Ken Dunn’s music "sneaks into you feet, heart, and soul."        - No Depression, The Roots Music Journal

Ken writes, performs, and records with the intention of promoting peace, social, and environmental justice. Alternatively light-hearted and pensive, contemporary, yet infused with tradition, this is music focused on positive human values, with diversity and inclusivity at its core.

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REVISITING WONDROUS BEAUTY 

It's been an eventful winter, navigating the nomadic lifestyle with my family in our camper van, traversing the diverse landscapes of America. While I've occasionally performed at small venues, I've primarily taken a break from live shows, a hiatus that's proven both rejuvenating and enriching. This period has allowed me to rediscover some of my earlier compositions, many of which had faded into the recesses of my memory. One of the downsides of crafting hundreds of songs over the span of several decades, I suppose. 

One rainy afternoon a few days ago, in Burnaby, B.C., I found myself revisiting a particular tune - the title track from my 2017 album, "Wondrous Beauty." I hope you enjoy it, and may your day be filled with wonder and beauty as well.

NEW REVIEW FROM SWEDEN FOR ANTHOLOGY VOLUME 2 

Well I must say that I am humbled by this latest review. Many thanks to Tom Arvidsson at Thirsty Boots in Sweden. Of course, it's in Swedish, but the English translation is further down.
In a nutshell: "There is a clarity and a conviction in Canadian Ken Dunn's music. Most songwriters would be proud to have such a strong treasure of songs to choose from. Ken has a big heart for peace and justice and he writes his songs with a firm belief that love and understanding can save the world". Let's hope so !!

FINDING HARMONY IN ADVERSITY: A MUSICAL JOURNEY OF RECOVERY AND CREATIVITY 

Greetings, music enthusiasts! It's been an eventful summer, culminating in a unique twist of fate. Just as I wrapped up my Ontario tour, a curveball came my way in the form of a Medial Collateral Ligament (MCL) injury, sidelining me for what seems like an eternity. However, as luck would have it, I find myself convalescing in the sunny embrace of Florida, turning an unexpected hiatus into a period of reflection and creative exploration.

Amidst the challenges of recovery, I've discovered a silver lining that has allowed me to delve into creative projects I've long yearned to pursue. One such endeavor involves harnessing the power of new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to breathe new life into the production of video for my recorded material. These tools have opened up a realm of possibilities, and I've been diligently working on a series of videos for some of my compositions.

Today, I'm excited to share with you one of these creations – a video for my instrumental tune, "Dance of the Winter Fairies", which was recently re-released on Anthology, Volume 2. The enchanting melodies and visual elements come together in a symphony, capturing the essence of this magical piece. I hope it brings a touch of warmth to those in the northern climes, a reminder that even in the coldest of winters, music has the power to kindle the spirit. 

As the year winds down, my focus on these creative projects becomes a beacon of positivity. It's a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to find inspiration even in challenging times. While I eagerly anticipate my return to live performances in the new year, I invite you to join me on this digital journey.

Thank you for your continued support and encouragement. Your positive energy fuels my recovery and propels me forward. Here's to the healing power of music and the promise of a new chapter in the coming year. Until then, stay tuned for more musical adventures and, hopefully, a swift return to the stage. Wishing you warmth and creativity wherever you are.

Yours in melody, Ken
 

THANK YOU ONTARIO !! 


Dear friends and music enthusiasts,

What an enchanting musical summer it has been, touring the beautiful province of Ontario, from the vibrant city of Ottawa to my charming home town of Windsor, and all the incredible points in between. From the Folk Music Ontario conference in London to the unforgettable moments spent with my talented friends Doug MacArthur and Ian Tamblyn in Quebec, this journey has truly been an experience I will always cherish.

I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you who graced my shows with your presence, your energy, and your love for music. Your support means the world to me, and it's what keeps the melodies flowing.

A special shout-out to Anna for her unwavering support, and for backing me up on several occasions, sharing in the magic of the music and the road. Your presence has been a blessing.

As we wrap up this incredible musical summer, I look back with a heart full of appreciation and forward with anticipation for more musical adventures to come. Time for a little R & R. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and let's keep the music alive.

With immense gratitude, Ken 🎶✨🚐

#MagicalMusicalSummer #OntarioTour #FolkMusicOntario #MusicalJourney #Gratitude #MusicCommunity #SupportLocalArtists #AnnaAppreciation #RoadAdventures #KenDunnMusic #SummerMemories 🎶✨🚐

FREEWHEELIN' ON CFMU 93.3 FM  

 

It sure was great to be back on Jim Marino's FREEWHEELIN' FOLK SHOW. Jim has been broadcasting the finest folk music around for the past 29 years on Hamilton, Ontario's CFMU 93.3 FM at McMaster University.

You can listen to the entire interview, as well as my live performance, and some tunes from ANTHOLOGY, VOLUME 2 by clicking on this link: https://kendunnmusic.com/track/3496179/cfmu-july-2023

 

SO GREAT TO BE BACK TOURING IN ONTARIO  

As much as I love wandering across this continent playing music, it is always a special treat coming home to my home province of Ontario. As June begins to wind down, I would like to express my gratitude for the continuing support of fans, venues, and media, as I close in on the half way mark of this wonderful summer tour. Please check my upcoming shows as the tour continues until October. Hope to see you soon. And don’t forget, I would love to perform a house concert in your home town. As a special treat, Anna may continue to join me on several future dates 🎶💕 Stay tuned!

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UPCOMING SHOWS

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Ken Dunn

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MUSIC YOU CAN'T HEAR ON THE RADIO, WPRB 103.3 FM, Princeton, New Jersey

Many thanks to John Weingart, host of MUSIC YOU CAN'T HEAR ON THE RADIO! Honoured to be on the same show as Iris deMent, The Band, Tony Rice, and Jackson Browne (insert head spin here!).

WPRB describes itself as "New Jersey's Only Radio Station" and John tells his story thusly, "I did my first show on WPRB from 6:00-9:00 AM on a Monday morning in February 1974. After turning on the station, I opened with Pete Seeger singing, "Oh, Had I A Golden Thread." My other memory of that show was that a woman called to say, "Young man, do you realize you are not in Nashville but rather in Princeton, New Jersey. I hope you will soon switch to music more consenent with this area." About 15 months later, I left New Jersey and, I thought, radio, but returned to both and started a 3-hour Sunday night show in February 1976 shortly after Paul Robeson died. I am so grateful that the radio gods at WPRB have let me stay and I have spent the vast majority of Sunday nights since trying to create radio that takes wonderful, interesting, sometimes funny, often political, more often reasonably obscure songs and tunes, and weaves them together to be more than the sum of their parts".

Folk n' Roots

Inner FM 96.5, Melbourne, Australia

Many thanks to Colin Fielding, Host of Folk n' Roots on Inner FM in Melbourne, Australia. Honoured to be play listed along side Xavier Rudd, Cowboy Junkies, Kiefer Sutherland, and many more. Check out Colin's program from 'down under'....

FOLKWAYS

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WOJB Radio 88.9, Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation , Hayward, Wisconsin

Aho to Mark Pedersen, host of FOLKWAYS for playing my music! I am thrilled and honoured to be included alongside April Verch, Le Vent du Nord, Kate Wolf, and Alison Krauss, to name a few. Mark plays a great mix of folk music on WOJB, a National Public Radio member on 88.9 MHz, and serves northwestern Wisconsin from the Lac Courte Oreilles Reservation southeast of Hayward, Wisconsin. Tune in, listen to some great tunes, and support the Ojibwe people of Lac Courte Oreilles!

Simpatico

WSPN Radio 91.1 FM, Saratoga Springs, NY

Many thanks to Chris, host of Simpatico at WSPN Radio, Skidmore College, Saratoga, NY. Simpatico is a "whole lotta folk music, a little bit of bluegrass and a hint of the blues." Thanks for playing my rendition of the classic blues, "St. James Infirmary". Honoured to be in a playlist featuring Eric Bibb, Dolly Parton, Aoife O'Donovan, Karen Morand and the Bosco Boys, and Janis Ian.

Amherst Island Radio

CJAI Radio 101.3 FM, Stella, Ontario

Tune in to "New Music This Week" on CJAI Radio broadcasting from Stella, Ontario on beautiful Amherst Island off the coast of Kingston. 101.3 FM in the Kingston area and streaming live on the web at https://www.cjai.ca/.

They will be playing some great new music from Karen Morand and the Bosco Boys, Tanya Tagaq, your truly, and many more. Long live independent radio!

Green Chile Revival and Medicine Show

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Gallup & Navajo, New Mexico, Gallup, New Mexico

The Green Chilli Revival and Medicine Show presents a blend of Roots, Folks, Blues, Rock, and more with host Tom Funk on KGLP 91.7 FM in Gallup and Navajo, New Mexico. Many thanks to Tom for playing "Hold On" from "Anthology, Volume 1" ! Thrilled and honoured to share the airwaves with Janis Ian, The Lumineers, Karen Morand, Nina Simone, T Bone Walker, and a holy host of others. Check out the link to Tom's show from some some hot New Mexican musical fare !!

Freewheelin' Folk Show

CFMU Radio 93.3 FM, Hamilton, Ontario

Come join the Freewheelin’ fun this Saturday on CFMU 93.3 in the Hammer and on the digital spider web! I'll be phoning in for an on air interview with host Jim Marino, who will spin a few tunes from the new "Anthology, Volume 1" album.

FOR “VALENTINES & A MUSIC PROTEST” - “A NEIL YOUNG SPECIAL”..Get on board the Sat. Feb. 12th 93.3 CFMU (cfmu.ca) FREEWHEELIN’” BUS for a ride to OMEMEE ONT. for a “PARTY”. At 9.30 am, a LIVE concert with Mandolin Orange, Emmylou Harris & more doing “YOUNGSONGS”!!! At 10 The FOLK show presents, DALA, L. YATES, J. HEALEY & more great artists singing more YOUNG SONGS!!! + a Bonus CHAT with KEN DUNN!!!

Folk Directions

CKUT Radio 90.3 FM, Montréal, Quebec

Thank you Gerry Goodfriend (and you certainly live up to your name), host of Folk Directions on CKUT 90.3 FM in Montréal for playing "Hills of Strathavon" from my new album "Anthology, Volume 1", including a big shout out to Tyler Beckett for his sizzling fiddle work on the tune! Check out the February 10 show below, featuring Richard Shindell, Raine Hamilton, Aoife O'Donovan, The Watersons, and many more. Humbled to be in such talented company!!

Folk Renaissance Radio Show

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WLJS Radio 91.9 FM, Jacksonville, Alabama

Abby Parks is the host of this refreshing folk and roots show on WLJS Radio 91.9 in Jacksonville, Alabama and streaming live on the web each Monday at 8pm CST. Many thanks to Abby for playing my music once again! Check out Abby's mission statement below, and don't forget to tune into her show for some much needed musical inspiration.

I believe we are in the midst of a new folk revival, hence my site FOLK RENAISSANCE. Music produced with acoustic instruments like banjo (frailing as well as bluegrass style), mandolin, fiddle, upright bass, and guitar has taken on a whole new folk sound with a shot of adrenalin from a generation that has an overwhelming appreciation for great music. Folk artists today are combining music of the past with new music to produce an exciting scene that has spread worldwide. Now is the time to celebrate folk music, art, and dance, and I hope to make a ripple with this site by reviewing new folk music CD's, interviewing artists, and sharing my studies of past generations and their oral traditions. Join me on this exciting journey!

The Small Time Radio Show

CKOL 93.7 FM, Campbellford, Ontario

Many thanks to John Sillberg, host of The Small Time Radio Show on CKOL, Campbellford, Ontario for including "Hold On" in today's show... great folk and roots music, including Corin Raymond, Karen Morand & The Bosco Boys, Jon Brooks, Jory Nash, Dave Loggins, Craig Cardiff, Jennifer Warnes, and many more...

Heartwood Open Mic

Heartwood Hall, 939 Second Avene East, Owen Sound, Ontario

Heartwood Open Mic on the Big Stage. Host is Aaron Top + Brandon Marlow riding shotgun! Yummy pizza from Justin's Oven available + samosas from Sabitri's! Live bands and songwriters. PWYC event to help cover cost for tech & host. NOT just for musicians but a night to go out and enjoy great local talent while hanging out with friends! There will be full band backline set up for musicians to use, but please bring your own guitar if you can. See you here!

Just Us Folk

Just Us Folk, Kitchener, Ontario

Jan Vanderhorst, host of "Just Us Folk" will be spinning a tune from my new release, "Anthology, Volume 1" on this week's show, along with tracks by Gurf Morlix, Tannis Slimmon, Dave Clarke, and many, many more. You can stream Jan's show on demand at the link above.

Just Us Folk is a show devoted to acoustic roots music including contemporary and traditional folk, singer-songwriters, acoustic blues and bluegrass music. Since 1981, Jan Vanderhorst has showcased new and established performers in the world of folk music. Throughout the year Jan travels to folk festivals near and far to interview performers and discuss their craft. An area concert listing of touring performers is also profiled each week.

During his 40 years in folk music, Jan has been a stage MC at many festivals, a judge for both the Canadian Folk Music Awards and the Juno Awards and has served on the Board of Directors of the Ontario Council of Folk Festivals. Jan is currently on the Board of the Mariposa Folk Foundation.

To celebrate 40 years on the folk scene, Jan has published a series of recent interviews which you can read in the book, Just Us Folk: We Shift and Remain.