Follow Dean at:


&
www.twitter.com/deanstrickland


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

While hitchhiking to Fort Worth, Texas from South Padre Island, Texas, Dean sold 20 Hitchhiking Guitarman CDs to Horace Holden. Then Dean hitchhiked to Fort Worth, Texas from South Padre Island, Texas for his gig supporting the Doug Moreland Show at the White Elephant Saloon in the Stockyards on February 14, 2009. On January 24, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at The Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar in South Padre Island, Texas. On January 22, 2009, Dean spoke on the phone with Doug Moreland or
and got himself booked to open for them at the White Elephant Saloon located at 106 E. Exchange Ave. in Fort Worth, Texas on February 14, 2009 at 9pm. On January 22, 2009, Dean spoke on the phone with Ricky Acosta, owner of
located at 402 Main St. in Bandera, Texas, and got himself booked to perform there on March 14, 2009 at from noon till 4pm. On January 21, 2009, Dean confirmed through email with Mike Stewart a book a to perform on March 28, 2009 at
in Johnson City, Texas. On January 20, 2009, Dean began sending out the following Press Release:
 
The Good Fight -  Motion Pictures No Show On Dean Strickland Movie

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20, 2009 (South Padre Island, Texas) -- Never Die Records announces Filmmaker, Dean J. Augustin, owner of The Good Fight - Motion Pictures
http://www.mygoodfight.com was a no show in South Padre Island, Texas where he was expected to begin filming "Never Die - The Dean Strickland Story".

From South Padre Island, Texas, on January 19, 2009, Dean Strickland, owner of Never Die Records
http://www.neverdierecords.com
phoned Dean Augustin in an effort to establish a planned working relationship. Mr. Augustin's reaction to Mr. Strickland's phone call was at best curt.

For more information contact:

Dean Strickland
Never Die Records
609 Hodge St.
Bowie, Texas 76230
cell (323) 719-1277
or
Dean J. Augustin
The Good Fight - Motion Pictures
1501 Brimwood Drive
McKinney, Texas USA 75070
Cell: (214) 534-9901
Home: (214) 544-1957

On January 19, 2009, Dean spoke on the phone to Dale Hardy of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce and was booked to perform on May 2, 2009 at 9am at the
in Johnson City, Texas. Also Mr. Hardy booked Dean to perform at the July 4, 2009 Johnson City Spange Dangle. On January 19, 2009, Dean sent emails to Mr. Augustin of The Good Fight - Motion Pictures stating please call him when he was ready to make plans.  Then soon after Mr. Augustin replied to Dean's emails stating he had been sick for a week, to stay in touch, and I apoligized if you got the wrong impression. To say the least Dean was very disappointed, since he expected that Mr. Augustin would be in South Padre Island ready to beging filming "Never Die - The Dean Strickland Story". On January 18, 2009, through email with Mo the booker, Dean was booked to perform from 6:30 - 8pm on March 13, 2009 at
located at 330 E. Grayson St. in San Antonio, Texas. On January 17, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar in South Padre Island, Texas. On January 12, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas.
Dean Strickland performing in South Padre Island, TX on 1-12-2009
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar in South Padre Island, Texas on January 12, 2009 taken by Millicent Frazier @ Facebook

On January 12, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas. On January 12, 2009, Dean received a phone call from Henry McCall, who booked him to perform at a private party in Lockhart, Texas on May 9, 2009 at noon. On January 10, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar in South Padre Island. On January 5, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant & Bar in South Padre Island, Texas. On January 3, 2009, while in South Padre Island, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
Country Music These Days

CHORUS:
It's sad to say it seems the only way
To fit in country music these days
Is to rock out your guitar when you play
Forget about singing a true country melody
If you want to be a big hit you've got to sing it poppy

It seems that's what I'm hearing on the radio
If I listen much longer I'm 'fraid I'll lose my country soul
I really need a fix of ole' Haggard and Jones
Please don't call it country when you know it's rock n roll

