Biography
11 CD’s
Featured in Concert at The Kennedy Center,
Washington, D.C.
Author of Beads on One String, Ninth Printing
Three time Kerrville Folk Fest “New Folk” Finalist
Radio, TV and more...
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Dennis Warner's musical journey has brought him to all 50 states and beyond, earning him global recognition and a reputation for being an elite entertainer in the singer-songwriter genre.
With his tour schedule on hold due to the pandemic, Dennis released his 11th album, Pilot Me. Perhaps his best work, Pilot Me debuted on the FOLK DJ radio charts at #8 for the month of August, 2020. Remarkably, all thirteen songs received airplay, landing Dennis a coveted spot in the top 10 for Artist of the Month.
Warner’s ninth CD, Seeds, also generated a lot of attention in the folk music community, being named one of the best CDs of 2012 in the folk genre, based on radio play around the world. FOLK DJ also named him one of the top folk music artists of 2012. Legendary Midnight Special radio host Rich Warren tipped his hat to Dennis by designating Seeds as his “CD Pick of the Week” on his nationally syndicated show.
Dennis is a three-time McKnight Foundation Artist Award winner and three-time finalist for the prestigious Kerrville Folk Festival songwriting awards, co-founded by Peter Yarrow of Peter, Paul and Mary. Another accolade came with the invitation to perform in concert at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. for a series honoring the best of the unknown songwriters.
2018 was a big year for Dennis. Early that year, he was invited to the RoundGlass Music Awards in New York City celebrating “Enlightened musicians from around the globe who create music to make the world a better place.” Later that year, Dennis was honored to perform for the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Toronto, where 7,500 attendees representing 230 different faiths from around the planet gathered finding ways to coexist in our diverse world.
His Beads on One String book, now in its Ninth Printing, celebrates our connectedness with each other and features a bully prevention curriculum for elementary schools. Beads on One String is currently being used in schools throughout the U.S. and other countries as well. In 2015, Dennis and his wife Tammy donated 250 copies of Beads on One String to Books for Africa, where they were needed in Ghana to teach English to kids by using Dennis' song and book. In 2021, Warner signed an agreement with the STEPi/Utopia Foundation to distribute 20,000 books throughout the African countries of Uganda, Côte d'Ivoire, South Africa and Tanzania. In 2023, in association with the STEPi Foundation, Mandelwa Creatives and Dreamcatchers International, Dennis completed a successful three week concert tour throughout South Africa. A highlight of the tour was being invited to perform in concert at the historically significant Constitution Hill in Johannesburg.
Featured on Radio and TV Syndication:
- Hosted Jammin' with Dennis Warner (Amperes Radio Network)
- Great Acoustics, Live! (NPR)
- River City Folk (NPR)
- Radio Unnamable with Bob Fass (New York City)
- Radio Heartland (MPR)
- Soundstage, internationally syndicated concert from Chicago.
Produced by Lakeland Public Broadcasting, in 2020 Dennis was featured in concert on the popular PBS syndicated TV show Backroads.
Along with his original music, Warner is widely admired for his moving interpretations of songs written by others. Audience favorites include Don't Laugh at Me, The Garden Song (Inch by Inch) and Homegrown Tomatoes. Many also know Dennis for his viral YouTube video I'm My Own Grandpa with over 862,000 hits.
Most importantly perhaps, Warner is an outstanding entertainer. Serious topics and ballads are cleverly blended with up-tempo songs, audience participation and engaging humorous stories. A warm stage presence and ability to connect with his audience is the trademark of a Dennis Warner concert.
Throughout his career, Dennis has collaborated with many noted musicians, including rock and roll legend Bobby Vee, J.D. Steele, Freebo, James Lee Stanley, Prudence Johnson, Peter Ostroushko, Paul Diethelm and George Maurer.
Though he calls Minnesota home, Warner loves to travel and tour, either solo or with his band the D’s. On and off the stage, Dennis is personable and good-humored. When not working on his music, he can be found sailing, eating ice cream or perhaps listening to a Minnesota Twins baseball game. On a good day, he's doing all three.

Other Important Links
Read Short Biography
Dennis Warner Career Resume
Human Rights
Connect with Dennis
www.WarnerSongs.com
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