Fan Mail

This is your chance to tell your stories about the Balladeer, or just to tell everyone why you like his music and performances, or about a favorite song.  To add your comments, please send us an email.  Either tell us it's okay to post your name, or give us a nickname to use instead.  If we feel there's a need to edit, we'll check with you first. 

If we missed getting one of your great messages posted, please don't be shy about telling us.

And note there is now a second page of Fan Mail.

From Dolan Ellis This one HAD to go ahead of the rest.  The photo was taken Thanksgiving, 2002, so the younger Dolan has grown up quite a bit.  Grandpa is very proud of his namesake, who is also a musician (a drummer)

Dear Grandpa Dolan, I just wanted the world to know that I love you very much! So please post this on your page. Love Always, your grandson, Dolan Ellis:-)

From Pearl & Jim, Two Devoted Fans from way back when: We first saw Dolan before he became Arizona's official balladeer and before the Christy Minstrel days. He was performing at a coffee house in Scottsdale - I believe the year was way back in the early 60's.

From Joan Hayden: We have been fans of Dolan's since the "60's. Favorite song ..."Early Morning Rain"

From Elaine Simpson: We live in Ontario Canada, but spend the winter in Tucson. Since becoming familiar with The Arizona Folklore Preserve back in 1998 we continue to attend at least one, if not more concerts throughout the winter months. We make a special note of taking our Canadian visitors over to Sierra Vista to hear Dolan and he is definitely on the "must see" list for visitors. Because of Dolan we have now been attending the annual Cowboy Gathering, including a visit to the Folklore Preserve that weekend.

From JoAnn and John Revak: We have always enjoyed Dolan's music. I am a lifelong Arizonan and have been very aware of Dolan Ellis's past.

From Ray Herman: I hope I'm around as long as Dolan is still singing. I first met Dolan when I was a grad student at ASU between 1964 and 1968. I can still remember how excited I was at seeing Dolan perform in Scottsdale at the now gone Safari Hotel. Years later, I fulfilled my dream of returning to Arizona to retire as Dolan's music helped me realize what a great and wonderful State we have. A few years back, I bought a tiny cabin in Lakeside-Pinetop and when I heard that Dolan was performing in Showlow, I made a point of speaking with Dolan. It was like turning back the clock almost 30 years. Dolan and Arizona belong in the same breath.

From Rose Marie Heidrick: (Note: Rose Marie has been companion to the great and legendary musician, Travis Edmonson, for almost 20 years. Dolan lists Travis as one of his greatest influences, if not THE greatest, so this sincere compliment from Rose Marie means a lot to the Balladeer. What more does she need to say?): Next to Travis I love Dolan most as a singer and entertainer.

From Jim Schuttenberg: My wife Lynn and I and several of our friends have been Dolan Ellis fans since the very early 70s, when Dolan performed at various locations around the Phoenix area. We remember eating at the Tuba City Truckstop. I remember ordering a hamburger with green chiles there (twice), and the kitchen ran out of green chiles both times. Our son Doug, who was about five at the time, attended one of the first performances at which the Mogollon Monster appeared. The Monster came down into the audience and scared poor Doug half to death! After that, I understand that the MM stayed up on the stage and didn't mingle with the audience. One of my favorite memories is seeing pictures of the trips Dolan made to the Navajo reservation to distribute food and clothing to the folks up there during the winter. We've also been to the Arizona Folklore Preserve a couple of times to see Dolan sing there.

From Audrey Wade (the "house" Audrey refers to is the Moffett House, and you read about it and see photos by clicking here) : Dear Friends, Please keep my name on the list for the Balladeer Bulletin Board. I do enjoy hearing about Dolan Ellis' activities, which are more exciting all the time. I've been a fan of his ever since the 70's, when we first heard that he was the Official Balladeer for Arizona. I'm so happy that his dream of a great performing venue has come true - even though I did enjoy the "cozy" atmosphere of the house! I hope to take advantage of more of the opportunities to attend his programs.

From Geri & Rich Maggio: Please include us to receive info on Dolan Ellis as we are fans since 1980's when we saw him perform at Rawhide. We would love to see him perform again and keep track of his career.

From Jim and Lorraine McGhee: We first heard Dolan sing at the Cowboy Music and Poetry Roundup in Safford, AZ a few years ago. Once we heard him sing "Ghost Riders in the Sky," we were hooked. We bought his CD with that song, along with many more great ones, and have visited the Arizona Folklore Center at least six times in the past 2 years bringing as many friends with us from Safford that we can stuff in our car. Hope to see him again soon.

From Norma and Gus Laughman: Hi and thanks for the Balladeer Newsletter. Enjoyed it very much and hope to remain on your email list. Going to add our little note as to when we first saw Dolan perform. It was probably about 1975. Our son and wife were newly weds and had moved to the Phoenix-Scottsdale area and we went to visit them for a weekend. They had discovered Dolan who was performing at a hotel in the area. It might have been a Holiday Inn, but they were sure that we would enjoy his show and planned that event for us while there. Of course we did enjoy it very much and at a later date we along with our daughter and son-in-law returned for a visit and he was doing shows at another location and we all attended a show again. All bought records of course. (Before CD's) We have followed his career through the news media since that time and had wanted to come to the preserve long ago and it just never worked out. Finally we set the October 2 date and were determined not to let anything interfere with those plans. Once again we were very entertained and happy that we finally made it. The performance was great as always and we were very impressed witht he Folklore Center and the grounds. Beautiful, so peaceful and relaxing. Now we are enjoying our new CDs, again beautiful, peaceful, and relaxing.