CHORUS

Don't get me wrong I like The Rolling Stones
And Led Zeppelin too when I want to rock n roll
But when I'm out to find real country sounds
It won't be Taylor Swift or Kieth Urban that I've found

CHORUS

Well, I guess that's the best they can do there in Nashville
But even here in Texas it's getting harder still
To find real country music 'cause they're all selling out
Thinking rock country's what it's really all about
If they don't watch out the art of country could be lost
I hope they bring it back before we all pay that cost

CHORUS

©2009 Dean Strickland

On January 2, 2009, Never Die Records' Press Release was published at
On December 29, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at the Texas Moon Restaurant in South Padre Island, Texas, and was booked to play there again on January 10th & 12th, 2009, plus every Saturday from 3-6pm as long as he stays in South Padre Island. On December 26, 2008, Dean received and email from Texas based award winning documentary film maker, Dean Augustin, confirming plans to shoot "Never Die - The Dean Strickland Story" on January 20 & 21, 2009. Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to the following people while hitchhiking to South Padre Island, Texas from Beaumont, Texas:
Crystin Kyckelhahn, Ginger Humphrey, Brenda Franklin and Debbie Blanchard
Then, Dean hitchhiked to South Padre Island, Texas for his gig at the Texas Moon restaurant, also for the filming of Never Die - The Dean Strickland Story. On December 20, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at Evelyn's Club House in Beaumont, Texas. On December 19, 2008, Dean's photograph and story was published in the Winter issue of the Texas Hill County Magazine.

www.hillcountrymagazine.com
Dean Strickland in Blanco County, TX on 10-01-2008

ABOVE: Dean Strickland hiking on Hwy. 290 in Blanco County, Texas on October 1, 2008 taken by John Hallowell

Texas Hill Country Magazine 2008 winter issue write up on Dean Strickland
Texas Hill Country Magazine write up on Dean Strickland

Then, Dean caught a ride from a friend in Houston, Texas to Beaumont, Texas for Dean's gig  at Evelyn's Club House on December 20, 2008. On December 14, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at the Last Concert Cafe in Houston, Texas. On December 13, 2008, having played live his songs "I Love Texas (It's My Home)", "The Perfect Place", "No Discount On Your Love". "My Angel's Sweet Sweet Touch", "Beautiful Memories", "It Takes A Cowoy Like Me", "Why Did Classic Country Music Have To Die?", and "I'm So Thankful", Dean performed as scheduled on Nightsounds with Pat & Rosie on KPFT 90.1FM. Afterward got himself booked to perform on the show again on June 13, 2009. Then, Dean hitchhiked to Houston, Texas to be a feature performer on the  KPFT 90.1FM radio show Night Sounds with Pat & Rosie and perform live at the Last Concert Cafe. News of the making of a movie about Dean was published in the
November 30, 2008 issue of the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal write up on Dean Strickland
Lubbock Avalanche-Journal write up on Dean Strickland

On November 30, 2008, Dean met with filmmaker, Dean Augustin, and discussed, over lunch, plans to begin filming in South Padre Island, Texas the week of January 19, 2009. On November 29, 2008, Dean received a call from Evelyn's Club House in Beaumont, Texas to confirm his gig there on December 20, 2008, and also to let Dean know that the club set its Christmas party for that night. On November 29, 2008, Dean took the
from Fort Worth, Texas to Dallas, Texas, and from there he caught the
to Plano, Texas where on November 30, 2008, he performed as scheduled at the Narrow Trail Cowboy Church. On November 28, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at the Parade of Lights in Downtown Fort Worth, Texas. On November 25, 2008, in Fort Worth, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
If You Go There

I'm only someone
You can relate to
If you go there
The songs I write
You'll only like 'em
If you go there

CHORUS:
If you go there you'll see
What it's like to let Jesus Christ take control of your life
And how the wrongs you commit time after time
By believing in Him are made to be alright

