Barry Dean (songwriter)
Barry Dean | |
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Background information | |
Born | Okmulgee, Oklahoma,United States | May 10, 1967
Origin | Pittsburg, Kansas |
Genres | |
Occupation(s) |
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Years active | 2003-Present |
Website | creativenationmusic |
Barry Dean(bornc.1967) is an American country and pop music songwriter based out of Nashville, Tennessee. He has written multiple No. 1 singles including “Pontoon”(Little Big Town),[1]“Day Drinking”(Little Big Town), "Somebody's Daughter"(Tenille Townes), and "Think a Little Less"(Michael Ray), along with a Top 40 hit with “Girls Chase Boys”(Ingrid Michaelson).[2]He has been nominated for aGrammy for Best Country SongonTim McGraw's "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools."
Early life
[edit]Dean was born inOkmulgee, Oklahomaand grew up in ruralPittsburg, Kansas.[2]He wrote songs and played in bands throughout high school and during his time atPittsburg State University.Dean briefly pursued songwriting in Los Angeles but abandoned that in his 20s.[2]
Dean returned to Pittsburg and worked as Creative Director for Pitsco Incorporated. He was involved in the education business for several years with a focus on marketing and media technology.[2]In his mid-30s, Dean’s wife encouraged him to pursue songwriting again and signed him up for a cruise held by theNashville Songwriter’s Association Internationalfor aspiring songwriters.[3]The NSAI subsequently invited Dean to a song camp in Nashville.[3]He considers this camp a formative experience where he learned how to write professionally[4]and began to co-write with other Nashville writers.[2]
Songwriting career
[edit]For his first years as a songwriter Dean continued to live in Kansas and would commute into Nashville to co-write. He eventually moved to Nashville and signed withBMGin his mid-30s.[5]His first songwriting cut wasReba McEntireplaying “Moving Oleta,”[2]a personal song Dean wrote based on his grandfather’s love for his spouse as she went through Alzheimer’s Disease.[6]His first single,Matrina McBride’s “God’s Will,” was also personal, written in response to his daughter’spremature birthand slow recovery.[7]Rolling Stoneincluded “God’s Will”on its list of the “Saddest Country Songs of All Time.”[8]
Dean has had two No. 1 hits withLittle Big Town,his first with“Pontoon”and again with “Day Drinking.”[2]“Pontoon” has been certified double platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America.[9]Dean also reached No. 1 with “Think a Little Less”recorded byMichael Ray.[5]Dean has co-written many hit radio singles includingJason Aldean’s “1994,”Brothers Osborne’s “Rum,”Hunter Hayes’ “Tattoo,”Toby Keith’s “Drinks After Work,"Ashley Monroe's "On to Something Good,"andAlison Krauss & Union Station's "My Love Follows You Where You Go."[2]In addition to country, Dean's “Girls Chase Boys,”co-written and performed byIngrid Michaelson,appeared on multiple radio charts, won a BMI Pop Award, and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.[2]
In the past decade, Dean has had songs recorded byJason Aldean,Charlotte Church,Billy Currington,Brett Eldredge,Hunter Hayes,Toby Keith,Alison Krauss,Reba McEntire,Jake Owen,Thomas Rhett,LeAnn Rimes,Carrie Underwood,Jon Pardi,Brothers Osbourne,Lori McKenna,andMaren Morris,among others.[10]
