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Click here for upcoming performance dates
To hear "Green Trees" click play:
To hear "I'm Sorry I Missed Your Call (Your Hitchhiking Guitarman)" click play:
To hear "Good Folks Who Love Jesus" click play:

To hear "Forever" click play:
To hear "That Very Sad Sixth Day Of May (At Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse)" with Doug Moreland on fiddle click play:
Note: I send the lyrics to my songs, along with a cassette recording of the words and music to the United States Copyright Office before I post them online. Dean

On August 31, 2007, Dean gave an interview over the phone to Dan Parker of the
Port Aransas South Jetty
Afterward, Dean took a Greyhound bus from Fredericksburg, Texas to Corpus Christi, Texas paid for by The Wharf Restaurant & Bar for his shows there on September 2 & 3, 2007.
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland posing near the Luckenbach Texas sign on August 29, 2007 taken by Adam Romo

On August 28, 2007, Dean purchased a patio brick on the Luckenbach Celebrity Walk.

ABOVE: Photo of the Dean Strickland Celebrity Walk Patio Brick in Luckenbach, Texas

ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland performing at Luckenbach Texas on August 28, 2007 taken by
Mac "Outlaw Angel" McIntyre


ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland performing at Luckenbach Texas on August 28, 2007. Also in the top photo is Mac "Outlaw Angel" McIntire" and in the bottom photo is Virgil Holden Jr. taken by Melissa Beeman
On August 29, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at Luckenbach Texas.

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland hosting Wacky Waylon Wednesday at Luckenbach Texas on August 29, 2007 taken by Adam Romo

(Click video still above to watch performance)
ABOVE: Video still of Dean Strickland at Luckenbach Texas on August 29, 2007 taken by Adam Romo

Dean hitchhiked from Sherman, Texas to Luckenbach, Texas for his show on August 29, 2007. 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. On August 22, 2007, Dean's story was published along with his photo in the
Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post
The Fredericksburg Standard-Radio Post write up on Dean Strickland

Dean made plans to hitchhike to Nashville, Tennessee to perform at the Bluebird Cafe open mic night on October 1, 2007. On August 21, 2007, using his cell phone, Dean called Amy Kurland, Owner of
located at 4104 Hillsboro Road in Nashville, Tennessee and Amy remembered Dean from his days with the band Victims Of The Carousel that 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, and that photo which was published with the caption "Smashville In Nashville" in the October 22, 2004 issue of the Rock City News out of Hollywood, California. Through the email, on August 17, 2007, Dean got himself booked to perform at The Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston, Texas on November 16, 2007 at 9:00pm. On August 17, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Boiler Room Coffee Bar in Sherman, Texas, and there he met with Ryan Loyd, First 12 News KXII-TV Anchor/Reporter, and he gave Dean a DVD of the show

(Click video still above to watch newsclip)
ABOVE: Video still of Dean Strickland in Sherman, Texas on April 5, 2007 taken by Rick Springer
Also on August 15, 2007, Dean's story was published in the Cass County Sun.

The Cass County Sun write up on Dean Strickland

On August 15, 2007, while in Sherman, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
I Believe The Lord Has Put Me Here To Sing To You

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
Then, Dean hitchhiked from Paris, Texas to Sherman, Texas for his show at the Boiler Room Coffee Bar on August 17, 2007. On August 11, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at Dillon's Bar & Gill in Paris, Texas. On August 11, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at Dillon's Bar & Gill in Paris, Texas. Dean performed as scheduled at the Kildare Baptist Church on August 5, 2007.

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland in Linden, Texas on August 7, 2007 taken by Ann Haynes
Dean performed as scheduled at the Music City Texas Theater on August 4, 2007.




ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland performing solo, also with Richard Bowden with Moon & The Starz at Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas on August 4, 2007 taken by Autry Ward

ABOVE: Photo of Autry Ward, Actor/Stuntman and Dean Strickland at Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas on August 4, 2007 taken by Mark Vidito


ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland reading the August 2007 issue of Texas Music Monthly, Texarkana's entertaiment magazine at Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas on August 3, 2007 taken by Mark Vidito

Texas Music Monthly write up on Dean Strickland
On August 3, 2007, Dean picked up a copy of the Texas Music Monthy Magazine in which his story was published, and on the cover he was called the "Woody Guthrie of this Generation". On August 3, 2007 Dean, along with Richard Bowden, Mark Vidito gave an interview to hosts Bob Brackeen and Jennifer Kielman Dean, Richard Bowden and Mark performed Dean's songs "Everywhere I Go" and "The Good Lord Knows" on East Texas Live Channel 56 KETK NBC.

(Click photo above to hear performance)
ABOVE: Photo of Richard Bowden, Dean Strickland, and Mark Vidito on the set of East Texas Live at KETK NBC 56 - News on August 3, 2007 taken by Meteorologist, Robert Thornton
On August 1, 2007 Dean's story and photograph made the front page of the Cass County Sun newspaper.

The Cass County Sun write up on Dean Strickland

Then, Dean hitchhiked to Linden, Texas for his
show at the Music City Texas Theater on August 4, 2007

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland in Linden, Texas on July 30, 2007 unknown photographer
Dean performed again at the Frosty Mug on July 27, 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 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. 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. 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. 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. Dean performed as scheduled at Hill's Cafe on July 19, 2007.

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at Hill's Cafe in Austin, Texas on July 17, 2007 taken by Robert Mindlin
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
Hill's Cafe
On July 16, 2007, Dean walked into the Local 433 Austin Federation of Musicians and picked up a copy of the July issue of International Musician.

ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland in Austin, Texas at the AFM Local 433 on July 16, 2007 taken by Robert Mindlin

On July 15, 2007, while at the Troubadour Saloon, Dean posed for a photograph with Billy Marabella who wrote his song "Walking To Austin" about Dean Strickland. Dean performed as scheduled on July 13 & 14, 2007 at Geisha Sushi and again on July 15, 2007 at the Troubadour Saloon. After that, Dean hitchhiked from Fort Worth, Texas to Austin, Texas for his gigs at Geisha Sushi on July 13, & 14, and on the 15, 2007 at the Troubadour Saloon.

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland on the Apache Pass bridge over the San Gabriel river in Milam County, Texas on July 12, 2007 taken by Robert Mindlin
Thank you, Gillian & Eric Schwarz who I met at the Brad Hines 1st Annual 4th of July Texas Showcase at the Love Shack in the Fort Worth Stockyards for the gift of a brand new OLYMPUS FE-230 Digital camera on July 6, 2007.
Dean performed as scheduled at the Brad Hines 1st Annual 4th of July Texas Showcase at the Love Shack in the Fort Worth Stockyards. Dean's story was published in the July 2007 issue of the

The International Musician write up on Dean Strickland

Then from Panhandle, Texas, Dean hitchhiked to Fort Worth, Texas for his show on July 4, 2007 at the Brad Hines 1st Annual 4th of July Texas Showcase at the Love Shack in the Historic Stockyards. On June 29 & 30, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at The Bean Patch in Panhandle, Texas. Dean's story was published in the
June 29, 2007 edition of the Amarillo Globe's Get Out! Amarillo's Entertainment Guide

The Amarillo Globe News write up on Dean Strickland

Then Dean, hitchhiked his way to Panhandle, Texas to perform at The Bean Patch on June 29 & 30, 2007. Also on June 22, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at Sundance Square in downtown Fort Worth, Texas. On June 22, 2007, using email, Dean got himself booked to perform at
Luckenbach Texas located at 412 Luckenbach Town Loop in Fredericksburg, Texas on August 19, 2007 from 7-11pm
On June 21, 2007, while in Fort Worth, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
I'm Glad

I'm glad if you're happy to see me
But I don't care if you're not

To those who don't believe my story
That walkin' hundreds of miles to here's how I got

To be here in Texarkana
And play my music on this here stage

Or that I got my edumacation
From some of the best schools in the USA

Or maybe you don't like my music
That I write so simple and basic

Or you wish I'd play more rock n country
Or whatever you call that shit

Spoken:
These here words were inspired by a newspaper editor I called asking for a story while hitchhiking around the state to my gigs.
I told him I had recently made my way back to Texas from LA, and that soon I'd be walkin' my way to Texarkana to play.
The man told me that after thorough research he didn't believe my story, or that I was even educated at all.
Well, I found out he didn't do the research he said he had, and soon after that I wrote this here song.

