Denny Diamond

I'm an easy setup. I don't take up too much space but, it all depends on the size of the crowd and the room. I like to arrive at least 90 minutes before the performance to make sure everything will work out for both you and me.

I don’t dress like or impersonate Neil. I have been told I sound like Neil but, my whole performance is to have fun and celebrate the music. I do dress nicely. I don’t do ripped jeans and t-shirts. If a dressing area can be provided that would be nice.

Denny Diamond: Born to Sing (And He Hasn’t Stopped Since)
Some people discover their passion late in life. Not Dennis Svehla. Since 1977, this Illinois entertainer — better known to his fans as Denny Diamond — has been doing what he was born to do: standing in front of an audience and singing his heart out, and he has absolutely no intention of stopping anytime soon.

The stage name says it all, really. Ask anyone who’s seen Denny perform and they’ll tell you the same thing — this is someone who doesn’t just sing Neil Diamond songs, he becomes them. Over the decades, Denny has become the go-to guy for Diamond’s iconic catalog, delivering “Sweet Caroline,” “Cracklin’ Rosie,” “Cherry Cherry” and the rest with the kind of ease and authenticity that only comes from truly loving what you do. Audiences don’t just enjoy it — they sing along, they light up, they feel it. It’s that kind of show.

And here’s something Denny hears all the time from the people who come to see him. They’ll walk up after a show with a big smile and say something like, “My mom used to blast Neil Diamond every Saturday while she cleaned the house,” or “We sang every word on every family road trip — Neil was always on.” Those stories never get old, because they reveal something true and beautiful about this music — it isn’t just songs, it’s the soundtrack of people’s lives. Family memories. Weekend mornings. Long summer drives with the windows down. Denny understands that when he walks on stage, he’s not just performing — he’s taking people back to some of the warmest moments of their lives, and he never takes that responsibility lightly.

But here’s the thing about Denny that might surprise you — underneath all that Diamond polish beats the heart of a Broadway-trained performer. Formally trained in musical theatre, he has a deep and genuine love for the stage, and it shows in every performance. The discipline, the drama, the storytelling — it all finds its way into everything Denny does, and it’s a big part of what makes him more than just a tribute act. He’s a real entertainer.

Nothing makes that clearer than one of the most talked-about moments in any Denny Diamond show. When he launches into “All I Ask of You” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s beloved Phantom of the Opera, something shifts in the room. Audiences who came expecting a Neil Diamond night suddenly find themselves leaning forward as that rich, full-throated bass-baritone voice fills the space with a power and beauty they didn’t see coming. And just when the emotion is at its peak, Denny turns to his trusted duet partner — his speaker — and plays the role of both lovestruck performers with a wink and a smile that brings the house down. It’s the perfect blend of genuine vocal artistry and pure, warm-hearted fun. First they’re amazed. Then they’re laughing. Then they’re on their feet.

You can catch Denny regularly at the beloved White Fence Farm in Romeoville, Illinois, where he performs throughout the year to packed and enthusiastic crowds. But if you miss him there, don’t worry — he keeps a busy schedule across the Midwest, bringing his show to Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, and Wisconsin. And then there’s Nashville, Tennessee, which Denny proudly calls his second home, because when you love music as much as this man does, Music City has a way of pulling you in.

Nearly five decades in, Denny Diamond is proof that when you find your calling early and commit to it completely, the music never gets old. Neither does the fun.

Here’s a short list of venues I’ve performed at;

Dick Clark’s American Bandstand Theatre, Branson, MO.
Doug Gabriel Theatre, Branson, MO.
Woodstock Opera House, Woodstock, Il.
Grand Opera House, Dubuque, Ia.
Pheasant Run, St. Charles, Il.
The Metropolis, Arlington Heights, Il.
Sandwich Opera House, Sandwich, Il.
White Pines Dinner Theatre, Mt. Morris, Il.
Starved Rock Dinner Theatre, Utica, Il.
Germano’s Cabaret, Baltimore, MD.
OC Jamboree, Ocean City, MD.
Historic North Theatre, Danville, Va.
Newport Syndicate Dinner Theatre, Newport, Ky.
Goomba’s Dinner Theatre, Clermont, Fl.
The Bunganut Pig, Franklin, Tn.
The Schermerhorn, Nashville, Tn.
The Sabre Room, Hickory Hills, Il.
Punxsutawney 4th of July Festival, Punxsutawney, Pa.

If I am performing solo I typically need one plug close by and enough room for me and my equipment. A 12 foot long by 6 foot wide area should do the trick.

If you are providing sound for my solo act or for the full band contact me for stage plots and input lists.