“Pontoon,”co-written withLuke LairdandNatalie Hemby,went on to be nominated for a number of Country Music Awards.[11][12]Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Barstools,” which Dean co-wrote withLuke LairdandJonathan Singleton,was nominated for a Grammy forBest Country Song.[5]His music has appeared in movies, such asAct of Valour,and TV shows, such asNashvilleandNCIS.[10]
Dean is primarily a co-writer, often working with songwritersLuke Laird,Lori McKenna,andNatalie Hemby.[5]Dean leftUniversal Musicto joinCreative Nationwith Beth and Luke Laird.[13][5]
In appreciation for providing him a place to stay after his first child’s premature birth, Dean has been an outspoken advocate and organized a benefit for theRonald McDonald Houseof the Four States.[14][15]
Songwriting discography
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Year | Artist | Album | Song | Co-written with |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Martina McBride | Martina | "God's Will" | Tom Douglas |
Reba McEntire | Room To Breathe | "Moving Oleta" | ||
2006 | Heartland | I Loved Her First | "Judge A Man" | Don Poythress |
John Corbett | John Corbett | "Judge A Man" | Don Poythress | |
2007 | Carrie Underwood | Carnival Ride | "Crazy Dreams" | Carrie Underwood,Troy Verges |
Lewis, Scruggs & Long | Lifetimes | "James White" | Don Poythress, Brian White | |
2008 | Hush | Backroads | "Hush" | Gerlach, Hartmann |
Chris Eaton | Dare To Dream | "Alright" | Don Poythress, Chris Eaton | |
Phil Stacey | Phil Stacey | "No Way Around A River" | Harrington | |
2009 | Karen Peck and New River | No Worries | "The Hour I First Believed" | Tony Wood, Don Poythress |
2010 | Bill Anderson | Songwriter | "One Bad Memory" | Bill Anderson,Tim Nichols |
Laura Bell Bundy | Achin' and Shakin' | "Boyfriend" | Luke Laird,Laura Bell Bundy | |
Adam Brand | It's Gonna Be Ok | "Kiss You Back" | Adam Brand,Travis Meadows | |
Don Poythress feat.Ricky Scaggs | Wash Away | "Faithful Love Of Jesus" | Don Poythress,Karyn Rochelle | |
Clay Walker | She Won't Be Lonely Long | "People In Planes" | Luke Laird | |
Lori McKenna | Christmas Release | "Wishlist" | Mary Steenburgen,Troy Verges,Lori McKenna | |
Whitney Duncan | iTunes EP | "Getting Off Now" | Luke Laird,Whitney Duncan | |
Katharine McPhee | Unbroken | "Last Letter" | Luke Laird,Katharine McPhee | |
"Anybody's Heart" | Luke Laird,Katharine McPhee | |||
Guy Penrod | Breathe Deep | "Breathe Deep" | Don Poythress, Tony Wood | |
2011 | Neal McCoy | XII | "A-OK" | Luke Laird,Brett Eldredge |
Alison Krauss | Paper Airplane | "My Love Follows Where You Go" | Lori McKenna,Liz Rose | |
Hunter Hayes | Storm Warning | "Cry With You" | Hunter Hayes | |
"Faith To Fall Back On" | Hunter Hayes | |||
"Can't Say Love" | Hunter Hayes | |||
Sara Evans | Stronger | "Life Without Losing" | Luke Laird,Sara Evans,Andrew Dorff | |
Lori McKenna | Lorraine | "American Revolver" | Lori McKenna | |
"The Most" | Lori McKenna | |||
"Still Down Here" | Lori McKenna | |||
"Rocket Science" | Lori McKenna | |||
Meat Loaf,John Rich,Lil Jon,Mark McGrath | Feat. on Celebrity Apprentice | "Stand In The Storm" | Troy Verges | |
Martina McBride | Eleven | "Ask The Boy" | Troy Verges | |
Charlotte Church | Back to Scratch | "The Story Of Us" | Luke Laird,Charlotte Church | |