From Judy Drake of Phoenix (note: the subject of this message was: "Thanks for the Joy," and when she responded to say we can use her name, she added these words to the Dolan Ellis praise: "I think it is wonderful the way he has dedicated his life to glorifying our state with his music) Dear Dolan Ellis, I just wanted to let you know how much we enjoyed your Christmas show at the Kerr Cultural Center. I wasn't sure I could even get my husband to agree to go, but he did and enjoyed it as much as I did. He's a new fan now. My first encounter with Dolan Ellis was when Bud and Travis were performing at Portafino's. I was about twelve years old at the time. My family was very impressed with your talent. Later my sister went to see you at the Embers. What a great time we had! (You even joined us at our table (probably because my sister was 17 and quite attractive). I could go on and on, but I'm sure you get similar reminiscences all the time. I just wanted to thank you for the moments of happiness. One other thing. My son says when he was in school, he wanted to be you. You have a unique talent and I hope you continue to share it for a long time to come.

From Ms. Georgia Williams of Yucca, Arizona (in a follow-up message Ms. Williams said she's lived in Arizona since 1991 and until seeing Dolan on television she didn't even know Arizona has a Balladeer. Her words: "How cool."): Dear Mr. Ellis, While channel-surfing last evening (Wed., 12/29/04), I stumbled upon "Horizon", and found Michael Grant quietly, as always, talking with a gentleman wearing a pristine white cowboy hat, colorful Indian-print vest, and holding a gorgeous 12-string guitar. I couldn't wait to hear what the man and his guitar would sound like!! The wait was more than worth it. I was amazed and impressed, and it felt so good to hear your style of music. Particularly enjoyed, "Ghost Riders in the Sky"!! The title of " Arizona's Official Balladeer" is certainly well-deserved. Thanks for the music!

From Lorri Hibbert, Librarian at Coronado High School: I may be one of the earliest Dolan Ellis fans. I first saw him at Boboquivari in Scottsdale in 1961or 62. He'd play the 12 string and we'd drink almond chocolate. Good times.

From Jim Dundleson: I saw you on TV-Channel 8 tonight. Your singing is wonderful: sincere, sensational, and sentimental. I am 56 years old and grew up in the 60’s in Southern California singing in coffee houses along the coast. That was many years ago and far, far away. I brought my family to Arizona in 1977 and been here ever since. I still have my Guild D-40 on a stand in my family room and pick it from time-to-time…though not nearly as well as you play your 12-string Guild. My wife and I use to sing together; she passed away from cancer in 1998 at 47 years of age. My wife left me two beautiful kids, a son (31) and a daughter (28). Both love folk music. We had a sing-a-long on Christmas Eve as we have for many years…kind of a tradition. My son loves the New Christy Minstrels and a few years ago began to search Ebay to purchase your albums and songbooks.

From Frank & Anita Gallagher: Dolan, Thanks for a wonderfully entertaining evening Dec 11th at the Kerr Cultural Center. We listened to Tall Tales enroute to the concert, got a weeks worth of exercise popping up and down during the 12 Days of AZ Christmas at the concert, and drove home listening to Touch the Earth. Now we really like you Dolan, but that’s about all the Dolan Ellis one can take in an evening. Have a Merry Christmas.

From Reda (Reda is referring to the Lake Havasu City Storytelling Festival in February 2005: What a pleasure it was to enjoy two days and two evenings listening to the Arizona State Ballader, Dolan Ellis. I am a winter visitor from Colorado and learned a lot of new things about this great state through your beautiful words and music. Thank you for coming, you certainly have a new, enthusiastic fan!

From Craig Senft, a longtime fan ("Electric Anthill" is available on Dolan's "Touch the Earth" CD): I first saw Dolan perform in the early 70’s when I was in Phoenix on business.. He was appearing at a hotel/restaurant on 7th Street. Hot Rod Hundley was in the audience. My associate thought we were in heaven – Hot Rod and Dolan on the same night!. I’ve long forgotten the name of the place. He hooked me on Arizona that night. I was a long-time “folk not rock” person so the music hit a particular chord inside of me. A few years later my job moved me to Phoenix permanently. The first thing I did in ’77 after getting settled in, was to track down Dolan. We became regulars at the Truck stop and missed it terribly when it was gone. I guess we were part of the reason it closed, we would come order a round of drinks and stay until they threw us out! I have been looking for a turntable to replay some of the old albums we bought at the Truck Stop. One song I keep thinking about as I drive through Phoenix and the environs is “Electric Anthill”. How sad it has become so true.

