News and Photos

On July 16, 2007, Dean received a call from Desiree' L. McBride, Secretary/Treasurer AFM Local #433 and was told that Cheri Fox, Special Events Coordinator of Hills Cafe located at 4700 South Congress Avenue Austin, Texas had called her saying that she had a cancel1ation and asked if Dean could play, so Dean called Cheri and confirmed his booking for July 19, 2007 from 7-10pm. at

Then, Dean hitchhiked from Austin, Texas to Texarkana, TX/AR for his gigs at The Frosty Mug on July 25, 2007 and Doyle's Place on July 26, 2007. While in Texarkana, Bill Chapman arranged for Dean to perform at Fat Jack's Oyster Sports Bar located at 3324 North State Line Avenue in Texarkana, Arkansas where on July 24, 2007, Dean was performing for the lunch crowd playing for tips when he received a telephone call from Angela Guillory, Staff Writer and Photographer for the Cass County Sun whom later that day met with Dean for an interview and photo shoot for an article she was doing about Dean's August 4, 2007 show at the Texas City Music Theater in Linden, Texas. On July 25, 2007, Dean recorded his songs "The Life Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ" and "I'm Glad" engineered and mixed by Chip Bricker at

located at 108 Industrial Blvd. in Nash, Texas. Dean performed as scheduled at the Frosty Mug on July 25, 2007 and was asked to perform again on July 27, 2007, plus, Dean got himself booked to perform there again on November 28, 2007. Dean performed as scheduled at Doyle's Place on July 26, 2007, but not without having to deal with quite a lot of un-professionalism by the staff. Dean performed again at the Frosty Mug on July 27, 2007. Then, Dean hitchhiked to Linden, Texas for his

Back in 1967
An angel came down to Earth from Heaven
And told my mama she'd be having a son, and to name him Dean

Well, my mama didn't ask no questions
I got my name 'cause she followed directions
And that's when a gift from God was sent to all the ladies

At age six I picked up a guitar and sang along
With a gift for writing beautiful poems and great songs
I decided with my gift from God I'd sing to the people

Then as a very intelligent young man I started ramblin'
'Cause He watches over me I don't consider it gamblin'
When I hop in a complete stranger's wheels travelin' cross-country

CHORUS:
See, I believe the Lord has put me here to sing to you
So even if it kills me that's what I plan to do
With such purpose in life made oh, so clear to me
Who am I to argue with the powers that be?

CHORUS

I'm not one to argue with the powers that be

�2007 Dean Strickland

located at 4104 Hillsboro Road in Nashville, Tennessee. Amy Kurland remembered Dean from his days with the band Victims Of The Carousel who when on their World Wide Love Ride Tour smashed their guitars on the Bluebird Cafe stage on September 27, 2004, and how on October 14, 2004 they were photographed as Dean and Alan Norsworthy AKA Rocket Ride presented to her the smashed guitars in a hand made wooden display case. The photo of which was published with the caption "Smashville In Nashville" in the October 22, 2004 issue of the Rock City News out of Hollywood, California. Dean made plans to hitchhike to Nashville, Tennessee to perform at the Bluebird Cafe open mic night on October 1, 2007. On August 22, 2007, Dean's story was published along with his photo in the

On August 23, 2007, Dean received a phone call from Brandon Helton who booked Dean to perform at The Wharf Restaurant & Bar located at 500 Cut Off Road in Port Aransas, Texas on September 2 & 3, 2007. Dean hitchhiked from Sherman, Texas to Luckenbach, Texas for his show on August 29, 2007. On August 28, 2007, Dean purchased a patio brick on the Luckenbach Celebrity Walk.

located at 910 Main St. in Brownwood, Texas where as the guest on the KHPU-TV show Central Texas Spotlight with Host, Michael Westbrook, Dean talked about his hitchhiking journey and performed live his songs "I Believe The Lord Has Put Me Here To Sing To You", "Everywhere I Go", "The Good Lord Knows" and "The Commitment". And on that same day, Dean was interviewed by Entertainment Host, Justin Harper on the KHPU-TV show The Howard Payne Half Hour. Both the Central Texas Spotlight and the Howard Payne Half Hour featuring Dean Strickland aired on the Brownwood Television Cable Channel 5 on the evening of September 13, 2007.

