Billy Dean is an American Troubadour who has mastered the art of singing, songwriting, and storytelling. His unique ability to morph into the characters in his songs, brings the storyline to life, captivating his audiences with musical drama.
Billy’s finger style acoustic guitar playing is reminiscent of James Taylor, and is percussive in nature. “I’ve never heard so much music coming from one man and one guitar. He’s the best I’ve ever seen”, says award winning producer/songwriter Monty Powell.
No matter what venue he performs in, large or small, with his band or just solo, Billy’s charismatic charm and approachable personality puts you, the listener, in an intimate living room setting, where he touches every emotional nerve, leaving you musically nourished with a renewed Spirit.
Although Billy’s best known in the Country Music genre for his 11 top ten singles, 5 number one’s and over 4 million albums sold, his musical roots are entangled with Folk, Southern Rock, Bluegrass and Classic Country.
Billy says his musical influences are ongoing, but his sound will forever have the finger prints of those troubadour’s who came before him like James Taylor, Dan Fogelberg, John Denver, The Eagles, Christopher Cross, David Gates and Bread, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Don Williams.
Billy Dean has been nominated by every major music award entity. Most recently he was inducted into the Florida Hall Of Fame for artist.
His accolades includes a Grammy participate award for Country Salutes Gospel, a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year, for Somewhere in My Broken Heart which went on to win The Song Of The Year at The ACM awards in 1992. That same year, Billy Dean won Top new Male vocalist of the Year at the Academy of Country Music awards, and was nominated by the CMA for the Horizon award. Billy was also recognized by the CMA,(country music association) for "Album, and Producer of the Year" for his work and contribution to The Common Threads album.
After a decade of touring, Billy took time to focus on family, and songwriting. He left Capital Records and signed with Curb records for the release of his 2004 album "Let Them Be Little". The single was a career radio smash and spent 10 weeks in the top ten of the Billboard chart. Let them be Little still sells over a thousand downloads a week around Mothers Day and Fathers Day.
Musical Influences: Billy Dean Sr., James Taylor, Merle Haggard, Kenny Rogers
TV Acting Roles: One Life To Live, Lois and Clark, Wings, Diagnosis Murder
Movie Acting Roles: A Face to Kill For, Blue Valley Songbird
TV Hosting Roles: Lifetime TV Special, Good Morning Texas, Prime Time Country, ABC In Concert Country (1994 Season)
TV Appearances:
CBS This Morning, CNN, E! Entertainment, Entertainment Tonight, Fox After Breakfast, Fox
News Channel, Good Morning America, John & Leeza, Mike & Mady, Music City Tonight,
Nashville Now, Pat Bullard Show, Regis & Kathie Lee, TNN Country News, Tonight Show,
Wildhorse, WGN TV, Prime Time Country, Arthel & Fred Show
Music Awards:
1992 Academy of Country Music (ACM) Songwriter of the Year for Somewhere In My Broken Heart
1992 ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year
1991 and 1992 BMI Pop Awards
1993 BMI Country Song Awards for Billy The Kid and Somewhere In My Broken Heart 1993 BMI Million Air Plays Award for Somewhere In My Broken Heart
1993 CMT Rising Star Award
1993 TNN Songwriter Award for Billy The Kid
1996 Grammy for A Country Tribute...Amazing Grace
"I will never forget the big words of wisdom my father gave me about my desire to be an entertainer... Son, it won't surprise me if you make it but it would surprise me if you didn't.' " --Billy Dean