Dolan Ellis

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Francis Dolan Ellis (born March 1, 1935, Kansas) has been Arizona's Official State Balladeer since 1966, as appointed by ten consecutive governors. Governor Sam Goddard made the first appointment, and he was the first governor in the U.S. to make such an appointment. Since then, official balladeers have been appointed in other states.

In his role as Balladeer, Dolan has written more than 300 songs and performed them throughout the state and in most U.S. states, as well as in twenty foreign countries.

As a musician, Dolan Ellis is known for his 12-string guitar, his baritone voice, the songs he writes, and his unique arrangements of other songs. He specializes in songs of Arizona and the American Southwest, but often goes back to his roots as a jazz musician.

As a performer, Dolan was a pioneer in the use of large-screen photography to illustrate his songs.

Dolan was an original member of The New Christy Minstrels and was with them for their first five albums, several gold records, their Grammy in 1963 for Best Group, major concert appearances, and a full season (1962-1963) as regulars on the nationally televised Andy Williams Show.

Dolan Ellis is now with the Christies again, participating in their recordings and tours.