Then at 5:45pm. on KXYL 96.9FM News Talk, Dean was interviewed by Mark Cope and Sam Coursey, and he performed his song "I Believe The Lord Has Put Me Here To Sing To You". On September 15, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Lucky #7 Brownwood Reunion Celebration. Also on September 15, 2007, Dean recorded his songs "I Believe The Lord Has Put Me Here To Sing To You" and "I Love Texas (It's My Home)" at ABC Labs Recording Studio in Brownwood, Texas, engineered and mixed by the studio's owner Stan Cooper. On September 17, 2007, at ABC Labs Recording Studio, Dean recorded his songs "With You Step By Step", "Texas", "The Perfect Place", "Why Did Classic Country Music Have To Die?", "It Takes A Cowboy Like Me", "The Commitment", "With A Smile On My Face", "The Good Lord Knows", "Everywhere I Go", and "The Life Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ". Then, Dean hitchhiked from Brownwood, Texas to Nashville, Tennessee to perform at the Bluebird Cafe on October 1, 2007. On September 26, 2007, while playing for tips on Broadway Street in Nashville, Dean was approached by camera men Nick Jones, and Dan Hoffman and was interviewed by Julie Garcia for

located at 11 Music Circle North where he met with and had his photograph taken with President, Harold Bradley, Secretary/International Executive Board, Billy Linneman, and Business Agent/Live Engagement Services Representative, Kathy Shepard. There, Dean was also given three copies of the July 2007 issue of the International Musician Magazine in which his story was published. Also on October 3, 2007, Dean walked to into Lyrix Cafe located at 94 Peabody St. in Nashville, Tennessee and got himself booked to perform there on October 4, 2007 from 6-7pm. On October 4, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at Lyrix Cafe.

located at 142 8th Ave. in Nashville, Tennessee and introduced himself to Chris Dortch, Director of Programming. Then Dean caught a ride to Houston, Texas for his scheduled guest radio performance and interview on "Night Sounds" with Pat & Rosie on KPFT 90.1 FM. from 2-4am. on November 10, 2007. On November 8, 2007, in All The Rage Magazine in Nashville, Tennessee a correction was made for Dean Strickland.

After which, Dean was booked to perform there again on June 14, 2008. Then, Dean caught a ride to Galveston, Texas for his show at the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe on November 16, 2007. On November 12, 2007, Dean gave an interview over the phone to Katherine Adams, Features Writer for the Galveston County Daily News. Dean's story and photograph was published in and on the front page of the

On November 16, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at The Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston, Texas. Then from Galveston Island, Dean hitchhiked to Huntsville, Texas and walked into Lizard's Music & Grill located at 1231 Josey St. and spoke to the booker, Logan who booked Dean to perform there on June 20, 2008 at 9pm. Then continuing on his hitchhiking journey to his next gig in Texarkana, Arkansas, Dean made his way to Nacogdoches, Texas where he wrote his song:

It's hard these days to get ahead
Making minimum wage with mouths to be fed
So before I start my family
I'll work hard to see I've all the means we'd need

It could take me a while but there's no hurry
Yeah, I'll just take it nice and slow no, I'm never gonna worry
My conscience tells me the truth is the good Lord knows
I'm thankful He's there everywhere I go

I've been telling this to myself for two years now going on three
And still here I am chasing that ol' big money

CHORUS:
'Cause I won't let down my wife and kids
I'll make them so proud that I'm the good man they're with
And I'll always remind them that Jesus loves us all
Yeah, I'll work hard to see I've all the means we'd need

Then when I retire I'll look back on my life
And tell my grandchildren tales of how His bright burning light
Always safely led me through the hard times

And when my time finally comes and I die
I'll feel comfort in knowing the work I did to help my family stay alive

