Chad Elliott

"Normally billed as a folk singer, Elliott's songs all tell finely crafted stories and his mastery of written word is apparent on all of them." - Broken Jukebox.com Chad Elliott was always hoping to be a visual artist. He grew up painting and drawing while acting in community theater productions and singing in choirs. Something changed when he picked up a guitar and slowly taught himself how to play and write songs. Painting images could also be created with words and melodies. Stories could paint pictures for listeners without the mess. He immediately started performing his original songs while still pursuing art and going to graduate school for art. Now averaging close to 200 shows per year, Elliott has been on the road for nearly 20 years taking audiences on a roller coaster of humor, whimsy and down home storytelling and song each night. His music has been featuring on Iowa Public Radio's- Java Blend and several Iowa Public Television documentaries. He still works as an artist while residing in Coon Rapids, IA with his wife, Alyssa, and three wonderful children. Inspired by his favorite children's author Shel Silverstein, Chad has just finished a children's book and album of song lyrics and poems called Wilderman's Treetop Tales. Learn more about Wilderman’s at www.wildermansbooks.com. He is also currently working on his 20th studio album of Americana music in Nashville, set to release in 2015. Learn more about Chad Elliott at www.chadelliott.net. Awards and Honors ● 2014 Mountain Stage NewSong Regional Finalist (Midwest) ● 2013 Broken Jukebox's Top 25 Albums of the Year ● 2013 International Blues Challenge ● 2013 Rising Star - Finalist ● 2012 Show Me the Music Song Contest - Finalist - Americana ● 2012 Int. Folk Alliance Conference - Official Showcase Artist ● 2011 Iowa Motion Picture Awards - Best Original Music Score ● 2011 Mixies Award - "Most Creative Tour" - One Horse Town Tour ● 2009 International Songwriting Contest - 3rd Place Winner - Americana ● 2009 Woody Guthrie Song Contest - 1st Place Winner ● 2008 Kerrville New Folk - Finalist ● 2006 Folk Alley Open Mic- Grand Prize Winner ● 2006 Just Plain Folks - Top 20 New Folk Songs