Dolan Ellis
Encyclopedia
Francis Dolan Ellis has been Arizona
's Official State Balladeer since 1966, as appointed by ten consecutive governors. Governor Sam Goddard
made the first appointment. Since then, official balladeers have been appointed in other states.
In his role as Balladeer, Dolan has written more than 300 songs and performed them throughout the state and in most U.S. states, as well as in twenty foreign countries. As a musician, Ellis is known for his 12-string guitar, his baritone voice, the songs he writes, and his unique arrangements of other songs. He specializes in songs of Arizona and the American Southwest, but often goes back to his roots as a jazz musician. Dolan pioneered the use of large-screen photography to illustrate his songs.
He was an original member of The New Christy Minstrels and was with them for their first five albums, several gold records, their Grammy in 1963 for Best Group, major concert appearances, and a full season (1962–1963) as regulars on the nationally televised Andy Williams Show.
In 1996, Ellis founded the Arizona Folklore Preserve, located in Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. Operated by the University of Arizona-South, the Preserve features guest artists on most weekends and monthly performances by Ellis himself.
Dolan Ellis is now with the Christies again, participating in their recordings and tours.
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
's Official State Balladeer since 1966, as appointed by ten consecutive governors. Governor Sam Goddard
Samuel Pearson Goddard, Jr.
Samuel Pearson Goddard, Jr. was an American politician and the 12th Governor of Arizona, serving from January 1965 till January 1967...
made the first appointment. Since then, official balladeers have been appointed in other states.
In his role as Balladeer, Dolan has written more than 300 songs and performed them throughout the state and in most U.S. states, as well as in twenty foreign countries. As a musician, Ellis is known for his 12-string guitar, his baritone voice, the songs he writes, and his unique arrangements of other songs. He specializes in songs of Arizona and the American Southwest, but often goes back to his roots as a jazz musician. Dolan pioneered the use of large-screen photography to illustrate his songs.
He was an original member of The New Christy Minstrels and was with them for their first five albums, several gold records, their Grammy in 1963 for Best Group, major concert appearances, and a full season (1962–1963) as regulars on the nationally televised Andy Williams Show.
In 1996, Ellis founded the Arizona Folklore Preserve, located in Ramsey Canyon in the Huachuca Mountains. Operated by the University of Arizona-South, the Preserve features guest artists on most weekends and monthly performances by Ellis himself.
Dolan Ellis is now with the Christies again, participating in their recordings and tours.