Meet Whiskey South Forty

The members of Whiskey South Forty each have a performing career going back over 25 years, but in 2021 have united to form this group.

Their various talents allow them to play the grungy sounds of Pearl Jam and Alice in Chains, to the funk of Red Hot Chili Peppers, shred it with Eddie Van Halen and wrap it up with the warm tones and rich harmonies of Collective Soul.

Members

Who’s Who

Steve Hewitt

Lead Vocals

A top executive by day and a rock god by night, he began his journey to superstardom by singing in the shower as a young boy. Steve's experience as a rocker has been a roller coaster of a ride.

After being the lead singer of one of the top 50 best unsigned bands in the mid 90's, the dream fizzled out and he took a different career path and started a family. Only able to hone his craft through the years singing in the car and at occasional Karaoke bars, reuniting with the Band after 20+ years has renewed his passion to play live on stage.

Steve has an uncanny ability to produce a sound resembling the artist he is covering, yet make each performance his own and his ability to engage with the crowd brings rave reviews. He has a great singing range and is able to cover everything from David Lee Roth, to Anthony Kiedis, to Thom Yorke with Radiohead. He is also known to hold his own with Meatloaf if you ask him right.

Steve has always felt his true calling was singing and performing. His influences are Scott Weiland with STP, Eddie Vedder with Pearljam, Lenny Kravitz, and Ed Roland of Collective Soul.

Bill Lewton

Lead Guitar

He has been playing guitar since 1988 and has been in several bands over the yeras including Thanatos (with Steve and Ryan,) out of Pratt, KS, Verbal Warning (with Steve and Willie,) out of Hays, KS and Maiden China out of Hutchinson, KS.

Bill has always had a love for music and performing for people. In addition to guitar he was actively involved in vocal music and instrumental music in high school and college. He played several brass instruments in high school and college. He also dabbles with bass, piano and drums.

Bill took a break from playing after his first daughter was born in 2001. Since then he has been concentrating on his career and family, while playing guitar on his own at home. Now that his girls are grown the "playing live" bug bit him hard last year and he tried to get several different things going to no avail. He was about to give it up, but first thought he would try one more time and called his old bandmates to see if they would be interested, and Whiskey South Forty was born.

Bill's roots are in classic rock, hard rock, and heavy metal from the 70's, 80's and 90's. His main influence is Eddie Van Halen, followed by Randy Rhoads, Neal Schon, Yngwie Malmsteen, Zakk Wylde, Steve Vai, Joe Satriani, Gary Moore and John Sykes

David Lake

Drums

David Lake, also known as D-Grind, hails from Kansas and currently calls Derby home.

Among his earlier musical endeavors are bands like The Trots, Love Shovel, Station Wagon, The Davey Jones Experience, and Union Burger. In recent years, he's expanded his musical horizons by collaborating with artists across the country, both in live performances and remotely.

David's passion for music and art extends to his YouTube Channel, D-Grind Request Line, where he shares his unique blend of humor, candor, and musical connections.

Recent projects include Douglass Creek, Droppin' Bombs, The Llew Brown Band, and now Whiskey South Forty, all contributing to his diverse musical journey.

Alongside his music, David takes pride in being a devoted father of two and a husband of 23 years.

Willie Novotny

Bass, Backing Vocals

Willie grew up playing piano and several different brass instruments from the age of five, and started teaching himself guitar when he was 14 because he realized that girls go crazy over boys who play guitar. He didn't play bass. In fact, he didn't even like the bass, but in 1995 Bill called and asked if he wanted to learn how to play bass and be in a band, so he learned bass. Over the next two years life was a dream as he, Bill and Steve and some other guys lived out of a 1975 Chevy Van with wall-to-wall shag carpet on the road playing in bars across the state.

After things ended with the band Willie pursued family and a career and started a business, but all-the-while kept practicing in his basement, hoping for the opportunity to play again some day. That call came in 2021 and Whiskey South Forty was born.

Over the years, Willie has fallen in love with the bass, understanding that the bass is not a guitar. It is a rhythm instrument. You don't play the bass, you feel it, and its just as important to know when to play as to know when not to play.