Deuce’s Wild

GRIFTON — Some remember them as brothers who grew up working the counter of their father’s auto parts store while others remember them as the group who performed yearly at the Shad Festival.

But however it is you remember Don and Dean Sauls, now known as Deuce’s Wild, locals got another chance to see them in action last Saturday night as they performed at the Lenoir County Fair.

“We’re just glad to be back here to play again,” Dean said.

Don and Dean spent the morning before their show mingling with the locals at Grifton’s Auto Parts store, a store they know from the inside out.   It’s a store their father, Donald, still owns that provided both their first job and that contains memories used to write some of their original and best music.

Though the two now live close to Nashville, Tennessee and  are content with life in the big city, they still admit to missing the small town things Grifton has to offer, especially the loyal followers of fans. “We miss our crowds,” Dean said. “But we love where we’re at.”

The duo started off in 1980 with Silver Wings. After that group came to an end in 1994, they got together with some old friends and played in various groups.  Deuces Wild was formed in 2002 with Forrest, Toby and Nick. Two of the guys were old partners Don had played with before.

“We finally lucked out and got a good group of guys,” Don said.

Being in the music business is just like most imagine it to be, especially if you live in or close to Nashville.

Dean boasts a long list of well-known country artists he has met and said that sometimes he gets to play with them. Don’s list is similar. Tennessee, the two say, is full of stars and has even more who are working to be stars. Don and Dean aren’t among either of the above two but are content with where they are and say as long as they are making music, they are happy.

“We’re just enjoying it,” Dean said.

And though the two don’t get to make it home as often as they’d like, future plans hint at the possibility of seeing the two play for local festivals again, something citizens of Grifton probably won’t mind at all.

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