Don de Leaumont (Americana/Folk/Dark Folk)

Don de Leaumont (Solo)
1995 – Present

Originally the bassist/founder/songwriter for Atlanta punk/metal band Rachael’s Dead, Don de Leaumont found himself at a crossroads of sorts in 1994. The musical climate was changing and he was beginning feel lost both personally and creatively. Don’s life would soon change in 1995 after discovering the music of the Grateful Dead, Dave Matthews Band, and the iconic folk groups of the ‘60s folk music scene such as Crosby, Stills & Nash, Joni Mitchel, & Joan Baez to name a few.

Inspired and moved by the art of storytelling through songs, Don would trade his bass guitar and huge, louder that life amplifier for a Takimine acoustic guitar and a Folgers coffee can tip jar. The songs came naturally and as time progressed, so did his art of song crafting.

Since then, Don de Leaumont has never put his guitar down and continues to grow and release new music. Over the years, Don has played everywhere from the smallest basement coffee shop to a 2,000 seat theater and all in between. Don has shared the stage with acts such as Amigo the Devil, Rusted Root vocalist Mike Glibecki, and along with his band Collins Drive was peronally invited by Drivin’ N’ Cryin’ singer/songwriter Kevn Kinney to be a part of his annual residence at Atlanta’s City Winery.

In 2024, Don relocated to the Grand Strand area of South Carolina where at 50 years old he turns the page to begin yet another new chapter. “Change is scary and I never dealt with change very well in my life,” says Don. “But this time around, at 50, change is cool. It’s a reminder that staying in one place too long can one complacent and I was starting to feel more trapped than rooted. I still have plenty of growing to do and I’m not even close to being done. Miles to go before I sleep.”

PRESS:

September 23, 2004 – The Wilmington Seahawk

August, 2005 – Encore Music Reviews

November, 2005 – Encore Music Reviews

July, 2007 – The Daily Tar Hell (Chapel Hill, NC)

July 11, 2012 – Performer Magazine

January, 2017 – Real Rock N’ Roll

WITH COLLINS DRIVE: