Brad Dunse is an up close and personal songwriter who will steal your heart with candid lyrics laced through warm clear melodies in a mix of genres and styles. Brad isn’t afraid to tackle sensitive topics in his writing while holding on to his family friendly performance.
Inspired to learn guitar by watching his uncle play for family events, Brad took to the guitar at a young age. Never planning on performing publically, he felt free to develop his own guitar style by weaving the percussive rhythms and grooves of the songs from his childhood into the multi-layered and textured sound he coaxed from his guitar which distinguishes his work.
After playing occasionally in church settings, Brad was sought after to play in worship bands in churches he attended, stretching from the nation’s heartland to Texas. He’s shared the stage with many talented players including session guitarist turned pastor- Mike Deasy (Beach Boys, Richie Valens, Elvis), one of the most recorded guitarists in music history.
After writing and performing some of his own songs in public, Brad discovered he could touch his audiences more deeply with his original songs on topics drawn from his own life experiences, and then set out to focus on his writing career. He joined Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and SongU where he’s had multiple nominations as Best Of SongU.
Charlie's Theme, an instrumental piece, has been heard by video game and animation companies through its digital implant in the portfolio of internationally published cartoonist Raymond “Sketch” Gustafson (Toy Story-Disney Animation).
With encouragement from Nashville hit writer Jon Vezner (Kathy Mattea, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Milsap, Lorrie Morgan), Brad increased his performance schedule and subsequently was in demand to team up on projects with other songwriters.
Continuing his solo writing, he went on to pen a “cartune” which aired on National Public Radio’s “Car Talk with Click and Clack.” Under audience pressure to release a CD of original material, he recorded and released Old Time Road, a mix of studio and live performance recordings.
Brad was intent on becoming more involved with the local songwriting scene and helping other writers, and joined the Minnesota Association of Songwriters (MAS), becoming part of the organization’s Board of Directors.
Unable to join the military himself, Brad was honored to be able to touch the hearts of many veterans nationwide as a co-writer of The Wall,” a tribute song to the memory of fallen soldiers listed on the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington DC.
Brad continues to balance his time between performing, participating in various songwriting organizations, and writing new material for a second CD scheduled to be released the first half of 2011.
Brad’s music has been heard by audiences tuning into media outlets such as National Public Radio, Wisconsin Public Radio, KFAI 90.3 Minneapolis/106.7 St. Paul, Q93 – WCYQ Knoxville, I-Web Radio, Hoorah Radio, current rotation on Twin Cities Radio.net as well past appearances on “Late Night Minneapolis” and “When Worlds Collide hosted by Lonnie Knight”. Brad’s songs have also been covered by several other performing songwriters including legendary folk artist Lonnie Knight and rising country artist Shane Wyatt.
Brad is or has been a member of Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), Minnesota Association of Songwriters (MAS), American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP), Just Plain Folks (JPF), and SongU.
“Each second we are on this earth is a gift. My hope is at the night’s end the listening audience exits the room with the same level of appreciation for our gift exchange as I have playing for them.” –Brad Dunse