Folk
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States

Denison Witmer is an American singer-songwriter from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, United States. His first release, in 1995, was a cassette titled My Luck, My Love. He has since released six studio LPs; two live albums, a cover album (Recovered); three EPs; and an LP with The River Bends — a side project consisting of members of the Philadelphia-based alt-country band One Star Hotel. Witmer's 2005 album, Are You a Dreamer?, produced by Don Peris of The Innocence Mission and featuring Sufjan Stevens, received acclaim, including positive reviews from Pitchfork Media and Entertainment Weekly. Witmer and Stevens appeared on Rosie Thomas's 2007 album These Friends of Mine, an album which included Rosie Thomas' version of “Paper Doll,” a track originally written and recorded by Witmer. Witmer toured with Rosie Thomas in support of that album in venues across the US and Europe.

Witmer's style has been described as “neo-folk.” He has also been compared to 1970s-era singer-songerwriters, including Cat Stevens and Nick Drake. Witmer's lyrics are poetic and thoughtful; his guitar work, while simple-sounding, relies on complex finger-picking.

Denison Witmer was born and raised in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He was raised Mennonite and attended Lancaster Mennonite School. His guitar teacher was Don Peris.

Before becoming a full-time musician, Witmer worked in the greenhouse which his family owned.

Witmer's and all of his brothers' full names have the initials “DSW.”

Witmer released a cassette tape titled My Luck, My Love in 1995. The album was recorded as a project for an English class during Witmer's senior year of high school. Only 250 copies were made, and the album was given to family and friends. Though My Luck, My Love is Witmer's first release, he does not view it as his true debut but as the extension of a hobby.

1995 Independent

Denison Witmer - vocals, guitar

Ryan Burkhart - Guitar on “My Luck, My Love” and “Prayer Song”
Douglas Witmer - Background guitar on “Prayer Song”

1. So You Took My Love
2. Monday at 2:30
3. Lift My Head Up From My Knees
4. Good Cry
5. Take What You Need
6. My Luck, My Love
7. I’m On My Way
8. Master of Being Alone
9. Prayer Song
10. Say You’ll Stick Around

(…to be continued…)