The Official Dondino Website

Biography of Dondino

January 30, 1993 – Dondino Day

“The city of Las Vegas wishes to acknowledge Dondino for his outstanding contribution to the betterment of the Las Vegas community, and for his donated time and talents to countless civic organizations throughout the Las Vegas community.”

March 23, 2004

“The flag of the United States of America was flown over the United States Capital today at the request of the Honorable Harry Reid, United States Senator. This flag was flown in honor of Dondino’s Washington performance of his song “Let Freedom Ring” for the U.S. Senators.”

The impact of the international singing sensation Dondino has been felt across the nation and around the world for over thirty years. Born in Italy and raised in Brooklyn, he first set foot on stage at the age of 13. For the first decade of his professional career, Dondino traveled the world, electrifying audiences with his concerts and nightclub act. Often called the “Italian Tony Bennett,” his tightly choreographed, lushly orchestrated shows mixed original work with old standards into a dazzling display of showmanship.

Yet almost as quickly as he burst onto the musical scene, Dondino gave it all up. “I got tired of traveling all over the world performing,” he recalls. “I wanted a sense of home, and that was missing in my life.” He settled in Iowa, opened up a country club and golf course, and there the story might have ended. Only the allure of the stage proved far more difficult to leave behind than Dondino ever imagined. But how could one have both a family life and a career on stage?

The answer lay in the desert……Las Vegas. “At first it was a struggle,” Dondino remembers with a wry grin. “I had my doubts—writing charts, hiring musicians and backup singers, putting a show back together…..and I didn’t have a single gig. Everyone thought I was crazy.” But one job led to a second and word began to spread around town about the talented performer. Then one day a call came from the Four Queens hotel and casino. As a result of that call, for the next 12 years Dondino graced their showroom with six magical performances a week. He attracted fans from around the globe with his stage presence and lavish Vegas production numbers, and in doing so, build a worldwide fan club of over 3500 members.

For all the success, and all the adoration, something was missing once again. That something was the state he had left behind...Iowa. When the renowned Irish writer James Joyce said “You can’t go home again,” he clearly never knew Dondino. For he has come home again, and in doing so, has found himself surrounded by the land and the people of the “heartland” that he so loves. “It’s my chance to give something back,” he says softly, clearly at peace with himself.

Most of Dondino’s career has been shaped by his involvement in humanitarian aid and civic responsibility. Since his return to Iowa, he has been featured on the MDA Telethon, and even wrote the Variety Club Telethon’s theme song that has recently been re-recorded and incorporated into a children’s bilingual picture book entitled My Sunshine Friend, with the proceeds to benefit the Children’s Charity of Iowa.

One other thing certainly hasn’t changed—Dondino’s love for the stage. He has revived his Las Vegas show and brought it home to the Midwest. Few performers can entertain audiences of all ages, races, and genders, but Dondino consistently continues to do just that. Performing in many entertainment venues, he has received rave reviews both locally, nationally and internationally.

Joyce was wrong. You can go home again—and in this case, home is all the richer for it.

Click here to read a press review of Dondino's Vegas show.