Lukas Simpson

Lukas Simpson has been writing, performing and teaching folk music for over a decade. In his early twenties, he took classical guitar lessons with Dean Whachs, studied improvisation with Brendan Bayliss (Umphrey’s McGee) and played in a world fusion folk rock band. In Luke’s late twenties he picked up the mandolin and started taking lessons from Jay Lapp. Jay and Luke decided to start a bluegrass band together which eventually became Goldmine Pickers. Lukas has also studied guitar with Steve Doyle (Hoyle Brothers), Harry Gray and Chris Walz (Special Consensus) and mandolin with Colby Maddox (Special Consensus) all at the Old Town School of Folk Music in Chicago and clawhammer banjo with Adam Carter (Hard Travelin’ Boys, Goldmine Pickers, Lalo Cura).

Luke’s song “Conversation’s Free” was used by Nissan in a commercial aired in over 35 countries around the world in 2006 and his song “Barroom Waltz” was adapted for stage play “Danny and the Deep Blue Sea” directed by Eric Meyer that same year. In 2013 The Whitney M. Young Magnet School purchased the rights to perform his song "Stumblin' Lenny" and Luke facilitated the Philharmonic Orchestra in their arrangement and performed with them at their school and also at the Illinois Music Educators All-State Conference.

In 2012 Luke organized a festival in Northern Indiana called FolkyFishFest. FolkyFishFest is an event designed to bring people together to share talents and passions which inspire one another and celebrate friendship through folk music, fishing and culture and is now a growing annual festival.

Lukas is currently playing guitar, mandolin, bouzouki, banjo, harmonica, ukulele, singing and writing songs for Goldmine Pickers, Hard Travelin’ Boys, Luke & Allie, Eric Lambert and Friends, solo concerts and duo and trio shows. He is very excited about moving to St. Louis this fall and teaching here at the Folk School!