I won't let down my wife and kids
I'll make them so proud that I'm the good man they're with
And I'll always remind them that Jesus loves us all
Yeah, I'll work hard to see I've all the means we'd need
I'll work hard to see I've all the means we'd need
I'll work hard to see I've all the means we'd need

�2007 Dean Strickland

After that, Dean hitchhiked to Texarkana, TX/AR for his show at The Frosty Mug on November 28, 2007. On November 26, 2007, Dean took on a silent partner for business purposes. On November 27, 2007, Dean recorded his song "All The Means We'd Need" at S.M.A.R.T. Productions located at 108 Industrial Blvd. in Nash, Texas engineered by Chip Bricker and mixed/mastered by Frank Pryor. The 12 songs Dean recorded in Brownwood, Texas in September of 2007 were also mastered by Frank Pryor at S.M.A.R.T. Productions on November 27, 2007. On November 28, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Frosty Mug in Texarkana, Texas.

On November 30, 2007, Dean, with a phone call to Alana, Marketing Director and Bar Manager of the Waterhole Saloon located at 5244 E. Hwy 71 in Garfield, Texas, got himself booked to perform there on January 12, 2008 at 9pm. On December 4, 2007, with phone call, Dean got himself booked to play at Geisha Sushi Bar & Grill on January, 4, 5, & 11, 2007 at 5:30pm. On December 5, 2007, Dean recorded his song "All The Means We'd Need" which was engineered, mixed and mastered by Erik Herbst at

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Dean Strickland
609 Hodge Street
Bowie, Texas 76230
cell(323)-719-1277
deanstrickland1@yahoo.com

HITCHHIKING GUITARMAN

December 11, 2007 (South Padre Island, Texas) -- Never Die Records presents Dean Strickland's first full length CD from the road "Hitchhiking Guitarman" set for official release on January 1, 2008.

After hitchhiking from gig to gig in Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee and California for over the last two years, thirteen original songs will make up the highly publicized singer-songwriter's full length album written from his experiences while hitchhiking.

"Hitchhiking Guitarman", a replicated CD packaged in a 12 pt premium grade gloss card stock sleeve will be made available online at:
http://www.mytexasmusic.com

Scheduled performance dates and update information is available at:
http://www.deanstrickland.com

On December 11, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar. Afterward he was booked to perform there again on December 13th, 18th, 20th & 27th, 2007 from 6-8pm., plus January 15th, 17th, 19th, 22nd, 24th, 26th, 29th & 31st, 2008, also on February 2nd, 5th, 7th, 9th, 12th, 14th, 16th, 18th, 21st, 23rd, 26th & 28th for times ranging from 4-10pm. On December 13, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar. On December 14, 2007, Dean gave an interview over the phone to Tom Wilmes, Managing Editor of

On December 15, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar. On December 18, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar. On December 21, 2007, Dean gave interview over the phone to Mike Sudhalter of Country Standard Time. On December 22, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar. On December 26, 2007, Dean submitted his press release to

On December 27, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar. On December 28, 2007, Dean received a shipment of "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs and mailed out copies to www.mytexasmusic.com to be sold through the internet. On December 29, 2007, Dean began mailing out "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs for reviews and radio play. On December 29, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar. On December 31, 2007, Dean caught a ride from South Padre Island, Texas to Corpus Christi, Texas where he walked into

located at 309 A. North Water Street and put his "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs up for sale. On January 1, 2008, the "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs went on sale online at www.mytexasmusic.com. Dean caught a ride from South Padre Island, Texas to Austin, Texas for his gigs at Geisha Sushi & Grill on 6th Street on January 4, 11 & 12, 2008. Dean's press release for the "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CD was published in the Texas Music News Section of the January 2008 issue of

and sang the songs "El Paso" and "On The Road Again". On January 12, 2008, Dean caught a ride to Lockhart, Texas where he did live auditions and got himself booked to perform both at The Sunshine Cafe located at 115 E. Walnut on March 26, 2008 from 6-9pm., and The Korner Bar located at 312 Blackjack on March 27, 2008 from 8pm.-12am. On January 12, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Waterhole Saloon in Garfield, Texas, and afterward got himself booked to perform there again on April 5, 2008 from 9pm-1am. On January 13, 2008, Dean caught a ride to Sisterdale, Texas where he did a live audition and got himself booked to perform at the