"Suitcase" | Luke Laird,Charlotte Church | |||
"Unraveling" | Luke Laird,Charlotte Church | |||
2012 | Little Big Town | Tornado | Pontoon | Luke Laird,Natalie Hemby |
Kellie Pickler | 100 Proof | "Rockaway" | Kellie Pickler,Brent Cobb | |
Hunter Hayes | Act of Valor: The Album | "Where We Left Off" | Hunter Hayes | |
Jay Sean,Jewel,Owl City | ConAgra Child Hunger Campaign | "Here's Hope" | Luke Laird,Hunter Hayes | |
Montgomery Gentry | Act of Valor: The Album | "What It Takes" | Troy Verges,Andrew Dorff | |
Neil McCoy | XII | "Judge A Man" | Donald Poythress | |
Marlee Scott | Beautiful Maybe | "Rhinestone in the Rough" | Lesley Roy,Desmond Child | |
Trent Dabbs | Future Like Snow | "Better Off Now" | Trent Dabbs | |
"Hoping For Home" | Trent Dabbs,Luke Laird,Mary Steenburgen | |||
"Future Like Snow" | Trent Dabbs,Lori McKenna | |||
Brandon Heath | Blue Mountain | "Blue Mountain" | Luke Laird,Brandon Heath | |
2013 | Jason Aldean | Night Train | "1994" | Luke Laird,Thomas Rhett |
Toby Keith | Drinks After Work | "Drinks After Work" | Luke Laird,Natalie Hemby | |
Ronnie Dunn | I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes | "I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes" | Luke Laird,Lori McKenna | |
Jake Owen | Days of Gold | "Tall Glass Of Something" | Luke Laird,Jaren Johnston | |
Thomas Rhett | It Goes Like This | "Sorry For Partyin'" | Jimmy Robbins,Thomas Rhett | |
Billy Currington | We Are Tonight | "Another Day Without You" | Andrew Dorff,Shane McAnally | |
Brett Eldredge | Bring You Back | "Gotta Get There" | Luke Laird,Brett Eldredge | |
2014 | Little Big Town | Pain Killer | "Day Drinking" | Troy Verges,Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet |
Brothers Osborne | Brothers Osborne | "Rum" | John Osborne, T. J. Osborne | |
Hunter Hayes | Storyline | "Tattoo" | Troy Verges,Hunter Hayes | |
Ingrid Michaelson | Lights Out | "Girls Chase Boys" | Ingrid Michaelson,Trent Dabbs | |
Blake Shelton | Bringing Back the Sunshine | "Anyone Else" | Luke Laird,Natalie Hemby | |
Hunter Hayes | Storyline | "Flashlight" | Troy Verges,Hunter Hayes | |
"Wild Card" | Luke Laird,Hunter Hayes | |||
Steve Moakler | Wide Open | "Crooked Heart" | Steve Moakler | |
Angaleena Presley | American Middle Class | "Surrender" | Luke Laird,Angaleena Presley | |
2015 | Tim McGraw | Sundown Heaven Town | "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools" | Luke Laird,Jonathan Singleton |
Ashley Monroe | Blade | "On To Something Good" | Luke Laird,Ashley Monroe | |
Hunter Hayes | The 21 Project | "Saint or a Sinner" | Hunter Hayes,Lori McKenna | |
2016 | Hunter Hayes | TBA | "Yesterday's Song" | Hunter Hayes,Martin Johnson |
Michael Ray | Michael Ray | "Think a Little Less" | John Nite, Jimmy Robbins, Thomas Rhett | |
Lori McKenna | The Bird & the Rifle | "Halfway Home" | Lori McKenna | |
"Old Men, Young Women" | Luke Laird,Lori McKenna | |||
LeAnn Rimes | Remnants | "How to Kiss a Boy" | LeAnn Rimes | |
2017 | Brothers Osborne | Pawn Shop | "Dirt Rich" | John Osborne, T. J. Osborne |
"Rum" | John Osborne, T. J. Osborne | |||
The Steel Wools | Straw in the Wind | "The Well" | Brent Cobb | |
Little Big Town | The Breaker | "Free" | Natalie Hemby,Luke Laird,Lori McKenna | |
Steve Moakler | Steel Town | "Siddle's Saloon" | Steve Moakler | |
