Donna Mogavero Biography

     Donna Mogavero has a history in Columbus Ohio. She has been performing music for over thirty years which has labeled her an icon, a legend a "diva" and a big fish in a little sea. To label her music is another animal. Her voice is thick and smokey yet soft and crystal clear, powerful yet tender. She is a competent rhythm guitar player, preferring a standard tuning, which has set her apart from many of today's "singer/songwriters". Her songs are colorful reflections of the times at hand written with either a country beat, as a folk song, a bluesy ballad or straight up rock n roll. 

In 1992 Donna was one of four, and the only woman, to win the first annual Recorded Music Grant presented by Metropolis Recording Studio. The Columbus Edge Readers Poll voted Donna #1 singer/songwriter; #1 favorite vocalist, female. 

In 1994 Donna was the recipient of four honors in The Greater Columbus Music Awards. "Outstanding Acoustic Solo Performance", "Outstanding Folk Singer Vocalist", "Outstanding Rock Singer Vocalist and Talent Deserving Wider Recognition", won the honor of "Best Female Vocalist" in the Columbus Guardian readers poll. 

Unlike any other local musician Donna Mogavero is best known for her original music and it could be said that she is Columbus's own female "singer/songwriter".

A standard not easily acquired. Her talent as a songwriter has brought her wider recognition in the "singer/songwriter" world.

In 1995 Donna released her first solo CD simply titled "ACOUSTIC". Catching the ear of one of Nashville's heavy hitting session bass player, Dave Pomeroy (Trisha Yearwood) showed such a great interest in Donna, that he collaborated and showcased with her in Nashville.

1996 found Donna in Los Angeles  California. After only a few months, Donna's newly penned song Vines was selected out of hundreds of singer/songwriters to appear on a compilation disc released by then Sapphire Records titled "12 of the Best Acoustic Alternative Acts 2623 Main Street Santa Monica vol 1".

Loaded down and heading out, in 1997 Donna returned home from L.A. to Columbus Ohio with more vigor than ever before and the works for a new CD was just onthe horizon.

With a little help from her friends, in 1999 Donna released her second CD "Out of the Nest". Recorded in Nashville Tennessee at Humm Depot and John Schwab Recording in Columbus Ohio, Out of the Nest is a collaboration of emotions.  It's a trip from Columbus Ohio to Nashville Tennessee across the country to Santa Fe New Mexico to Southern California and back again. Produced by Rob McNelly who was instrumental in bringing in some of Nashville's best. Steve Ebe (Tanya Tucker) on drums, Jay Weaver (Tanya Tucker) on bass and Jerry Dale McFadden ( The Mavericks & Six Pence None the Richer) on keyboards and  accordion. Producer Rob McNelly (Lady Antebellum, Tinsley Ellis, The Judds) lays down some of the coolest guitar work one will ever hear. The performance of the music alone is stellar. 

Out of the Nest was reviewed in the AAA industry trade magazine "Totally Adult" by John Schoenberger where he simply put "just one listen to Donna Mogavero's Out of the Nest makes you wonder why the hell didn't I know about Mogavero sooner?"

Taylor Guitar was so taken by this Cd that they sponsored her in two national showcases in the year 2000. She performed at the 2000 National Folk Alliance in Cleveland, Ohio and The 2000 NAMN Conference in Nashville. Hear what Taylor has to say about Donna at Taylor guitar under indie artists. 

Out of the Nest received widespread radio airplay on AAA stations across the country and was even heard on the prestigious World Cafe with David Dye. Out of the Nest was also nominated for two Greater Columbus Music Awards 2000. Excellence in Songwriting and received the award for Excellence in Recording.

In 2002 Donna released her 3rd CD "LIVE".  This CD is a recording of songs with just her acoustic guitar and vocals. A pure signature recording of original material presented in her solo performance.  Donna Mogavero is not just any "woman with a guitar". She is seasoned, polished and professional. 

Currently Donna is performing regularly in central Ohio.