I'm glad if you're happy to see me
But I don't care if you're not

To those who don't believe my story
That walkin' hundreds of miles to here's how I got

To be here in Texarkana
And play my music on this here stage

Or that I got my edumacation
From some of the best schools in the USA

Or maybe you don't like my music
That I write so simple and basic

Or you wish I'd play more rock n country
Or whatever you call that shit

I'm glad if you're happy to see me
But I don't care if you're not

©2007 Dean Strickland
Just after that Dean also spoke to Les Minor, Editor for the Texarkana Gazzette who told Dean that they did not do the research they claimed they had done and how could they not believe his story when they all knew that Dean once slept at the Staff Photographer, Evan Lewis' house, and that that Tony Davis himself was one of the rides taken to the side of the highway in which Dean left Texarkana in March of 2007 hitchhiking to his next show. On June 21, 2007, Dean called the Texarkana Gazzette and spoke to Kristy Buzby, Assistant Editor for the Texarkana Gazzette who told Dean that based on their research they didn't believe his story. On the evening of June 20, 2007, Dean walked in the Love Shack located at 106 E. Exchange Ave. in the Historic Stockyards in Fort Worth, Texas, and spoke to
who booked Dean to perform on July 4, 2007 at the 1st Annual 4th of July Texas Showcase at the Love Shack. Also on June 20, 2007, Dean made a phone call to Bill Chapman, Owner/Publisher of Texas Music Monthly Magazine to ask for exposure for his story and upcoming August 4, 2007 gig at The Music City Texas Theater in Linden, Texas and was told that his story would be published. On June 20, 2007, Dean called Tony Davis, Entertainment Editor for the Texarkana Gazzette, and was shocked when Mr. Davis told him that he would not give Dean a story, because he did not believe Dean was being forthcoming with the truth about his educational background, or that he had been sleeping at times on the streets. When Dean jumped in the 18 wheeler the driver tuned his radio to Satelite Radio Station 171 "Open Road", so Dean called the radio station using his cell phone and gave an interview to DJ's Satelite Cowboy Billy Mac and April while riding down the highway. On June 18, 2007, Dean was walking south on Hwy. 287 in Bowie, Texas, on his way to Fort Worth, Texas, and got a ride from a truck driver named Danny Walker, of Bowie, Texas, who recognized Dean walking on the side of the highway. Also on June 16, 2007, Dean made a phone call to Geisha Sushi located at 616 E 6th Street in Austin, Texas, and got himself booked to perform there on July 13 & 14, 2007 at 5pm. On June 16, 2007, using email, Dean got himself booked to perform at the Troubadour Saloon's "Shut Up & Sing! Storytellers Acoustic Showcase" located at 506 E. on 6th Street in Austin, Texas on July 15, 2007 at 10pm. On June 15, 2007, Dean was added to the
Texas Talent Register
On June 15, 2007, Dean's story was published in the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram write up on Dean Strickland

On June 14, 2007, Dean's story was published in the Panhandle Herald.

The Panhandle Herald write up on Dean Strickland

Also on June 12, 2007, Dean spoke on the phone in regard to his gigs in Panhandle, Texas on June 29 & 30, 2007 at The Bean Patch with Aaron Phillips, Entertainment Writer of the Amarillo Globe News. On June 12, 2007, Dean gave an interview over phone to Margie Braidfoot, Editor of The Panhandle Herald.
Thank you, Hope Ramzy of Los Angeles, California whom I met on the
for buying me a Greyhound bus ticket from Los Angeles, California to Fort Worth, Texas on June 9, 2007.
On June 7, 2007, Dean gave an interview over the phone to Preston Jones, Writer/Pop Music Critic for the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. As scheduled, On June 6, 2007, Dean performed his song "The Life Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ" and spoke at the Making A Living in Music seminar at the Coffee Gallery Backstage in Los Angeles, California put on by Songnet.org.



ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland speaking at a Songnet Seminar in Los Angeles, CA seated alongside Karie Hillery, and Neil Rutman taken by Jimi Yamagishi, plus with Daddy Bone taken by Daddy Bone on June 6, 2007
On the morning of June 2, 2007, Dean walked to KCSN 88.5 FM at California State University Northridge where he performed live his songs "The Life Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ", "I Love Texas (It's My Home)" and "The Good Lord Knows", and gave an interview on Tied To The Tracks with Larry Wines.
www.mp3.com.au/Dean Strickland KCSN 88.5FM

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland at KCSN 88.5FM in Los Angeles, CA on June 2, 2007 taken by Jimi Yamagishi
Thank you, Jimi Yamagishi for making a phone call to Larry Wise that helped to open the door at KCSN 88.5FM.
On May 29, 2007, Dean received a phone call from Larry Wise of
located at California State University Northridge and was invited to talk and perform on June 2, 2007 at 8am on the radio show Tied To The Tracks. Dean was walking west on I-10 five miles out of San Antonio, Texas when he caught a ride all the way to Los Angeles, California. Then Dean started walking west on I-10 in Houston, Texas on his way to Los Angeles, California to speak at a seminar called
Making A Living In Music
Afterward, Dean got himself booked to perform again on "Night Sounds" with Pat & Rosie on November 10, 2007. On May 19, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled on the radio show "Night Sounds" with Pat & Rosie on KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston, Texas where he talked about his travels and played live his songs:
1. I Love Texas (It's My Home)
2. The Good Lord Knows
3. Everywhere I Go
4. The Commitment
5. It Takes A Cowboy Like Me
6. My Angel's Sweet Sweet Touch
7. You're Inspirational To Me
8. The Perfect Place
On May 17 & 18, 2007, while in Houston, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
The Life Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ

I think a lot about people who have died
Questioning why in the world did they live their short lives
The only answer I found that makes any sense to me
Is to worship the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

The upper class folks who've gained their fortune and fame
Are as the poor and unknown on the streets just the same
No one can foretell when He our lives will take
Free are all of our choices we'll choose, and we've chosen to make

False idols made claims before taking their own lives
That to follow their leads for us would surely be wise
The only following I will ever try
Will be after the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ

I'm a sinner
Even winners are sinners
Though I'm happy to be doing what I want
I'm still a sinner like you

We're all sinners
We can't help being sinners
If eternal life in Heaven is what we may want
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ said what to do

©2007 Dean Strickland
Dean's story and photograph was published in the May 15, 2007 issue of the El Paso ISD Burges High School Stampede.

The El Paso ISD Burges High School Stampede write up on Dean Strickland

After that, Dean hitched a ride from Galveston, Texas to Houston, Texas where he performed as scheduled at the Last Concert Cafe on May 13, 2007. Also, on May 11, 2007, while in Galveston, Texas, given to Dean by the bartender at the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe was an all original CD called "Ugly Me" by Austin, Texas singer-songwriter, Billy Marabella, which includes the song he wrote and sang about the Dean Strickland story titled

Austin, he’s walking to Austin
He’s slinging a Martin over his shoulder and
He’s walking to Austin
‘Cause he’s got him a gig there
At some little music fair
So he’s walking to Austin and
He’s slinging a Martin

Austin, from Dallas to Austin
He thumbed him a ride out of Waco this morning and
It damn-nearly cost him
He almost lost the guitar
He had to jump in the trunk of a fleeing car
To rescue the Martin
But that’s not why he’s walking

