Dave Ellingson is an American songwriter, singer and musician who has worked in the music industry for many years. He is widely known as the husband of famous American singer Kim Carnes, but his own career is also worth knowing about. From performing with a popular folk group to writing songs for major artists, Ellingson has been involved in several important moments in American music.
Born on 2 March 1942, Dave Ellingson became interested in music during a period when folk and country songs were finding new audiences across America. His career brought him into contact with talented performers, including Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes. One of his best-known achievements came in 1980 when he helped write Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer, a successful duet recorded by Rogers and Carnes.
Unlike many people in the entertainment world, Ellingson has never been someone who regularly appears in the headlines. He has spent much of his life working on music, spending time with his family and supporting his wife’s career. His story is about more than being married to a famous singer. It is also about his own achievements, creative partnerships and years of dedication to songwriting.
Quick Bio
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David M. Ellingson |
| Popular Name | Dave Ellingson |
| Date of Birth | 2 March 1942 |
| Age | 84 years (as of 2026) |
| Birthplace | United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Singer, Songwriter, Musician, Composer |
| Famous For | Songwriting and marriage to Kim Carnes |
| Music Genre | Pop, Country, Folk |
| Former Music Group | The New Christy Minstrels |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Wife | Kim Carnes |
| Marriage Date | 25 November 1967 |
| Children | Two sons, Collin Ellingson and Ry Ellingson |
Who Is Dave Ellingson?
Dave Ellingson, whose full name is David M. Ellingson, is an American musician and songwriter. He was born on 2 March 1942 and is 84 years old as of October 2026. Throughout his career, he has worked as a singer, composer, instrumentalist and songwriter. Much of his recognition comes from his musical collaborations with Kim Carnes and other established recording artists.
While his wife became famous around the world for her hit songs, Ellingson mostly preferred working away from the spotlight. This does not mean his role was small. Writing a successful song requires imagination, patience and a good understanding of music. Ellingson spent years developing these skills and used them to help create recordings that people still enjoy.
Dave Ellingson’s Early Life and Background
There is not much publicly available information about Dave Ellingson’s childhood. Details about his parents, schools and early family life have not been widely shared. This is partly because Ellingson has rarely spoken about his personal background in public interviews.
His musical career began to take shape during the 1960s, when folk music was particularly popular in the United States. At that time, audiences enjoyed songs built around meaningful lyrics, acoustic instruments and strong vocal harmonies. Many young performers were joining musical groups, hoping to develop their skills and find opportunities in the entertainment business.
Ellingson became involved in this growing music scene. His early experience introduced him to other performers and helped him understand the demands of working professionally. Those connections would later become important in both his career and his personal life.
His Time With The New Christy Minstrels
An important part of Dave Ellingson’s early music career was his involvement with The New Christy Minstrels, an American folk group that became well known during the 1960s. The group featured several singers and musicians who performed together using carefully arranged vocal harmonies.
Being part of such a group gave Ellingson experience in live performance and working with other musicians. Every member had to understand how their voice or instrument fitted into the overall sound. This kind of teamwork was especially valuable for someone who would later build a career around writing songs with other artists.
The New Christy Minstrels also had connections with Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes, two performers who would become central figures in Ellingson’s musical journey. The relationships formed during those early years helped create opportunities for future collaborations.
Dave Ellingson and Kim Carnes: Their Love Story
The relationship between Dave Ellingson and Kim Carnes began through their shared interest in music. Both were involved in the entertainment industry, and their professional lives brought them together. Over time, their friendship developed into a romantic relationship.
The couple married on 25 November 1967. At that time, neither could have known exactly where their musical careers would take them. They were both working towards success, and having a partner who understood the challenges of the industry became an important part of their relationship.
Marriage and music remained closely connected throughout their lives. Ellingson and Carnes worked on songs together while also building a family. Their relationship has lasted through changing musical trends, demanding work schedules and the pressures that often come with entertainment careers.
As of October 2026, they have been married for nearly 59 years. Their long relationship has attracted interest from fans who know Carnes for her international success and want to learn more about the man who has shared her life for decades.
Dave Ellingson’s Songwriting Career
Although many people know Ellingson through his marriage, songwriting has always been one of his main professional achievements. He worked with Kim Carnes on material that was recorded by several recognised artists.
One of their notable songwriting connections was with Frank Sinatra, who recorded You Turned My World Around for his 1974 album Some Nice Things I’ve Missed. The song included writing contributions from Ellingson and Carnes alongside Bert Kaempfert and Herbert Rehbein.
Another song connected to their work was Love Comes from Unexpected Places, which became part of Carnes’ recording career and was also performed by Barbra Streisand.
Writing for different singers required Ellingson to understand how a song could suit a particular voice or musical style. A song written for a country performer might need a different sound from one intended for a traditional pop singer. His work across these areas shows the range of his songwriting experience.
Working With Kenny Rogers on the Gideon Album
One of the most important moments in Dave Ellingson’s professional life came through his collaboration with country music star Kenny Rogers. In 1980, Rogers released the album Gideon, which featured songs written by Ellingson and Kim Carnes.
