Welcome to the online home of Warren Nelson - Songwriter, Musician, Entertainer, Poet, Historian, Radio Host and a Tent-show "Man of the Cloth" with a career in show business lasting over 40 years.
A Fairmont, Minnesota native, Warren is the 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.
