 The
Lost & Found was founded in 1973 by original members Allen Mills, Dempsey
Young, Gene Parker & Roger Handy. They were a group of guys "lost"
in other kinds and styles of music until they "found" each other. That’s
where the name came from. Allen and the fellow band members were asked
to do a local cable TV show. Before that the band had not played anywhere
too far from their own basement. To meet that deadline they decided to
use the name The Lost & Found until they could think of a better one.
That was in 1973, and now the name The Lost & Found is one of the most
respected and recognized names in bluegrass music. Their TV appearances
lead to wider attention among bluegrass music fans, which soon lead to
recording and traveling, both of which became a way of life.  This
would cause the groups first member change. After three recording projects
on the Outlet label Roger Handy would leave the band, being replaced by
Bubba Chandler. The group started getting national recognition in 1980
when they signed with Rebel Records in Roanoke, Virginia. Their first self
titled Rebel session The Lost & Found,
produced a song called Leftover Biscuits,
written by Harold Handy who is Roger’s brother. Leftover
Biscuits would be the start of what every
band must have to survive. Every band has to have a signature song or songs
that people will recognize.
Lost
& Found's next Rebel project, Endless
Highway, produced more of the same. Allen
Mills, Wild Mountain Flowers for Mary,
and Love of the Mountains,
still remain today what we all know as standards. It was during this period
that the group enjoyed a highly successful European tour, as well as the
States and Canada.
 The
middle 80’s would bring more member changes. Steve Wilson joined the group
on the guitar, and fiddle player Steve Thomas was added. The Suns
Gonna Shine project on Rebel was recorded
by these new members and is still one of the groups best sellers, with
songs like The Rabbit Song
and Whitehouse Blues.
The
Deal and Hymn
Time was recorded on Rebel by the same
band and would be original member Gene Parker’s last recordings with the
group. Since that time Allen and Dempsey have had players and singers
come and go but they have never lost their trademark sound or their widespread
fan base.
 The
newer Lost & Found recordings on the Rebel label such, as January
Rain, and
Ride
through the Country, as well as Just
Pickin on the Copper Creek record label,
are still fan favorites.
The
Lost & Found, Always entertaining and always there for the folks who
have always been there for them.
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