Welcome to the online home of Warren Nelson - Songwriter, Musician, Entertainer, Poet, Historian, Radio Host and a Tent-show "man of the cloth." If you’ve never heard of him before, you should stop by his Biography section to find out what he’s all about. After learning a bit more about him, make sure to visit the Store to listen to some samples of his music. His career in show business spans 41 years.
A Fairmont, Minnesota native, Warren is founder of Lake Superior Big Top Chautauqua and has led a team of talented musicians, actors, researchers and technicians in the creation of numerous large-scale, historical musicals since the 1970’s. He has had many honors bestowed upon him in his prolific career.
Here are some highlights:
1998 - Commissioned by the State of Wisconsin to write a musical for the state’s sesquicentennial.
1999 - Voted “Best Folk Musician’ by readers of Wisconsin Trails Magazine.
2005 - Awarded Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree by the University of Wisconsin-Superior, and invited to give their spring commencement address.
2005 - Honored as an official Fellow of the Wisconsin Academy of Arts, Sciences and Letters.
2006 - Honored with the first -ever Wisconsin History Award from WI Historical Society for “superb storytelling and unforgettable music to make history come alive for the thousands of people who have attended its (Big Top Chautauqua’s) performances.
2007 - Named “Minnesotan of the Year’” for his outstanding contribution to the arts in Minnesota by the Minnesota Territorial Pioneers.
2008 - Given the Wisconsin Governor’s Award In Support of the Arts in partnership with Big Top Chautauqua.
From Warren Nelson:
Greetings wide-awake citizens! The big year is here - Minnesota’s Sesquicentennial and we are on the road with our show Old Minnesota - Song Of The North Star. Look for us coming soon to a theatre near you! Highlights include performances at the Pantages Theatre in May and a 12-day run as a centerpiece at the Minnesota State Fair in August. There’s a dream come true for me. See you there in a big tent next to the Grandstand.
The Twin Cities Public Television filming of Old Minnesota occurred in May of ‘07 and I hope by now you’ve seen it on TV. If not, order a copy from my website. Comes with my money back guarantee- if you don’t like it, try and get your money back! Seriously, it was an honor to lead the project. We are also out and about with our Best of the Big Top shows. Check the website www.bigtop.org for the schedule.
We are anxiously awaiting the first broadcast of 'Centennial Green,', my Forest Service Centennial Musical which was taped in high definition at the famous Pabst Theatre in Milwaukee in April a year ago. We hope, beyond the first showing by Milwaukee Public Television, it will be picked up by National Public Television and travel the USA via TV. Stay tuned for more new news.
Been a tough winter personally, as I lost two of my closest soul mates- Don Pavel, Chautauqua’s band leader and a musical partner of mine for 38 years, and Mark “Pete” Nelson, my beloved brother who was a great conservationist, musician and father. Carry on. The way to go there is to jump into Big Top Chautauqua’s 23rd season again under the magic canvas hat that I get to stand to with my amazing musical partners in the Blue Canvas Orchestra of the Big Top. Thanks to those of you who have expressed your sorrow on my loss.
New recordings are in the ear of this year - a recording of the music of Old Minnesota and a new CD featuring my son Rowan Nelson-Ferris who is an incredible banjo player.
I am grateful everyday for the blessing of my gifts of time and talent and I can’t wait to see you in person.
Ballyhoo, Warren Nelson
© 2006 Nick Larsen