The songs I write
Probably won't touch your heart
If you haven't been there

If you don't want to admit it
Or would rather play the devil's advocate
Remember

If the ways of the world
Ever get you down
The Lord Jesus Christ
Said He'll always be around
You can talk to Him silently
There's no need to make a sound

CHORUS

CHORUS

©2008 Dean Strickland

On November 27, 2008, mention of Never Die Records' Press Release was published at
On November 26, 2008, Never Die Records' Press Release was published on the following Websites:
On November 25, 2008, Never Die Records released its Press Release titled "Never Die - The Dean Strickland Story" through
Photographs of Dean along with his story was published on the front page and inside the November 24, 2008 edition of
The North Texas e-News write up on Dean Strickland

On November 21, 2008, In Bowie, Texas where Dean hitchhiked to from San Antonio, Texas, Never Die Records release the following:
Dean photograph and story was published in the November 20, 2008 issue of the Howard Payne University Yellow Jacket.
Yellow Jacket write up on Dean Strickland
The Yellow Jacket write up on Dean Strickland

Then, Dean started hitchhiking north on I-35 on his way out of San Antonio, Texas. On November 14, 2008, Dean performed a scheduled at Elena's Pinos #2 Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas. On November 13, 2008, Dean spoke with on the phone, asking for  exposure for his story and upcoming show at the Narrow Trail Cowboy Church in Plano, Texas, to Allen Rich of
On November 11, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at Elena's Pinos #2 Mexican Restaurant and was booked to play there again at the same time on November 14, 2008. On November 10, 2008, Dean received a phone call from Mike Kennedy of AFM Local 72-147 who booked Dean to perform at 4:30pm on November 28, 2008 at the
Afterward, Dean got himself booked to perform there again the next day at the same time. On November 10, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at Elena's Pinos #2 Mexican Restaurant in San Antonio, Texas. Through email on November 9, 2008 with Tye Phelps, Owner of Love & War In Texas Restaurant, Dean got himself booked to perform at
located at the NE corner of Plano Pkwy & I-75 in Plano Texas on November 30, 2008 at 9:30am. On November 8, 2008, Dean acquired the Website:
On the morning of November 8, 2008, Dean played the Marty Robbins song "El Paso" for the owner of Elena's Los Pinos #2 Mexican Restaurant located at 1702 Broadway @ Pearl Pkwy, which resulted in him getting himself booked to perform there on November  10, 2008 from 11am -2pm. Afterward he was booked to play there again on during
on April 25, 2009 at 8pm. On November 7, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at B & D Ice House in San Antonio, Texas. Dean hitchhiked to San Antonio, Texas for his gig at B & D Ice House on November 7, 2008. While hitchhiking to San Antonio, Dean caught a ride from and sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Joan Witscher. Then from Bowie, Texas, Dean began hitchhiking to San Antonio, Texas for his gig at B & D Ice House on November 7, 2008, and he stopped in Brownwood, Texas to pick up copies of Howard Payne University's The Yellow Jacket October 23, 2008 issue in which his story was published on the front page.
Yellow Jacket write up on Dean Strickland
The Yellow Jacket write up on Dean Strickland

On October 22, 2008, Dean acquired the Website:
On October 19, while in Bowie, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
I'm So Thankful

When I find myself angry
For how life sometimes treats me
Or I find myself feeling sad
 For times when I'm not happy

I know what is best for me
When those emotions start kickin' in
I open my Holy Bible and I start reading

CHORUS:
I'm so thankful God sent His Word
And He gave me the choice like each one of us
To hear what the Prophets heard

I can read just a single verse in the book of Psalms
That's more than enough to lift my spirits up
And it helps me to carry on

CHORUS

Or I'll recite John 3:16 which I have memorized
And before I know it I have shook the bad times


