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Meet the Libertyville man who found success following two passions

Some people are lucky to have one passion in life and have it lead to success.

Colton Lutter of Libertyville has two. And both are taking off.

Lutter, 23, is the drummer for a band named Sneezy, made up of six high school friends from Libertyville. He's also a sous chef at Milwalky Trace, a hot, new restaurant in Libertyville.

Lutter's desire to play music took off in elementary school after he received a Mapex drum set as a Christmas gift.

Years later while in high school, Lutter helped form Sneezy with friends in the home of guitarist Jack Holland. Other members today include lead singer Brett O'Connor, guitarist Austin Lutter (Colton's brother), bass player Tom Hannum and keyboardist Ben Paulson.

“It started taking off from there and then Austin jumped in because he started studying all different kinds of music and he loves music,” Lutter said.

Holland describes the style of Sneezy as “fusion rock,” with a combination of rock, hip-hop and soul.

Sneezy has been together for six years, but they got their big break July 26 when they played the House of Blues in Chicago. The next month, the band was recording their first album at Fat Recording Studio in Grayslake.

“I feel good about Sneezy. I feel like every time we play, whether it's in the garage, at House of Blues, at Cook Park for Lunch in the Park, we always have a good time,” Lutter said. “I feel like music will be a big part of our lives.”

During his senior year in high school, Lutter decided to become a cook as a way to make some money. But it was while attending Kendall College in Chicago that the desire to become a chef hit him.

“I really grew on the passion of food and serving food,” Lutter said. “I love it. There is nothing better than the feeling of the farmers coming in the morning and we get fresh squash. We cut the squash, cook it in a pan and serve it to the people, and it was picked that morning.”

Owner and chef Lee Kuebler opened Milwalky Trace earlier this summer and was quick to hire Lutter away from Chili U restaurant in Libertyville.

Some days can be stressful, with little time off between working big shows with Sneezy and working late at the restaurant. But Lutter is happy.

“I have fallen in love with both things. They're true passions,” he said. “I have always lived by the saying 'If you know and do what you love, you never work a day in your life.'”

More information on Sneezy, future tour dates and songs can be found at sneezymusic.com.

In a 2005 photo, Jack Holland, left, sings as Colton Lutter plays drums with the band Gwalla Gwallas at the Libertyville American Legion Hall. Courtesy of Sneezy
Jack Holland, left, sings at the House of Blues in Chicago as Lutter backs him up on the drums. Sneezy performed there last June. Courtesy of Demetra Koris
  David Martorana listens to a recording by Sneezy and edits the sound at Fat Recording Studio in Grayslake. From left, band members Colton Lutter, Jack Holland and Brett O'Connor play "air" instruments as they listen. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  Lutter, right, works as sous chef at Milwalky Trace in Libertyville. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com
  "I feel good about Sneezy. I feel like every time we play, whether it's in the garage, at House of Blues, at Cook Park for Lunch in the Park, we always have a good time," Lutter said. Gilbert R. Boucher II/gboucher@dailyherald.com

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