Lou Derr: Singer/Songwriter
2006-07 LA Music Awards Winner

Lou Derr was born at Travis Air Force Base in Northern California. From the time he could reach the keyboard on the old family upright Lou has been playing music. Lou wrote his first song when he was 14. Traditional Country Music at heart, mixed with the sounds of the great Southern Rock bands of the 70s, Lou has come up with a unique sound that has put him on stage with legends like Marshall Tucker Band, Waylon Jennings and Charlie Daniels just to name a few. Lou was lucky enough at the age of 15-18 to work at "The Factory" in Berkeley Ca. For CCR. Lou set up equipment and other duties for the #1 band in the world at the time. "It was a life changing experience working every day with my Hero John Fogerty." Lou even owned John's famous red "ric" guitar. It now sits in Memphis at the Hard Rock Cafe as the center piece of the CCR display where it belongs. Lou has performed several opening shows at the #1 venue in the U.S. under 5000 seats, Konocti Harbor Resort & Spa. He has opened for almost every Top Country headliner that has come through Lake County at one time or another. At age14 Lou stepped up on to his first stage to do a live radio show in the Bay Area. It was an experience Lou would never forget. The rush of the crowd clapping to Haggard’s hit Corina, Corina was all it took for Lou to be hooked on performing live. Lou signed his first record deal in the 9th grade with a 1 hit record company out of Vallejo, Ca. Lou recorded two singles that played on the local radio stations through out the Bay Area and sold the 45s out of the back of his van. Lou learned all he could over a 3 year period with the guys in CCR. " I learned every Fogerty lick note for note". Lou recorded 2 songs at Hyde St. Studios where CCR recorded all their albums. "Studio D is where all the Fogerty magic was put on tape." At the age of 19 Lou moved to Lake County California and put together several bands including 3 Way Split a trio club band and 90 Proof a 4 piece Club and Fair band. In 1985 The Bootleg Band was born, billed as Lou Derr & Bootleg now. 1986 was a big year for Lou taking the honors at the Saddle Rack in San Jose, Ca. at the Marlboro Country Talent Roundup. The following years he was regional first in the Wrangler Star search 2 years straight. Then a DOD Tour took Lou all over the world for a while. His style of "Rockin' Country" could best be summed up like if CCR decided to play Country Music. Country with a Rockin' beat. Lou Derr & Bootleg have performed coast to coast and over seas on D.O.D. tours as well as performed on TV Shows in Nashville. Lou’s self-penned album Santa-Fe was released in 1991 with 10 original songs. Later a 5 song video was produced as a booking tool for Lou. Several record deal offers came through during the mid 90's that Lou passed on. Writing and waiting for the right deal to come through. No More waiting, we are going after it again! Lou has performed at several Summer Concert series in different towns and was co-originator of The Summer Concert Series in Lakeport, Ca. LD&B have hit it up again and are in the middle of their Summer tour of Northern California, playing Rodeos, Casinos and Wineries, BBQ's you name it. The reviews have been great.

Dates are being booked into next year. Hopefully a sponsor will come along so a new CD can be put together. Road Show Records out of Muskogee, Ok is releasing "Country Girl Aug. 1, 2008, Up until now Lou has done all the self promotion for himself and the band.
Lou has put together the finest and most seasoned players in the area. The Band is "Hot" and the "Sound" is "Rockin' Country"! Call your radio station and request “Santa Fe”. If they don’t have it they can go to www.airplaydirect.com/music/bands/3294 They can download Broadcast Quality tracks there!
Keep an Ear Out for Lou Derr & Bootleg. For more info go to the official website www.louderrbootleg.com or www.myspace.com/louderrbootleg.