©2008 Dean Strickland

Then, Dean hitchhiked his way to Bowie, Texas to visit his mother, and  cast his ballot for President Of The United States during early voting. On October 11, 2008, Dean was booked over the phone to perform November 7, 2008 from 8-11pm at B & D Ice House located at 1004 S. Alamo in San Antonio, Texas. On October 11, 2008, after his Clarendon gig was canceled due to rain, Dean started hitchhiking east on I-40 in Amarillo, Texas, and was offered a ride from Larry R. Preddy, Editor and Publisher of the Amarillo American Standard. That same day Mr. Preddy made phone calls, and arranged for Dean to do a live audition at the Lone Star Bar & Grill located at 935 E. FM 1151 in Amarillo, Texas, which Dean did and passed, and later that night he performed two sets of country music sponsored by  Mr. Preddy. On October 8, 2008, Dean continued traveling hitchhiking his way to Amarillo, Texas from Lubbock, Texas.
Thank you, Linda Baird of Brownwood, Texas for buying me a Greyhound bus ticket to Lubbock, Texas from Brownwood, Texas on October 7, 2008.
On October 6, 2008, Dean hitchhiked his way to Brownwood, Texas where he walked to Howard Payne University, and was given copies by of The Yellow Jacket newspaper in which his story was published by Mike Lee. Then, Dean began hitchhiking Amarillo, Texas for his gig at the Bar H Ranch  in Clarendon, Texas. On October 4, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at the Friendly Bar & Bistro in Johnson City, Texas. On October 1, 2008 while hitchhiking to Johnson City, Texas, in Oak Hill, Texas in Travis County, Dean was picked up by John Hallowell who interviewed him and took his photograph hiking on Highway 290 in Blanco County, Texas, and on stage at the Friendly Bar & Bistro in Johnson City, Texas for publication in the Texas Hill Country Magazine. Dean's photograph and story was published in the

July - Sept. 2008 issue of The Dallas/Fort Worth MUSICIAN Magazine
Dallas/Fort Worth MUSICIAN write up on Dean Strickland
The Dallas/Fort Worth MUSICIAN write up on Dean Strickland

On September 30, 2008, by networking while in Austin, Texas, Dean received a phone call from John Hallowell, Editor of
who made arrangments to pick him up, interview him and give him a ride to Johnson City Texas. On September 30, 2008, The Patricio International Variety Show featuring Dean Strickland aired at 5:30pm in Nashville, Tennessee on CATV Channel 19. Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Les Jones from whom he accepted a ride while hitchhiking to Johnson City, Texas from Fort Worth, Texas. Then, Dean began hitchhiking to Johnson City, Texas for his gig at the Friendly Bar Bistro on October 4, 2008. On September 29, 2008, Dean mailed a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD and bumber sticker to
located at Piusplein 46, 462IEN Bergen op Zoom in the Netherlands, per an email Dean received on September 28, 2008 from Alex Pijnen requesting a copy for radio play. On September 28, 2008, The Patrcio International Variety Show featuring Dean Strickland aired at 10:30pm in Nashville, Tennessee on CATV Channel 19. On September 27, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at Sundance Square in Downtown Fort Worth, Texas. Two photographs of Dean and his story was published in the September 25, 2008 issue of Howard Payne University's student run newspaper, The Yellow Jacket.
Yellow Jacket write up on Dean Strickland
The Yellow Jacket write up on Dean Strickland

Then, Dean hitchhiked from Fort Worth, Texas to Brownwood, Texas for his gig at Sundance Square in Downtown on September 27, 2008. During his performance at the Brownwood Reunion Celelbration, photographs of Dean were taken by Tamatha faircloth for publication in the Howard Payne University's newspaper The Yellow Jacket. On September 20, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at the
Brownwood Reunion Celebration Festival
On the morning of September 20, 2008, while waiting to perform on the Hometown Hero Stage, Dean gave a live on-air radio interview to Carl Wayne of
KOXE 101.3FM
Dean's photograph and story was published in the September 20, 2008 issue of the Brownwood bulletin.
Brownwood Reuinion write up on Dean Strickland
The Brownwood Bulletin write up on Dean Strickland (Photo taken on September 18, 2008)

