worked with and was greatly influenced by tenor banjo virtuoso, Maurice Bolyer and violinist Wally Traggott. In his twenties he started singing again and later studied voice with Charles Jordan.   Other musical influences include: Classical guitarists: Andreas Segovia, Christopher Parkening and John Williams. 5-String Banjo soloists: Earl Scruggs, Bill Keith, Bella Fleck, Don Reno and Eric Weisberg. Finger style guitarists: Merle Travis, Chet Atkins. Jazz guitarists: Django Reinhardt, Tal Farlow, Barney Kessel, Ed Bickert, Johnny Smith and the Beadles George Harrison. Other Jazz artists: Ray Brown, Oscar Peterson, Antonio Carlos Jobim and singers: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett. Folk singers: James Taylor, Jim Croce, Harry Chapin, John Allan Cameron, Pete Seeger, the Weavers and many others.

Instruction and Studies:
 Classic guitar- Eli Kassner, RCM.  Theory and harmony- Frank Gay, Art Snider, Tony Bradan and Hank Monis.  Voice- Charles Jordan
 Banjo: 5-String, Tenor, Plectrum- Studies of technique from recordings, books and observation of the great players I had the
  good fortune to work with or see in person especially when there was a lot of jams and steady club work every night.

Don L was banjo and guitar soloist with Folk / Dixie band, the New York City "Village Stompers" [world wide hit Washington Square] [band track].
They were featured on ABC-TV's Jimmy Dean show (2xs) and Mike Douglas show (2xs), Jazz and Show clubs such as: the Sahara, Las Vegas; Metropole, New York City; London House, Chicago; Theatrical Club, Cleveland; Harvey's, Lake Tahoe, Nevada; Colonial, Toronto. Ravinia Concert Bowl, Chicago, Ohio State Fair and Steel Pier, Atlantic City.

He formed a Bluegrass and Folk band called Truckin' which had many successful engagements at the El Mocambo, Nag's Head, the Golden Nuggett and many other clubs in the Greater Toronto and surrounding area. [band track].
Later, he was Tenor banjo lead & soloist with Dermott Dunn and Mick Croly [from Dublin]. Local hit record in Canada and in Ireland; "Mursheen Durkin", RCA records.

As studio musician Don has done 650+ shows on private television plus more than 150 network TV shows, such as: CTV network's "Grand Old Country" (5-String Banjo, backup band, 24 shows), appearing with Ronnie Prophet, Dolly Parton, Mickey Gilley, Charlie Pride, Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer and many others; CBC-TV network's "Bob MacLean Show" (featured vocal / guitar);
CTV's "Diamond Lil Show" (backup: featured tenor banjo, 39 shows); CBC-TV Country Hoedown (lead guitar, backup: 78 shows) with Gordon Lightfoot, Billy Van, Gordie Tapp, Maurice Bolyer, King Ganam, Tommy Common, The Hames Sisters and Tommy Hunter.

He plays seven string instruments, is a very versatile, competent musician and patient teacher for those students who really want to learn, and has a vocal and instrumental Jazz trio, quartet or quintet for engagements in the GTA [Greater Toronto Area].

Don has also produced and played guitar and solo tenor banjo on the CD, "Star of the County Down" by Annie McLean, featuring her most popular Irish and Scottish songs that were requested at Dooley's Show club in Toronto. CLICK ON Star of the County Down  

Robert J. Allen, freelance music writer

"The ultimate studio musician". Tom Shilstra: owner and producer, Maple Records
    [Don: backup on record sessions: 5-string banjo, lead guitar and bass guitar]
"His licks made the show".  Brian McKay: lead actor, Stage West, Mississauga.
    [Don: backup on lead guitar and simulated steel guitar]        
"The poet of the banjo".  Duke Niles: owner and producer Village Stompers, New York City
    [Don: rhythm and featured soloist on tenor banjo and guitar]
"The best guitarist I ever heard".  Jeff Healy: blues guitarist, vocalist, bandleader, recording star, Toronto