Grammy Award-winning and multi-platinum recording artist Dino Kartsonakis is one of the premier performers of our time. At the height of his 6 decade long career (between rigorous touring schedules, television appearances and a hosted network show) it is estimated that over 80 million people witnessed Dino’s epic piano performances each year. From his sold-out concerts at Carnegie Hall with the Manhattan Pops Orchestra, to the honor of being the first person to ever perform inside the Tower of David, Jerusalem. Dino has captured the world with his unique talent and exceptional showmanship.
A two time Grammy Award nominee, one time Grammy Award Winner, eight time Dove Award winner, a Telly Award winner and the recipient of the Artist Music Guild’s Heritage Lifetime Achievement Award. Dino’s talent and performance prowess all started at the age of three when he sat at his grandmother’s upright piano in New York City and played both melody and harmony of a hymn he heard that morning at church. Dino grew into his talents and later studied at the Julliard School of Music. From there he traveled to European conservatories to study under the tutelage of legendary pianist Arthur Rubenstein and the great Nadia Boulanger. When Dino was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War, he was selected for special services and used his stage talent to represent America in order to help public relations between the United States and Germany.
Dino got his first big career opportunity as pianist for the evangelist Kathryn Kuhlman. He began performing in crusades around the world and on Ms. Kuhlman’s network television show. Making a name for himself, Dino ventured out on his own and landed his first recording contract. He toured the world, playing for over 50,000 people at Angel Stadium, President Jimmy Carter’s Cambodian Relief Dinner and President Ronald Regan’s Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C. Then came a call from the Chinese government asking Dino to play at the University Of China and Tiananmen Square. An historic event attended by thousands. Moscow, Russia was next. The Hollywood Bowl, Lincoln Center and the list goes on and on. Dino has traveled extensively and produced well over 50 albums on his own as well as mainstream labels. Aside from touring the world Dino made countless network television appearances since the age of sixteen, plus his highly rated talk show “The Dino Show” produced and hosted by he and his wife Cheryl Kartsonakis. For over 25 years they wowed audiences around the globe in over 200 countries with a variety of celebrity guests as well as performances by Dino and Cheryl. In 2000, Dino joined forces with QVC, the 4th largest network in the U.S. in an auction benefiting MusicCares, a charitable organization that helps struggling musicians and entertainers. For over 30 years, Dino performed his critically acclaimed stage show in Branson, MO where he and his wife reside today.
In 2007, to the surprise and delight of his fans Dino and Cheryl opened “Dino’s 24Karrot Cake Company”, with an high end Cafe located in Branson, Missouri, also shipping their “Celebrity Favorite” cakes nationwide. This year Dino’s cakes will be featured in the coveted Neiman Marcus Catalog and served at select Neiman Marcus restaurants.
Dino is not only an entertainer, but a husband and father of two daughters; Christina and Cherie, grandfather to Lauren and Alexandra and great-grandfather to Mae, Oscar, Everest and Ellory.
