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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDEAN, Billy(b 2 April '62, Quincy FL) A major country act of the early '90s, Dean started out as a child with his father's band, the Country Rock. By his teens he was songwriting, was a national finalist in the Wrangler Starsearch Talent Contest '79, moved to Nashville. Opened for major acts, did demo and jingle work and landed a songwriter's contract with cuts by Ronnie Milsap, Shelly West, Randy Travis, etc. Signed to SBK/Liberty Records '90 for a top three country hit with 'Only Here For A Little While' '91. Further hits with 'Somewhere In My Broken Heart' (Grammy nom. '92), 'Billy The Kid' '92, 'Tryin' To Hide A Fire In The Dark' '93. Wrote theme tune for ABC-TV animated series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys Of Moo Mesa '92. Gold discs for Young Man '91, Billy Dean '92, Fire In The Dark '93. Other albums incl. Men'll Be Boys '94, It's What I Do '96, both on Capitol-Nashville. DEAN, Eddie (b Edgar Dean Glosup, 9 July '07, Posey TX) Cowboy film star of the '40s, began his musical career as gospel singer in early '30s. With his older brother Jimmy, appeared on WLS National Barn Dance, Chicago '34- 36. Moved to California '37 and joined Judy Canova's radio show, appeared in scores of films before his own films '46-48. Recorded prolifically for Decca, Mercury, Sage And Sand and Capitol, many self-penned songs incl. 'One Has My Name (The Other Has My Heart)' no. 11 country '48, 'I Dreamed Of A Hillbilly Heaven' no. 10 country '55. Inducted into Cowboy Hall Of Fame '93 and still performing at western film fairs '95. Albums incl. A Cowboy Sings Country '76 on Shasta, I Dreamed Of A Hillbilly Heaven '81 on Castle. |