Biography - Kelly Dunn
Born: November 17th
Married to Karen. They have a daughter, Chrystal.
Instrument: Guitar
Favorite Food: Grilled chicken, great salads too!
He published a book at the young age of nine years, titled, "The Odd Car". He learned how to play guitar when he was 16 years old. Soon, he began writing songs. These early years were filled with stints performing in local music groups and seeking a larger audience.
He was first noticed by Warner Brothers staff writer, Rick Sandler, in California. Kelly moved to California as Rick's understudy. He wrote lyrics for Anne Murray, Jermaine Jackson and LTD. After two years Kelly came back home with a greater understanding and appreciation of musical styles.
In 1988 Kelly wrote, "Christmas Time". It was sold throughout Michigan at local music stores. Local television station, WJBK Channel Two aired the song for the entire Christmas season. The staff at the station suprised Kelly with a video they had produced for the song. It was a great Christmas present!
Life jumped into Kelly's musical path and he stopped writing and performing for a few years. Kelly went back to school and graduated as an English Major. Settled into a life as a computer consultant.
His brother Joel went to his home one day. He wanted Kelly to get back into music and play a few gigs with his Blues band. Kelly performed a few gigs with his brothers band and the music bug had bitten once again.
A good friend of Kelly's, Bruce, told him one day, "That apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. You are writing Country songs and you don't even hear it!" Kelly's family came from Kentucky and Tennesee.
Kelly's music was getting better with each new song he wrote. Meanwhile, the live performances were standing-room only. In 2002 Kelly became a member of NSAI (Nashville Songwriters Association International). Brenda Perry (Michigan coordinatior) was critical in Kellys next step. She thought some of his material was ready for the next level. Based on those meetings Kelly went on to Nashville and met with the vice presidents of BMI and ASCAP. Kelly took a liking to Herky Williams at ASCAP. He told Kelly that there was a market for his style of music.
Nearly a year later after several showcases in the Nashville area Kelly met Dick McVey. Mr. McVey had great words of encouragement and liked his demo tapes. Dick McVey went on to arrange an all-star cast of musicians to perform on Kelly's first Nashville cd. It was a ten song project that became a benchmark in Kelly's career. Soon, calls came in from around Europe to air Kelly's songs on their radio stations. Europe has become a big market for Kelly's style of Country music.
To date, Kelly has written and copyrighted over 450 songs in Washington, D.C. USA.
Kelly looks forward to coming to a venue near you.
Below is list of current and past musicians I have had the honor to perform with onstage over the past twenty years.
Current Line-up:
Gene Mann - Sax
One of the best sax players in the world. Period. He's shared the stage with some of the greatest musicians in the Jazz and Rock world. Gene is quiet but those are the one's you have to watch out for! However, Gene never blends into the crowd with his wailing solo's on the uptempo songs and the mellow moods he sets on the slower songs.
Musicians I had the pleasure and honor to perform with over the years:
Chris Falls - Drums, Vocals (Detroit)
Jacqui Parsons - Vocals, Keyboards (Detroit)
Dan Logan - Bass, Vocals (Detroit)
Tom Farrell - Bass, Vocals (Detroit)
Dick McVey - Bass (Nashville)
Michael Shrimpf - Keyboard, harmonica (Nashville)
Byrd Burton - Guitar (Nashville)
John Hughey - Pedal Steel (Nashville)
Mike Baker - Guitar (Nashville)
Steve Lohr - Drums (Nashville)
Debbie Champion - Vocals (Nasvhille)
Earl Frick - Bass, vocals (Detroit)
Pat McHale - Drums, Vocals (Detroit)
Chris Stevens - Drums (Detroit)
Ray Sadlowski - Drums, Vocals (Detroit)
Bryan Dupree, Keyboards, Vocals, (Detroit)
Jerry Spehar, Drums (Detroit)
Mark Allen - Keyboards, Vocals (Detroit)
Lisa Bonei - Keyboards, Vocals (Detroit)
Steve Hines - Keyboards, Vvocals (Detroit)
Rich Millett - Drums, Vocals (Detroit)
Jeff Kaiser - Guitar, Vocals (Detroit)
John Loftis - Bass, Vocals (Detroit)
Joel Dunn - Bass, Vocals (Detroit)
Brian Epstien - Bass (New York)