A locally born singer is using songwriting and the stories of his life to try to make it big in the country music scene.

One of those songs celebrates his little sister, her love of horses and her deep involvement with the Routt County Fair. Guerin Lewis, who now lives in Nashville, Tennessee, returned to the Yampa Valley to perform at the Routt County Fair on Saturday, marking the second year Guerin has played at the event.

Born in Steamboat Springs to Mike and Cathy Lewis, Guerin grew up in the area. His father was a band and choir teacher in the South Routt School District. His father’s musical influence served as Guerin’s introduction to the guitar, which he started playing when he was 8 years old.

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“He really encouraged me in the music world,” Guerin said. “He is a big inspiration in my life and is why I want to pursue music in any way, shape or form.”

Guerin’s younger sister, Lacey, was a barrel racer, horse trainer and the person who taught him how to ride. He would eventually “fade” out of the horse lifestyle in high school as he pursued music and sports.

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He graduated from Steamboat Springs High School in 2013 and eventually moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. His sister would leave the valley as well, attending Laramie County Community College in Wyoming where she continued to feed her passion surrounding horses.

Despite the distance between them, Guerin and Lacey always found time to ride together when they would reconnect in the Yampa Valley. She served as an inspiration for him to become a ferrier’s apprentice to supplement his songwriting and performances.

Nashville has served Guerin well, as it has allowed him to expand his creative process of songwriting with the support of other artists. Owing to the popularity of country music, he is also able to play almost every weekend.

“I would never have had those opportunities without being out there,” he said. “I’ve met a lot of great friends, we’ve written a lot of good songs together and I’ve gotten to record my music professionally.”

Despite Guerin’s ability to cover the music of other bands, his real love is performing his own original works. His heart, soul and personal history is a major component of the lyrics that he creates and the emotion that comes forward in his music. He views playing the guitar as an “accompaniment” to his songs and the process of songwriting. 

One of his songs, “When A Cowgirl Goes To Heaven,” was written after his sister was killed while crossing an intersection.

“She was just here and then gone,” Guerin said. “She was the light of our family.”

Her loss, and her deep level of involvement in the Routt County Fair, resulted in the dedication of a bench in the show hall to Lacey. Inscribed on the bench are the lyrics Guerin wrote to represent her love of life. It has also driven him to share her message and the light that she brought to the lives of so many through his musical career.

“That’s what inspires me as a songwriter,” he said. “Going through life experiences, like losing a sibling, and being able to write out of that with an experience that so many others can relate to.”

His performances in the Yampa Valley, and especially at the Routt County Fair, have a deep meaning to him as it allows him to continue to celebrate his sister’s life and reconnect with the community that she was a part of. 

“Our community here is so close,” he said. “Everyone here knew who she was.” 

Guerin has played at multiple venues throughout the region, including a performance at The Press in the week preceding the fair. As his career has accelerated, he has opened for major names including Priscilla Block, who arrived in Nashville about the same time he did. 

Lewis tries to break the mold of social media-based music, as he sees importance in the “old-fashioned” face-to-face interactions as he shares his stories through music and builds his base of fans. 

“I see a lot of happiness and joy in my future just pursuing the music the way I am now or if I were to take off and be the next big thing,” said Lewis. “I’m just faithing it up as I go.” 

For more on Guerin Lewis, visit GuerinLewis.com.