Brian Keith Wallen is a writer, speaker, musician, and music historian based in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A 2nd place winner at the International Blues Challenge, Brian has performed at renowned venues and festivals including Telluride Blues Fest, Durango Blues Train, Hiawatha Music Fest and Co-Op, and Bluesfest Eutin in Germany, as well as stages across the United States and abroad. He has released multiple albums, opened for Bernie Sanders, and has had his music featured on NPR and Deutschlandfunk. As a full-time musician, Brian performs his original music as a solo artist, as one half of The Wallens duo with his wife Molly, and with Marquette, Michigan based groups The Make-Believe Spurs and the Blackrocks House Band.

As a dynamic speaker and performer, Brian brings the lives of legendary musicians vividly to the stage. Through compelling storytelling, archival insight, and live musical performance, he explores the artistry and cultural impact of icons such as Woody Guthrie, John Prine, Bob Dylan, and the Grateful Dead. Blending historical research with engaging narrative, Brian reveals the human stories behind the music, examining creative breakthroughs, personal struggles, and the social movements that shaped their sound. His presentations are ideal for universities, libraries, concert halls, and cultural organizations seeking programs that both educate and inspire.