The album was different from many ordinary music releases because it followed a central story. Its songs focused on a fictional cowboy named Gideon Tanner, allowing listeners to follow his experiences through the music. Creating an album around one character required the writers to connect the songs rather than treat each track as a separate idea.
Ellingson and Carnes worked together to create material that suited Rogers’ voice and storytelling style. The album performed strongly on the country music charts and became another successful project in Rogers’ career.
For Ellingson, the project brought wider recognition to his abilities as a songwriter. It also showed how his partnership with Carnes could produce music for artists outside their own performances.
Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer: His Famous Song
Among the songs connected to Dave Ellingson’s career, Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer remains one of the most familiar. Released in 1980, the song was performed as a duet by Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes.
Ellingson and Carnes wrote the song together. Its lyrics tell the story of a relationship affected by uncertainty, hope and the difficulty of holding on to someone whose dreams may take them elsewhere.
The recording became a major success, reaching number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the American country chart. It also helped introduce Carnes to more listeners through her collaboration with Rogers.
For Ellingson, this success was particularly meaningful because he had helped create a song that connected with audiences across different musical genres. Even though his voice was not the focus of the recording, his contribution remained part of its success.
His Role Behind the Scenes in Music
Not every successful musician spends most of their time standing in front of a microphone. Some work as writers, instrumentalists or members of recording teams. Dave Ellingson has taken on several of these roles during his career.
Along with writing songs, he has worked as a percussionist and background singer. He has also been involved in performances connected with Kim Carnes, helping support the music heard by audiences at live shows.
Ellingson has additionally been involved in music publishing activities. This side of the business deals with the rights and commercial use of songs, an important responsibility for musicians who have written successful material.
His career is a useful reminder that the people behind a recording can be just as important to its creation as the performer whose name appears on the cover.
Dave Ellingson’s Children and Family
Dave Ellingson and Kim Carnes have two sons, Collin Ellingson and Ry Ellingson. Music has played a part in their family life, with both sons having connections to their parents’ creative work.
Collin has been involved in songwriting, including collaborations with his mother. Ry also appeared as a vocalist on Carnes’ 1985 album Barking at Airplanes. Their involvement shows how music has continued to be part of the Ellingson family across different generations.
Despite their connections to well-known performers, the family has generally maintained a fairly low public profile. Ellingson has not made family matters a regular subject of interviews or entertainment coverage.
This has left some details of his home life outside public knowledge, allowing his professional work to remain the main focus of his biography.
Where Is Dave Ellingson Today?
People searching for Dave Ellingson today often want to know whether he is still involved in music and what his life looks like after so many years in the industry.
Ellingson has remained largely away from major media attention in recent years. Public information about his present-day projects is limited, and there are no widely documented details about a major new solo release or extensive public tour.
He continues to be remembered through the songs he helped create, particularly his work with Kim Carnes and Kenny Rogers. His name remains connected to recordings from an important period in American pop and country music.
Rather than building his reputation through constant publicity, Ellingson’s career has been shaped mainly by the music itself.
Why Dave Ellingson Still Interests Music Fans
Many people discover Dave Ellingson after learning about Kim Carnes or listening to older Kenny Rogers recordings. They may recognise the songs without knowing who helped write them.
That is what makes his career interesting. He was involved in creating music that became widely known, yet he did not become a regular celebrity in the same way as the singers who performed it.
His partnership with Carnes is another reason people continue searching for his biography. The couple’s long marriage connects two different sides of the music industry: the public success of a famous recording artist and the quieter work of a songwriter and musician.
For fans interested in the people who helped shape familiar songs, Ellingson’s story offers a look beyond the names that usually receive the most attention.
Conclusion
Dave Ellingson has spent much of his life working in music, from his early days with The New Christy Minstrels to writing successful songs for well-known performers. His work with Kim Carnes and Kenny Rogers remains an important part of his career, particularly the songs created for the Gideon album.
His nearly six-decade marriage to Kim Carnes is also an important part of his life story. They have shared their interest in music while raising a family and building successful careers.
Although Ellingson has generally stayed away from the public spotlight, his songwriting achievements remain part of American music history. His story shows how much work takes place behind familiar songs and why the people who write them deserve to be remembered.
(FAQs)
Who is Dave Ellingson?
Dave Ellingson is an American singer, musician, composer and songwriter. He is best known for his work with Kenny Rogers and his marriage to singer Kim Carnes.
How old is Dave Ellingson?
Dave Ellingson was born on 2 March 1942. He is 84 years old as of October 2026.
Who is Dave Ellingson’s wife?
Dave Ellingson is married to Kim Carnes, an American singer famous for Bette Davis Eyes. They married on 25 November 1967.
Does Dave Ellingson have children?
Yes. Dave Ellingson and Kim Carnes have two sons, Collin Ellingson and Ry Ellingson, who have both been involved in music.
What song made Dave Ellingson famous?
One of Dave Ellingson’s best-known songwriting credits is Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer, the 1980 hit duet by Kenny Rogers and Kim Carnes.