At 5:50pm on September 19, 2008, Dean performed live on-air his song "Something To You I Just Wanted To Tell", and gave an interview to Mark Cope and Sam Coursey on KXYL 96.9FM, also played as an introduction to Dean's interview was his song "The Good Lord Knows" from his Hitchhiking Guitarman CD. On September 19, 2008, Dean walked to
in Brownwood, Texas where he was photographed by Faculty Adviser of the student run newspaper The Yellow Jacket, Mike Lee, also at Howard Payne University, Dean was interviewed by Student Writer, Tamatha Faircloth. On September 18, 2008, Photographer, Heather Nix photographed Dean as preparations were being made for the Brownwood Reunion Celebration.
Dean Strickland in Brownwood, TX 9-18-2008
Dean Strickland in Brownwood, TX 9-18-2008Dean Strickland in Brownwood, TX 9-18-2008
Dean Strickland in Brownwood, TX 9-18-2008
Dean Strickland in Brownwood, TX 9-18-2008Dean Strickland in Brownwood, TX 9-18-2008
Buy These photos in different sizes at www.nixpixstudios.com
ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland in Brownwood, Texas on September 18, 2008 taken by Heather Nix

On September 18, 2008, Dean walked into the Brownwood Bulletin Building located at 700 Carnegie in Brownwood, Texas, and gave an interview to Candace Cooksey Fulton who also took a picture of Dean in the parking lot for publication.  On September 18, 2008, into the Brownwood Television Cable Channel 25 building located at 310 Carnegie in Brownwood, Texas and sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to General Manager, Karen McMillian who told Dean that she would play it on the air to promote his show at The Brownwood Reunion Celebration. On September 18, 2008, Dean walked into the KXYL 96.9FM building located at 600 Fisk Avenue in Brownwood, Texas, and gave a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Mike Cope who scheduled Dean to give a radio interview live on-air on September 19, 2008 at 5:45pm. While hitchhiking to Brownwood, Texas, Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Sherry Dollison. Then, Dean hitchhiked to Brownwood, Texas for his gig at The Brownwood Reunion Celebration Festival at noon on September 20, 2008. Early in the morning on September 12, 2008, from Austin, Texas, Dean took a Greyhound bus to Dallas, Texas. While traveling in Dallas Texas on September 12, 2008, Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Arnie Morton. Later that evening, Dean performed as scheduled in a Musicians Union Local 72-147 strike in Downtown Dallas, Texas in front of the Majestic Theater.

ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at the Musicians Union Local 72-147 strike in front of the Majestic Theater in Dallas, Texas on September 12. 2008 taken by Naomi Vaughan


Dean's story of hitchhiking from Nashville, Tennessee to Galveston, Texas to play a weekend gig, but instead took an evacuee bus to Austin, Texas was published in the
Austin American Statesman write up on Dean Strickland
The Austin American Statesman write up on Dean Strickland

On September 11, 2008, while awaiting an evacuee bus at the Galveston Community Center, Dean gave an interview to Tony Plohetski, Writer for The Austin American Statesman, also while awaiting the evacuee bus, Dean gave two video interviews, one live-on-air to
and another interview video recorded with
On September 11, 2008, due to a mandatory evacuation of Galveston Island, Texas for Hurricane Ike, Dean took an evacuee bus to Austin, Texas.
Dean Strickland awaiting a Hurricane Ike evacuee bus in Galveston, TX 9-11-2008
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland awaiting a Hurricane Ike evacuee bus at the Galveston Community Center in Galveston, Texas on September 11, 2008 taken by MedicalStudent

