Don Ellis

"Born in Norfolk, VA, and raised around dirt roads outside of Beaver Falls, PA, a five-year old Don Ellis discovered he could make bubble-gum money singing John Denver songs for the neighbors.

Ellis and his brother performed together as children at the local VFW and Moose Hall, eventually putting a band together and becoming regulars at local fairs and bars. As teenagers they appeared in the northern version of the Grand Old Opry, West Virginia’s Jamboree USA and Jamboree in the Hills. Flash forward: the band opens for the biggest country acts of that time, including Alabama and Johnny Cash, at Ponderosa Park in Salem, OH.

Now a confident performer, Ellis was embraced as an entertainer by large audiences across the Northeast. His first Nashville experience was winning TNNs "You Can Be A Star" grand championship. Later he recorded two CDs for Epic Records with his brother, which garnered duo nominations at every major country music award show. Following a move to Nashville and a successful run singing cover songs in a country band, Ellis went solo with his first major publishing deal as a songwriter. His songs have been recorded by Ricochet, Emerson Drive, Mark Wills, Kenny Rogers, Rhett Akins, Colin Raye, Blake Shelton, and many others.

Ellis also took a job performing in a tribute to the history of country music at the Nashville Night Life Theatre to help support his growing family. He has developed a comedic flair as a master of ceremonies, hosting 1000 people on weekend nights in the karaoke room at popular Nashville nightclub Denim and Diamonds. Two years ago he began booking, promoting and hosting a weekly writer’s night at the same club, to help provide exposure for his fellow songwriter/artists. Ellis works non-stop -- performing at the theatre, hosting three shows a week at the club, and attending to his full-time writing job.

Along the way, Ellis decided to put together his own celebrity golf tournament, now in its seventh year, to benefit Special Olympics. "That show was one of the greatest live performances I have ever done. Performing for those athletes was incredibly rewarding. I’m proud to have the chance to get my fellow artists together and do something to raise money for a cause that is dear to my heart."

The singer/songwriter/show host managed to get one of his demos to Nashville record producer Chuck Howard as a result of one of his hosting stints at Denim and Diamonds. Together they have made the album Ellis says he has always dreamed of. The first single, "I Wanna Be Like Him," was written by two of his best buddies, who saved the song for him for two years in an expression of faith in his talent and future in the business. He sings about a young boy who looks up to his father, and a father who realizes the irony in wishing he still had the qualities his son possesses. Ellis’ boys, aged 9 and 5, are "No. 1" with him. "I only want one thing where they are concerned -- to be the dad they think I am," Ellis says.

As a singer, songwriter, philanthropist, family man, emcee, and seasoned entertainer, Don Ellis shares the richness of his voice and the wisdom in his heart in his solo debut, "This Time A Year Ago." He describes the album as "half (his) real life; half the illustration of a songwriter’s imagination."

Now available for your next corporate event - Don Ellis! Contact us today to arrange an appearance for your next special event.

corporateartists.com is a division of The Bazel Group, Inc. and acts as an entertainment broker and producer for corporate and private events. We do not claim or represent ourselves as the exclusive agent or management for all of the artists on this website. We are not a fan site - and are unable to answer requests for press interviews, autographs, personal inquiries, phone numbers etc. We dedicate our priority to serious inquiries from first time and experienced talent buyers. Thank you for your understanding.