2018 | Devin Dawson | Dark Horse | "Dip" | Devin Dawson,Luke Laird |
BØRNS | Blue Madonna | "We Don't Care" | BØRNS |
Production discography
[edit]Year | Artist | Album | Details |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Lori McKenna | Lorraine | Producer |
Travis Meadows | Killin' Uncle Buzzy | Producer | |
2012 | Sugar and the Hi Lows | High Roller | Producer |
Awards and nominations
[edit]2012
- Country Music AssociationSingle of the Year Winner for Little Big Town's "Pontoon"[citation needed]
2013
- MusicRow’sBreakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominee[16]
- CMASong of the Year Nominee for Little Big Town’s “Pontoon”[17]
- ACASong of the Year Nominee for Little Big Town’s “Pontoon”
- NSAISongs I Wish I'd Written Award for Little Big Town’s “Pontoon”
2015
- NSAISongs I Wish I'd Written Award for Tim McGraw's "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools"
- BMI Pop Award for Ingrid Michaelson's "Girls Chase Boys"[18]
2016
- 58th Annual Grammy AwardsBest Country Song Nominee forTim McGraw's"Diamond Rings And Old Barstools"[19]
References
[edit]- ^Parker, Eric (September 4, 2012)."Little Big Town Earns First No. 1 Single".MusicRow.
- ^abcdefghiSchlansky, Evan (August 4, 2014)."Writer Of The Week: Barry Dean".American Songwriter.
- ^abReuter, Annie (March 31, 2017)."The Writer's Round with Barry Dean".Sounds like Nashville.
- ^Staff. (7 June 2016)."Barry Dean Calls NSAI Song Camp a 'Rare Opportunity.'".
- ^abcdeMcIntosh, Dan (April 19, 2017)."Barry Dean".Songfacts.com.
- ^Dauphin, Chuck (October 2, 2014)."Little Big Town's Secret: Natalie Hemby and Barry Dean on Writing Country Hits".Billboard.
- ^Gooding, Sarah (February 13, 2016)."Barry Dean Nominated for Grammy".Morning Sun.
- ^Staff."40 Saddest Songs of All Time".Rolling Stone.
- ^Waterman, Dan (January 21, 2013)."How Did They Write That? Little Big Town's 'Pontoon'".American Songwriter.
- ^abcStaff (Summer 2018)."Barry Dean: Credits".All Music.
- ^Staff (October 17, 2013)."BMI Writers Owen, Steele, Jennings and Martine Honored at NaSHOF".BMI.
- ^Murray, Rebecca (October 31, 2013)."2013 American Country Awards Nominees Announced".Showbizjunkies.com.
- ^Bialas, Michael (December 6, 2017)."With High Roller (and Song Premiere), Sugar and the Hi-Lows Sweeten the Pot".Huffington Post.
- ^Larimore, Jordan (November 5, 2017)."Songwriter Barry Dean Stayed at Ronald McDonald House after Daughter's Premature Birth".Jopling Globe.
- ^Staff (October 28, 2017)."Noted Nashville Songwriter Returns Home to Give Back".Pitt State (Newspaper).
- ^Nicholson, Jessica (May 22, 2013)."'MusicRow' Awards Announce Breakthrough Songwriter Nominees ".musicrow.com.
- ^"Searchable CMA Awards Database".Country Music Association.[permanent dead link]
- ^Skates, Sarach (May 15, 2015)."Nashvillians Bring Home BMI Pop Awards".Music Crow.
- ^"Grammys 2016 Preview: The Inside Scoop on the Best Country Song and Country Album Nominees".Billboard.com.February 13, 2016.
- Living people
- 1967 births
- American country songwriters
- American male songwriters
- Musicians from Nashville, Tennessee
- Record producers from Tennessee
- Record producers from Oklahoma
- Record producers from Kansas
- Songwriters from Tennessee
- Songwriters from Oklahoma
- Songwriters from Kansas
- Canadian Country Music Association Songwriter(s) of the Year winners