Dolan Ellis has been Balladeer Oficial del Estado de Arizona for 47 years, under the appointment of twelve Arizona Governors. While exploring the little known corners of this state in his specially equipped four wheel drive vehicles, and researching the legends and historical events that he writes and sings about, he has logged over a million Arizona miles on his Jeeps. He is also an expert photographer, and uses his large screen photography (now digital) to illustrate his Arizona ballads during many of his appearances.
Dolan is the founder of The Arizona Folklore Preserve in Ramsey Canyon, which is now owned by the State of Arizona and The University of Arizona South. The AFP is administrated by the The Arizona Folklore Preserve Board of Directors.
As an original member of the famous folk singing group, The New Christy Minstrels, Dolan has earned several gold records, as well as earning a coveted Grammy Award while with that group. Dolan recently retired from the NCM. He is continuing his busy performance schedule as “The Balladeer”. While with the NCM, he performed at the Chautauqua Performing Arts Center in New York State, as well as the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco and B.B. King’s in NYC.
As Arizona’s Official State Balladeer, he has sung his ballads in more than twenty countries of the world and he continues to tour frequently with his one man “Arizona Experience” show. Dolan Ellis and his work have been entered into the United States Congressional Record, where he has been recognized as an “Arizona Treasure”, by Senator John McCain. After many years of dedication to his work, Dolan Ellis and his music have become synonymous with Arizona, its lands, and its people.