Don Lerdal began his musical journey as a guitarist around 1967, playing with neighborhood friends and classmates at Whittier Junior High School in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. His first band, “Conspiracy,” played its first paid gig at the Baltic High School “Sweethearts Dance” in 1968, earning $55.

Several other bands followed, and while attending Lincoln High School, Don joined students from two other Sioux Falls schools to form the “Sterling Show Band.” Sterling was an eight-piece show band that toured throughout the Upper Midwest. Don later performed with well-known Sioux Falls bands “Starchild” and “The Apostles.”

In 1976, Don moved to Rapid City, South Dakota, where he performed with “Cartune,” “Bold Lightning,” and “Ivory.” In the early 1980s, he and his wife, Darla, formed the popular oldies rock band “DD & the Fayrohs.” The Fayrohs performed primarily in the Black Hills region for more than 30 years. In 2009, Don joined the “Abbey Road Band” a Beatles tribute band that played Fairs, Corporate Events and Concert Tours all around the Upper Midwest States.

Guitars have always been a passion for Don, and in 1986 he opened his first guitar shop in downtown Rapid City. He provided guitars and music equipment to both beginners and professionals, specializing in vintage instruments. Don’s Guitar & Music continues to serve customers worldwide with a focus on vintage gear.

In the late 1990s, Don founded “Dakota Backline,” becoming a trusted provider of rental musical equipment for concerts, fairs, casinos, and festivals across the Upper Midwest.

Don served on many civic arts and music boards over the past 30 years. Don is also a co-founder of the “DaCoda Instrument Drive.” For the past 20 years, he has helped provide donated and refurbished instruments to underserved beginning students in the Rapid City school music program.

Don has been previously inducted into the SD R&R Hall of Fame four times. He was also awarded the Rushmore Honors Award in Rapid City for Achievement in the arts in 2008.

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