Donnie Reis
- Music Department
- Composer
- Soundtrack
Donnie Reis is known for his high-energy and deep, emotion-evoking songs and performances. He is a long-time songwriter, producer, and violinist across multiple genres as well as a U.S. Army Combat Veteran and owner of Twelve 3 South Recording in Nashville, TN.
Veteran, Violinist, Composer, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Builder...Indeed, the Ohio-bred artist's history reads like the synopsis of a great American novel or a classic Hollywood film. But it's all true, and his diverse experiences inform the artist's vivid, heartfelt songwriting and his emotionally direct singing.
Donnie performs his indelible compositions with a rocking urgency that reflects the focused work ethic that's central to this front-man's approach to music and life. He writes catchy, emotionally resonant songs that capture the trials and triumphs of real life, and he performs them with a level of passion and precision that's as inspiring as it is infectious. Whether he's singing about the challenges of life ("Start Over") love("A Dozen Roses") and self-esteem ("I'll Be Alright"), or channeling the consciousness of a soldier fighting overseas ("6000 Miles"). Donnie's songs consistently carry the unmistakable ring of truth, and they're delivered with the insight of one who's lived a rich and eventful life.
Born into a supportive working-class family in the Cincinnati area, Donnie Reis emerged as a musical prodigy early on, picking up violin at the age of 10 and quickly mastering the instrument. He won his first of several solo competitions at the age of 14, and gained national recognition as concertmaster of several symphony orchestras and pit orchestras, while also finding time to excel in high-school sports. Although steeped in the classics, he was equally inspired by country and rock, loving Garth Brooks and the Eagles as much as Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov.
Despite receiving a full music scholarship to Miami University, after completing his Freshman year, Donnie chose not to pursue a career in classical music. Instead, he followed his family's tradition and enlisted in the U.S. Army and eventually serving for a year in Iraq at the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005. Fatefully, Donnie brought an old acoustic guitar with him to Iraq, and began writing songs to pass the time.
By the time he returned home, he was intent on honing his songwriting skills and instrumental chops, and determined to make music his life's work. "I had an epiphany over there," he explains. "Experiencing war gave me a new perspective and made me realize that the next chapter in my life could be used for good, writing songs and playing music for others. When I got back, I pretty much hit the ground running with my music."
Drawing upon the same discipline that had served him so well during his classical days and his military stint, Donnie swiftly established himself as a skilled musician, songwriter and producer, and found his talents to be in demand in multiple genres. He achieved substantial success as a member and co-producer of the popular gospel group Champion, whose songs appeared on multiple albums which topped Billboard's Gospel chart and crossed over into the mainstream charts. Donnie also paid his dues collaborating with a wide array of artists and musicians, and composing music for TV soundtracks.
In 2013 Donnie officially launched Twelve 3 South Recording, a state-of-the-art recording studio, where he's produced, engineered and provided arrangements for a wide range of artists. The studio is now located in Nashville, TN, where Donnie and his family reside.
Veteran, Violinist, Composer, Singer, Songwriter, Producer, Builder...Indeed, the Ohio-bred artist's history reads like the synopsis of a great American novel or a classic Hollywood film. But it's all true, and his diverse experiences inform the artist's vivid, heartfelt songwriting and his emotionally direct singing.
Donnie performs his indelible compositions with a rocking urgency that reflects the focused work ethic that's central to this front-man's approach to music and life. He writes catchy, emotionally resonant songs that capture the trials and triumphs of real life, and he performs them with a level of passion and precision that's as inspiring as it is infectious. Whether he's singing about the challenges of life ("Start Over") love("A Dozen Roses") and self-esteem ("I'll Be Alright"), or channeling the consciousness of a soldier fighting overseas ("6000 Miles"). Donnie's songs consistently carry the unmistakable ring of truth, and they're delivered with the insight of one who's lived a rich and eventful life.
Born into a supportive working-class family in the Cincinnati area, Donnie Reis emerged as a musical prodigy early on, picking up violin at the age of 10 and quickly mastering the instrument. He won his first of several solo competitions at the age of 14, and gained national recognition as concertmaster of several symphony orchestras and pit orchestras, while also finding time to excel in high-school sports. Although steeped in the classics, he was equally inspired by country and rock, loving Garth Brooks and the Eagles as much as Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov.
Despite receiving a full music scholarship to Miami University, after completing his Freshman year, Donnie chose not to pursue a career in classical music. Instead, he followed his family's tradition and enlisted in the U.S. Army and eventually serving for a year in Iraq at the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005. Fatefully, Donnie brought an old acoustic guitar with him to Iraq, and began writing songs to pass the time.
By the time he returned home, he was intent on honing his songwriting skills and instrumental chops, and determined to make music his life's work. "I had an epiphany over there," he explains. "Experiencing war gave me a new perspective and made me realize that the next chapter in my life could be used for good, writing songs and playing music for others. When I got back, I pretty much hit the ground running with my music."
Drawing upon the same discipline that had served him so well during his classical days and his military stint, Donnie swiftly established himself as a skilled musician, songwriter and producer, and found his talents to be in demand in multiple genres. He achieved substantial success as a member and co-producer of the popular gospel group Champion, whose songs appeared on multiple albums which topped Billboard's Gospel chart and crossed over into the mainstream charts. Donnie also paid his dues collaborating with a wide array of artists and musicians, and composing music for TV soundtracks.
In 2013 Donnie officially launched Twelve 3 South Recording, a state-of-the-art recording studio, where he's produced, engineered and provided arrangements for a wide range of artists. The studio is now located in Nashville, TN, where Donnie and his family reside.