On January 15, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. Then Dean, caught a ride to Bandera, Texas for his gig at the The 11th Street Cowboy Bar on January 16, 2008. On January 16, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera, Texas. Then Dean, caught a ride to South Padre Island, Texas where he performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant on February 17, 2008. On January 19, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On January 22, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. Then Dean, caught a ride to Bandera, Texas for his gig at the The 11th Street Cowboy Bar where he performed as scheduled on January 23, 2008. On January 23, 2008, Dean's story and photograph was published on the front page and in LIFESTYLES section of the Bandera Bulletin.

Through email on January 29, 2008, Dean got himself booked at Hill's Cafe located at 700 S Congress Ave. in Austin, Texas on March 14, 2008 from 7:30-10:30pm. On January 29, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On January 30, 2008, Dean received a phone call from Raymond Hair, President of the AFM Local 72 who booked Dean to perform at the Main Street Arts Festival in downtown Fort Worth as a Strolling musician on April 19 & 20, 2008 from 11am.-2pm., also at the

On February 1, 2008, Dean decided to no longer sell his "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs on www.mytexasmusic.com. On February 2, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 4, 2008, Dean performed at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 5, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 6, 2008, over the phone, Dean got booked to perform at

located at 1111 Lincoln Street in Fredericksburg, Texas from 5-7pm. On February 7, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 8, 2008, through email, Dean got himself booked to perform at The Korner Bar located at 312 Blackjack in Lockhart, Texas from 8pm. until midnight. On February 9, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 12, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 14, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 16, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 17 & 18, 2008, Dean wrote his song:

CHORUS:
My mama told me
Daddy would always
Write her poems when they were dating

And I'm the lucky one
'Cause he's the one from
Whom I got my talent for songwriting

At thirteen my parents
got me a cheap guitar
For Christmas it was my best ever present

Daddy taught me old Hank
And Willie and Waylon
And Johnny Cash they were some of his favorites

I couldn't wait to get older
And know all the better
Things they said I would know

I dreamed of being a cowboy
Singing and writing
And living life free on the road

I'd play traditional Country music
The same way I heard it
Back in the days of old

I learned from the albums
And records my dad had
We had a little band with a lot of Country soul

My mama played the steel guitar
My brother played bass
My daddy was my right had man

He had an old Sears & Roebuck
Semi-hollow body electric
Silvertone guitar and amp

Now many years later
Like I dreamed I'm on the road
My career is rolling like a freight train

I have a list of appearances
On television and radio
And live shows I committed to playing

Well, back when I started
It weren't nothing like this
My share of dues I've paid

I grew up poor my parents
Picked cotton they worked hard
For the beans and cornbread we ate

I didn't do well in school
I broke all the rules
I quit while I was failing

Then on my own I struck
Bought an old house and truck
Then one night threw that all away

At daybreak I hitched a ride
To Austin to try
My luck at the time I'd grown up

And more and more feeling sober
And thinkin' 'bout getting older
Was more important that staying home drunk

First I traveled around Texas
Then west to Los Angeles
Then I hitchhiked to Nashville, Tennessee

Where I met a lady
She knows how to love me
When I'm with her she makes me happy

CHORUS

�2008 Dean Strickland

On February 21, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 23, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 26, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On February 27, 2008, Dean's story was published in the Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post.