He’s the Walking-about-Texas Troubadour
Telling simple stories and playing simple chords
He’s the Walking-about-Texas Troubadour

You can see the tumbleweed when he sings
You can hear coyotes howl when he sings

Austin, he’s walking to Austin
According to some, it’s the Nashville of Texas
Where all of the best come
So that’s why he plays here
As many times as he can a year
He walks here to Austin
Slinging the Martin

He’s the Walking-about-Texas Troubadour
Telling simple stories and playing simple chords
He’s the Walking-about-Texas Troubadour
Telling stories like the cowboys did in the old folklore
He’s the Walking-about-Texas Troubadour

© 2007. Billy Marabella. Words and music.
Song lyrics used with the permission of Billy Marabella
Dean performed as scheduled at the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe in Galveston, Texas on May 11, 2007. Dean's story was published in the
 The Galveston County Daily News write up on Dean Strickland

Thank you, Jeff Clayton for putting me up on May 8, 2007 for a four night stay at the Sandpiper Motel located at 201 Seawall, Galveston, Texas 77550.
On May 8, 2007, while hitchhiking in Dickinson, Texas making his way to Galveston, Texas, Dean gave an interview over the phone to Katherine Adams, writer for
The Galveston County Daily News
On May 7, 2007, while in Houston, Texas, Dean did an interview over the phone with Whitney Howe, writer for the
The AFM's monthly music magazine International Musician
On May 6, 2007, Dean hitchhiked from Austin, Texas to Houston, Texas on his way to Galveston, Texas for his scheduled show May 11, 2007 at he Old Quarter Acoutic Cafe. On May 4 & 5, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at Geisha Sushi Bar & Grill on 6th street in Austin, Texas. On May 4, 2007, Dean's traveling musician story written by Joe Gross, Austin American-Statesman's Popular Music Writer, was posted on the Austin American-Statesman blog at
The Austin American-Statesman blog on Dean Strickland

Then Dean, hitchhiked to Austin, Texas for his gigs at Geisha Sushi & Grill on May 4 & 5, 2007. From Kerville, Texas, Dean hitchhiked to where he spoke to and left a business card for Neal Brown, Manager of Oversight. From San Antonio, Texas, Dean hitchhiked to the Quiet Valley Ranch in Kerr County on Hwy 16 to volunteer for for prefest work at the
Kerville Folk Festival
On April 28, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at The Drop Zone Cafe & Bar and the King William Fair at B&D Ice House in San Antonio, Texas. On April 27, 2007, Dean recorded his songs "Everywhere I Go" and "The Good Lord Knows" at
KHM Studios
Dean story was published in the April 27, 2007 issue of the San Antonio Express-News.

The San Antonio Express-News write up on Dean Strickland
Dean story was published in the
April 25, 2007 issue of The Wichitan
The Wichitan write up on Dean Strickland

Thank you, Rock for the Greyhound bus ticket from Killeen, Texas to San Antonio, Texas.
That trucker then bought Dean a Greyhound bus ticket from Killeen, Texas to San Antonio, Texas. Dean had hitchhiked as far as Hillsborough, Texas when he accepted a ride from a truck driver who was going as far south as Killeen, Texas. Then the next day Dean, hitchhiked out of Fort Worth, Texas headed to San Antonio, Texas for his scheduled shows at the Drop Zone and the King William Fair on April 28, 2007. The next day, Dean caught a Greyhound bus from Brownsville, Texas to Fort Worth, Texas where he performed as scheduled at the Main Street Arts Festival on April 22, 2007.

