Brett Dennen

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Brett Dennen

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Img_capt = Brett Dennen live in concert
Background = solo_singer
Born = birth date and age|1979|10|28
Origin = Oakdale, California, United States
Instrument = guitar
Genre = folk
Label = Downtown Records
Occupation = musician, songwriter
Years_active = 2004–present
URL = http://www.brettdennen.net/

Brett Dennen (born October 28, 1979 [cite web|accessdate=2008-04-08|url=http://www.vh1.com/artists/interview/1582583/20080229/dennen__brett.jhtml|title=The User's Guide: Brett Dennen |publisher=VH1|date=2007-03-03|author=Harris, Lauren ] ) is a folk/pop singer-songwriter from Oakdale, California. He has been compared to Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Tracy Chapman, Jack Johnson, Paul Simon, James Taylor, and Wynonna Judd. Fact|date=June 2007

In 2004, Dennen released his first self-titled album, "Brett Dennen". His second album was "So Much More", which includes the singles "Ain't No Reason", "She's Mine", and "Darlin' Do Not Fear". A few songs charted as iTunes top downloads in the days following the album's release in November 2006.Fact|date=April 2008 Dennen also contributed a cover of "Private Life" to the 2006 tribute album "Drink To Bones That Turn To Dust: A Toast To Oingo Boingo".

Dennen's music has been featured in several television shows, including"Roadtrip Nation" on PBS, "Grey's Anatomy", the "House" episode "Family", "The Unit" episode "Freefall", and the "Scrubs" episode "My No Good Reason". He also appeared live on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on April 8th, 2008. In addition to television series, Dennen's music has also been used in national advertising campaigns for companies such as Hilton Hotels.

He has toured extensively across the U.S. with his band (including drummer Randy Schwartz), supporting such musicians as John Mayer and guitar duo Rodrigo y Gabriela. In 2007 he toured with Guster and singer-songwriters Meiko and Joshua James.

Dennen has been a part of The Mosaic Project, San Francisco Bay Area based nonprofit, since its inception. The Mosaic Project works towards a peaceful future by uniting young children of diverse backgrounds, providing them with essential skills to thrive in an increasingly diverse society, and empowering them to strive for peace. As The Mosaic Project's Resident Rock Star, Dennen created an original musical curriculum for the program, which they released as an album called "Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World," in 2003. It won a Children's Music Web 2004 Award and a Parent's Choice 2004 Approved Award.

In November, 2007, Dennen was named as one of Rolling Stone Magazine's "10 Artists To Watch." [cite web|accessdate=2008-04-08|url=http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story/17323880/artist_to_watch_brett_dennen|title=Artist to Watch: Brett Dennen |publisher=Rolling Stone|date= 2007-11-14|author=O'Donnell, Kevin]

In 2008, Entertainment Weekly named Dennen a "Guy on the Rise", one of 8 emerging singer-songwriters. [ [http://www.ew.com/ew/gallery/0,,20198989,00.html Brett Dennen | Guys on the Rise: 8 Emerging Singer-Songwriters | Photos | EW.com ] ] After a spring tour co-headlining with Mason Jennings and opening act, Missy Higgins, Brett will go into the studio to record his 3rd release. He'll head out on the road this summer with John Mayer and Colbie Caillat hitting festivals such as the Rothbury Music Festival in Michigan and the Mile High Music Festival in Colorado. [http://www.brettdennen.net]

Dennen is currently signed to Downtown Records through a partnership with Dualtone. [ [http://2008.sxsw.com/music/showcases/band/72295.html"SXSW Showcasing Artists 2008"] ]

In 2008 Dennen along with (Jason Mraz) contributed the song "Long Road to Forgiveness" to the Survival International charity album "Songs for Survival".

In 2008 Dennen toured Australia with Pete Murray.

Discography

Studio Albums

*"Brett Dennen" (2004)
*"So Much More" (2006)
*"Hope for the Hopeless" (2008)

Live Albums & EPs

*"Peace - EP" (2006)
*"(More) So Much More" (2007)

Other Contributions

*"Children's Songs for Peace and a Better World" (2003)
*"Drink To Bones That Turn To Dust: A Toast To Oingo Boingo" (2006)
*"Don't Think Twice, It's Alright" - Ted Lennon & Brett Dennen (2007)
*"CLIF GreenNotes Protect the Places We Play" (2008) [http://www.clifgreennotes.com/ Find It Here]
*"Songs for Survival" (2008)

References

External links

* [http://telluride.plumtv.com/node/4572 Brett Dennen at Telluride Bluegrass Festival]
* [http://www.brettdennen.net/ Official site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/brettdennen Brett Dennen's MySpace]
* [http://www.messagesastray.com/ Official Brett Dennen Message Board]
* [http://www.mosaicproject.org/ The Mosaic Project's site]