located at 7000 Padre Blvd., and booked him to perform for a party there that night from 5-6:30pm, he performed as scheduled. On February 28, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas, and got himself booked to perform there again on January 10, 2009. Then Dean, caught a ride to Fredericksburg, Texas for his scheduled performance at the Lincoln Street Wine Market located at 1111 Lincoln Street from 5-7pm. On March 1, 2008, Dean showed up on time at the Lincoln Street Wine Market, and was told that the venue was closed temporarily. Then later that night, Dean performed as scheduled at the Sisterdale Roadhouse in Sisterdale, Texas. Also on March 1, 2008, Dean caught a ride to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) located at 103 Green Meadows Lane in Fredericksburg, Texas and did a live audition in front of Art Crenwelge, Commander VFW Post 7105, and was booked to perform there on April 19, 2008 from 9pm-midnight. On that same day, March 1, 2008, Dean caught a ride to

On March 2, 2008, Dean caught a ride to Boerne, Texas and did a live audition for Catherine Bentley, owner of the Longbranch Saloon & Dancehall located at 817 N. Main St. and got himself booked to perform there on April 18, 2008 from 8pm.-midnight. Also on March 2, 2008, Dean caught a ride to Lockhart, Texas and met with Coordinator Linda Springfield who booked him to perform at the Railway Saloon located at 620 Railway St. in Kingsbury, Texas at 7pm., also at the 5th Annual Rites Of Spring Festival Around The Square in Lockhart, Texas on March 29, 2008 from 4-6pm. Dean's Hitchhiking Guitarman CD recieved an online review in March 2008 at

On March 3, 2008, Dean received a phone call from Mike Kennedy, Administrator of the AFM Local 72, who booked Dean to perform at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth, Texas as a Strolling musician on May 30, 2008 from 6-9pm. On March 3, 2008, Dean called Luckenbach, Texas and spoke to Abby who booked him to perform there on June 16, 2008, during Pickin' & Grillin' starting at 7pm. On March 4, 2008, Dean started using the following 8X10 as his publicity shot:

located at 1711 S. Colorado in Lockhart, Texas from 7-9pm. On March 5, 2008, Dean caught a ride to Seguin, Texas and walked into Austin St. Live located at 109 N. Austin St., and after doing a live audition for owner Chris Maddox got himself booked to perform there on March, 19, 2008 from 8pm.-midnight. Also on March 5, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at the Railway Saloon in Kingsbury, Texas, and afterward got himself booked to perform there again on March 21, 2008 from 8pm.-midnight. After that, Dean caught a ride to Denton, Texas where on March 11, 2008 he walked into Recycled Books Records CDs and made his Hitchhiking Guitarman CDs available for purchase, also outside at the Denton County Courthouse gave an interview to Mary Lingwall, reporter for the Daily Texan, The University of Texas at Austin newspaper. On March 12, 2008, Dean did the Eli Gemini Show at Charter Communications Television-Cable & Satellite Public Access Channel 25 in Denton, Texas on which he gave an interview and performed his songs "My Daddy's Son" and "All The Means We'd Need". On March 7, 2008, over the phone, Dean got himself booked to perform at The Route 66 Roadhouse located at 609 S. Independence St. in Amarillo, Texas on May 7, 2008 from 9:30pm.-1:30am. Then, Dean caught a ride to Austin, Texas and performed as scheduled at Hill's Cafe.

CHORUS:
You left me lonely
And I still don't know why
We were only fighting
Like lovers do sometimes

You pushed my buttons
And saw the worst in me
Now I'm left alone with nothing
But beautiful memories

Like when you walked up to me then
And introduced yourself
I sang you my new religious hymn
That I had penned myself

When I had been traveling alone
Praying for someone like you
And like an answered prayer from the throne
Fate would have us introduced

And you like me free spirited
Wanted to travel the world
So there we were together in this
Hardly knowing each other

CHORUS

On the road for hundreds of miles we rode
Having fun along the way
Each different day would bring us more and more close
As you stood by me when I sang

You understood that I was just starting
To follow my life long dream
And you supported it whole heartedly
By investing both love and money

And for that I am so appreciative
You are more than just a friend
Now here I am wishing you were here
Why you're not I still don't understand

CHORUS

I'm left alone with nothing
But beautiful memories

�2008 Dean Strickland