DONNIE REIS

Donnie is one half of the country music duo, War Hippies. The duo first struck a chord with the release last year of their debut single, Killin’ It. The official music video premiered on The Country Network and took the No. 1 spot on the Top 40 Chart, remaining in the Top 5 for more than 20 weeks. It was also the top featured video on CMT.com. War Hippies’ second single, The Hangman, also charted on TCN’s Top 40 Chart and won a Telly Award in 2023 for Craft Videography/Cinematography. Both singles have landed in top positions on the official VEVO True Country playlist and garnered over 2M video views. Their self-titled debut album was released world-wide in October 2022; in its first week, the album reached No. 8 on the iTunes Country chart and No. 30 across all genres. 

With a combined 25 years of touring experience and more than 30 million streams, neither is a stranger to musical success. An award-winning songwriter, Brown has collected numerous industry accolades and toured extensively with Charlie Daniels, Travis Tritt, the Marshall Tucker Band, Whiskey Myers and others, while Reis is a world-renowned violinist who has spent years on the road playing violin/fiddle, keys and guitars and written and recorded hit songs for a variety of artists as well as film and TV projects. 

The pair’s throwback country feel, unique stories and positive message resonates with both fans and fellow artists alike – Randy Travis joined War Hippies on stage for their debut headlining performance and Tritt, along with Chris Janson, added the duo to their 2022 ‘Can’t Miss Tour’ months before War Hippies even released their first single. 

2023 continues with more touring and new music on the horizon, with support from Harley-Davidson, Nine Line Apparel, Club Wyndham, and Notes Live.

Donnie is Owner and Executive Producer at Twelve 3 South, Nashville, TN. Donnie began producing artists between tours out of his first studio in Tipp City, OH in 2013.  As production demands increased, Donnie designed, built, and opened his new studio in Nashville, TN in 2017.

Donnie emerged as a musical prodigy early on, picking up violin at the age of 10 and quickly mastering the instrument. He won his first of several solo competitions at the age of 14, and gained national recognition as concertmaster of several symphony orchestras and pit orchestras, while also finding time to excel in high-school sports. Although steeped in the classics, he was equally inspired by country and rock, loving Charlie Daniels and Aerosmith as much as Tchaikovsky and Rimsky-Korsakov. 

He has played around the world on various tours, the 45th Presidential Inauguration and Balls, and even had the honor of standing in for the late Charlie Daniels with The Charlie Daniels Band at Bridgestone Arena.

Currently, you'll find Donnie on tour as one half of the country music duo, War Hippies.

Donnie launched his own line, The Donnie Reis Collection, in 2017.

In 2023, Donnie started War Hippies Gives, a philanthropic program with Sweetwater that provides stringed instruments and education to kids that otherwise wouldn't have access.

Despite receiving a full music scholarship to Miami University, after completing his Sophomore year, Donnie chose not to pursue a career in classical music. Instead, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and began preparations for combat after watching the attack on America, September 11th, 2001. He deployed for a year in Iraq at the height of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005. He was honorably discharged in 2009.

Since then, Donnie has returned to bases all over the world on multiple MWR and USO tours to entertain troops and connect with fellow warriors.

"Remember This" by Home Free

Billboard Charts:
#2 Country Album Sales
#2 Independent Albums
#4 Top Country Albums
#44 Billboard Top 200
#8 Top Album Sales
#8 Top Current Albums
#9 Digital Albums

"That's Why We Celebrate" by Straight No Chaser

Billboard Charts:
#23 Adult Contemporary

"Money Tree" by Caroline Glaser

Billboard Chart:
#6 Hot Singles Sales
iTunes Chart:
#2 Singer/Songwriter

"Great and Mighty" by Byron Cage

Billboard Charts:
#1 and #3 Top Gospel Album
#2 and #5 Christian/Gospel Album

#3 Compilation Album
#8 Hot Gospel Songs
#8 Gospel Airplay

#43 Top Album Sales
#155 Billboard Top 200

"Champion" by Tye Tribbett

Billboard Charts:
#1 Top Gospel Album
#23 Gospel Digital Song
#60 Billboard Top 200

Donnie has toured with, produced, worked and/or played with: The Charlie Daniels Band, Scooter Brown, Foreigner, The Frontmen of Country [Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Tim Rushlow (Little Texas), Larry Stewart (Restless Heart)], Lee Greenwood, Home Free, Straight No Chaser, Jon McLaughlin, Zayn, Tyler Jay, Grace Vanderwaal, Jonathan Jackson, Amy Lee, Caroline Glaser, Erick Baker (+ Heart, Edwin McCain, Ed Kowalczyk), Champion Band (+ Byron Cage, Tye Tribbett) and multiple film and TV networks.