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at the Main Street Arts Festival on April 22, 2007 taken by jeremy (tastygiant)
Dean's photo and story was published on the front page and inside of


The Brownsville Herald write up on Dean Strickland

On April 20, 2007, Dean walked to the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar located at 5800 Padre Blvd. Ste. 1 in South Padre Island, Texas and spoke to the Owner, Wayne and got himself booked to perform there on December 15, 22, & 29, 2007 from 7-10pm. Dean performed as scheduled at SKKY Bar & Lounge in South Padre Island, Texas on April 19 & 20, 2007.  On April 17, 2007 while in South Padre Island, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
Everywhere I Go

Thank you sweet Lord for sending me songs
With You in my life I cannot go wrong
There's no one else for this I owe thanks to
So I write you these lines without further adue

Thank you Mama and Daddy for showing me love
Raising a boy like me I'm sure had to be tough
And now that I'm a man I wanna show my gratitude
So I write you these lines without further adue

CHORUS:
If you don't know by now I love you
If you don't know by now I'm missing you out here on the road
If you don't know by now let me tell you
You're with me everywhere I go

To my friends and family of whom I have lost
For words expressing how much I miss you I am at a loss
So before the Lord says my time has come and I leave this world too
I write you these lines without further adue

CHORUS

CHORUS

You're with me everywhere I go

©2007 Dean Strickland
On April 17, 2007, Dean arrived in Brownsville, Texas. On April 16, 2007, while in San Antonio, Texas waiting for the Greyhound Bus, Dean gave an interview over the phone to Leslie Williams - Dennis, writer for the Brownsville Herald. At the Hill Country Crawfish Festival, Dean met Jim Gregg who allowed Dean book himself to perform at the festival in April 2008. A cup was passed around the campfire for donations to help him along his journey, and with the money, Dean purchased a Greyhound Bus ticket from New Braunfels, Texas to Brownsville, Texas. On April 14, 2007, Dean had hitchhiked as far a Austin, Texas, and Earl Spruiel offered Dean a ride and they drove to the Hill Country Crawfish Festival located at Camp Ben McCullough on FM 1826 in Driftwood, Texas where, Dean performed on stage and around a campfire.

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland and Earl Spruiel performing at the Hill Country Crawfish Festival at Camp Ben McCullough in Driftwood, Texas on April 14, 2007
The next morning, Dean hitchhiked out of Wichita Falls, Texas headed to South Padre Island, Texas to perform at his scheduled gigs on April 19 & 20, 2007 at the SKKY Bar & Lounge. On April 12, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at Old Town Saloon. On April 11, 2007, Dean walked to The Wichitan - The Student Voice of Midwestern State University and gave an interview to Reporter/Writer, Carly Burres, and afterward did a photo shoot with photographer, Lauren Miller. Then from Sherman, Texas, Dean hitchhiked to Wichita Falls, Texas for his gig at Old Town Saloon on April 12, 2007. After his show, Dean got himself booked to perform again at the Boiler Room Coffee Bar on August 17, 2007 from 8-10pm. On April 6, 2007, Dean performed as scheduled at the Boiler Room Coffee Bar in Sherman, Texas, where the live performance of his songs "The Perfect Place", "I Love Texas(It's My Home)", "It Takes A Cowboy Like Me", and "Why Did Classic Country Music Have To Die?" were video taped by Rick Springer, First 12 News KXII-TV Photojournalist. On April 6, 2007, Dean's story along with his photograph was published on the cover and inside the Sherman Denison Herald Democrat.

The Herald Democrat write up on Dean Strickland

Also on April 5, 2007, Dean's name was added to the list of Members of the Academy of Texas Music. On April 5, 2007, at Boiler Room Coffee, Rick Springer, First 12 News KXII-TV Photojournalist video taped Dean performing his songs "The Good Lord Knows" and "The Commitment", also giving an interview to Ryan Loyd, First 12 News KXII-TV Anchor/Reporter for the show
First 12 News KXII-TV On The Road on First News A.M. which aired April 19, 2007
(Click video still above to watch news clip)
ABOVE: Video still of Dean Strickland in Sherman, Texas on April 5, 2007 shot by Rick Springer
On April 2, 2007, Dean gave an interview over the telephone to Ken Studer, writer for The Herald Democrat. Then Dean hitchhiked to Sherman, Texas for his gig at the Boiler Room Coffee Bar located at 404 W Lamar St. on April 6, 2007. 
copyright 2010 Dean Strickland