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Denver's Best Local Songwriters

With the Rocky Mountains at its doorstep, Denver is a beautiful and inspiring place to live. Perhaps that's why some of Denver's best songwriters consistently pump out great music. Whether writing for top national bands or playing for the local scene, here are our top picks for best local songwriters in Denver.
RyanTedder
Ryan Tedder is a leading man in the songwriting business. (Credit: Ryan Tedder)

Ryan Tedder

www.myspace.com/aliastheproducer

Writing hits such as "Halo" for Beyonce, "Battlefield" for Jordin Sparks and "Already Gone" for Kelly Clarkson, Ryan Tedder is a leading man in the songwriting business. And he's only just getting started. Front man for the Denver-based band One Republic, Tedder is a prolific songwriter for the biggest names in music, and he wants to make Denver a destination for music production. Deeply rooted in various genres, Tedder is a go-to man for artists looking for their next big single. Writer of the worldwide hit "Apologize" by One Republic, Tedder stands to mold the music of the next decade – and he enjoys doing it from his studio in Denver.

NathanielRateliff
Nathaniel Rateliff has called Denver home since he was 18. (Credit: nathanielrateliff.com)

Nathaniel Rateliff

www.nathanielrateliff.com

The indie scene in Denver knows Nathaniel Rateliff well. Though he was born in Missouri, Rateliff has called Denver home since he was 18. No stranger to hard work, he worked as a carpenter and at a trucking company before jumping onto the music scene. His sound runs the gamut from country to folk to R&B. His first album, "In Memory of Loss" debuted in April 2010. The moving songs are filled with melancholy and rough candor. Some of his music contains hints of gospel, which harken back to his religious upbringing. Popular on the local Denver scene, Rateliff is breaking out on the national front as well.

ElanaRogers
Elana Rogers made her Denver debut with "One of Those Days" in 2005. (Credit: elanarogers.com)

Elana Rogers

www.elanarogers.com

Within the Denver music community, Elana Rogers is a mainstay. This singer/songwriter made her Denver debut with "One of Those Days" in 2005, when it received excellent local reviews. She has since performed at the Denver People's Fair and the Gothic Theater and was the showcase at the Durango Songwriter's Expo. Rogers battled breast cancer in 2009, and the experience gave her even more incentive to pursue her music with gusto. She recently released her sophomore CD, "Someone Like You," which is a mixture of old and new material. Whether playing alone or with her band, "Elana Rogers & The Reason," Rogers has emotion and depth that draws you into her music.

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