From Gordon Adams,(Gordon is one of the most loyal of New Christy Minstrels fans. Gordon also helps a lot with the message board on the official site of Randy Sparks & the Minstrels (www.thenewchristyminstrels.com). Gordon has known Dolan for many years. Hi Dolan, It was wonderful seeing you in Queen Creek. It's been a long time since SierraLand and the original New Christy Minstrel reunion. You're looking good and sounding better than ever!

From Pete Freeman, Great Britain Dad was introduced to Dolan back in the 70’s by a work colleague from PING golf equipment. My father first travelled to Phoenix in 1973 and following a successful meeting with Karsten Solheim, the founder of PING he came back to England to setup their UK operation. This lead to many return visits to Phoenix over the years, and lots more fond memories of Arizona. I remember him playing the records to us throughout our childhood, including some copies made to 8-track to play in the car, they were greatly loved then and we’re all looking forward to hearing them again. All of the vinyl LP’s have long passed to memory though and the new CD’s will be cherished.

From Terri LeClair (Terri is a lovely lady from the Sierra Vista area who makes several visits to the Arizona Folklore Preserve each year.  This letter is about her granddaughter, Tess.  Dolan was impressed that Tess knew the words to "Arizona, Through and Through," and was able to sing along with him.)  Tess is eleven and comes out from Missouri to visit grandparents in the Summer. A few years ago when Dolan wrote "Arizona" she and her brother, Jack, were at the AFP and just loved that song and continued to sing it. One of the "must do's" when she visits is going to the AFP and this year Dolan was going to be singing so we put in a "special request" for that song! She was just thrilled when he sang it especially for her and then later when he posed for a picture with her, it just made her day! Thanks to Dolan for a special memory for Tess! Gramie Terri LeClair

From Abby in Lagrange Park, IL Dolan: Seeing as it Thanksgiving I wanted to send off a note of gratitude to you....... I am so lucky to have had parents who took me to your shows in Scottsdale in the seventies. I was just young girl back then but loved the shows and treasured my memories of your songs and my beloved "Tuba City Truckstop" tshirt! Even more so when we moved back to Illinois.My mother and sister have since moved back to the Tucson area and my husband I often visit enjoying beautful Arizona. We happened to be hiking through up and out the canyons in the Huachuca's and I was singing him your songs alogn the way..."Electric Anthill" "Tuba City" "May the Road Rise up" and we even made our own song up called the "Huachuca Fly". They seemed to be persistent on that hike and jerky dance also accompanies the lyrics!.... Anyway we walked out of the canyon via the Ramsey Canyon to find your Preserve just waiting for us to discover it! It was such an odd coincidence and ever since then we are back in the saddle following your wonderful music. My husband, mom and I saw your show at the preserve and my husband just loves you. And my mother plays "Wildfire" in the car and my niece sings along with her and knows all the words.....So thank you Dolan. You have 3 generations of fans in our family! And I cant tell you how much I appreciate your love for Arizona and preserving its stories through song - you keep me connected to those wonderful days exploring the desert as a child. *My mother in law will be purchasing oodles of your CDs and DVDs for Christmas -  my husband and I I cant wait to get them!!!! ** We are convinced a song called the "Huachuca Fly" would be perfect for you to write! Thank you again and take care! Abby (Mom-Nancy, Sister-Heather, Niece-Shallon, in Tucson send their thanks too)

From Frosty Taylor (Frosty and Dolan are old friends, from the time he was Off-Road Vehicle Coordinator for Arizona Game & Fish and Frosty was their publicist) Dolan: what a pleasant surprise when one of the kids called and said, "Quick, turn on channel 8. Your ole buddy is on TV." My God, when you started strumming "Ghost Riders" it sure brought memories of you sitting in the GF office singing to Joy and me, along with some of the others  You are looking and sounding great.  You literally light up when you really get into your songs. What a joy to watch.

From Chuck Brillowsky:  (This one goes WAY back, to the time before the New Christy Minstrels, when Dolan recorded the album on the Reprise label that helped to bring him to national attention.  Chuck has also sent some correspondence between him and Dolan from 1997.  Dolan's message provided a great story about that album, so a special page has been created to make it available to anyone interested.) Good job on Dolan's website. I check in every couple of years to see what's happening. My exposure to Dolan's music is pretty limited, going back to the 60s, when I was given a stack of radio station promotional 45s. One of them was "Joe Bean" b/w "Astigmata", recorded be Dolan Ellis and the Inn Men. It was very influential in my developing a taste for humorous and novelty recordings, and was a favorite for many years. Obviously, I've never forgotten those two songs, and I started looking for information about him as soon as I got internet access in the early 90s. Was delighted to find the official site in about 1997 or so, and exchanged a couple of emails, discussing the tunes on that 45. He gave me some background information on the tunes and mentioned the name of the album -- Almost Authentic Folk Songs -- on which they appeared. I'm not really a record collector, per se, but I hunted high and low for that album, eventually securing a very clean copy about 3 or 4 years ago. I won't pester him with an update, but you can tell him that I paid $32 for that little-known, oft-ignored record and that it's near the top of my prized possessions. And it's the most I've ever paid for any single recording on record or CD. I think he'd get a chuckle out of that....

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