On the morning of September 11, 2008, Dean made a phone call to Mike Kennedy of the AFM Local 772-147 to accept a gig in Dallas, Texas on September 12, 2008, that he had previously turned down due already having a gig that weekend in Galveston, Texas. On September 10, 2008, you a few hours having arrived in Galveston, Texas, Dean received an email from Wrecks Bell, Owner of the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe stating the cancellation of all shows on September 12th & 13th due to Hurricane Ike. Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to the following people while hitchhiking to, and with who he accepted rides from while hitchhiking to Galveston, Texas:
Linden C. Wolfe, Jeremy Greer, Jeff Clayton and Jeff Collins
Then Dean began hitchhiking to Galveston, Texas from Nashville, Tennessee for his gig at the Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe on September 13, 2008. After the Nashville Cowboy Church service on August 31, 2008, Dean met and had his photograph taken with
and
Ben Jones, Dean Strickland and Rick Hurst in Nashville, TN 8-31-2008
ABOVE: Photo Dean Strickland with Ben Jones and Rick Hurst (Cooder and Deputy Cletus from the TV show The Dukes Of Hazzard) at the Nashville Cowboy Church in Nashville, Tennessee on August 31, 2008 taken by Phil Morris

In the Ernest Tubb Record shop, which is next to the Texas Troubadour Theatre, after the Nashville Cowboy Church service, Dean gave an interview to Jimmy Nash of
Nash3
that was filmed for video producer Mindy Pierce. On August 31, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at the Nashville Cowboy Church, a service that is broadcast into over 110 countries, reaching millions through WSM Radio, Willie's Place on XM Satellite Radio and WWCR (World Wide Country Radio)
Dean Strickland performing at The Nashville Cowboy Church 8-31-2008
Dean Strickland and The Nashville Cowboy Church and The OK Corral 8-31-2008
ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland performing with the Nashville Cowboy Church Band and the OK Corral at the Nashville Cowboy Church in Nashville, Tennessee on August 30, 2008 taken by Mike Speck

On Saturday night, August 30, 2008, Dean walked into
Rudi's Country Music Cafe
located at 2146 Music Valley Drive Suite #104 In Nashville, Tennessee where he was filmed performing the songs "He Stopped Loving Her Today", "Good Hearted Woman", "I'll Leave This World Loving You" and "Does Fort Worth ever Cross Your Mind" accompanied by Diane Berry on acoustic guitar and bback up vocals, Audie Shields on steel guitar, and Jack Lawless on bass. That night at Rudi's Country Music Cafe, Dean met and was photographed with
Texas Troubadour Guitarist, Leon Rhodes
Texas Troubadour, Leon Rhodes and Dean Strickland in Nashville, TN 8-30-2008
ABOVE: Photo of Texas Troubadour Guitarist, Leon Rhodes and Dean Strickland at Rudi's Country Music Cafe in Nashville, Tennessee on August 30, 2008 taken by Gary Gibson

On August 29, 2009, through email with Owner, Wrecks Bell, Dean got himself booked to perform at
The Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe
located at 413 - 20th Street in Galveston, Texas at 9pm on September 13, 2008. On the morning of August 29, 2008, Dean gave a filmed interview to
Vanderbilt University's Freedom Forum Diversity Institute
journalism students Brian Slodysko, Jeanette Ceja and Regina Dennis, and during the interview, Dean performed his song "Out On The Run" on stage at
The Nashville Music City Visitor Information Center
located at 5th Avenue and Broadway.
Dean Strickland at The Nashville Music City Visitor Center in Nashville, TN 8-31-2008
(Click photo above to watch video interview/performance)
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland on stage at the Nashville Music City Vistor Center in Nashville, Tennessee on August 29, 2008 taken by Allison Vague


On August 28, 2008, Dean with Billy Falcon and The Sowing Circle played the song "Dead Flowers" by the Rolling Stones at The Blue Bar in Nashville, Tennessee. On August 27, 2008, Dean was street teaming in Nashville, Tennessee sticking his Hitchhiking Guitarman sickers on poles and signs when he was approached by Bob Tangredi, Owner of
Tangedi's Italian Kitchen
located at 2323 Elliston Place in Nashville, Tennessee, and was invited to perform on the restaurant's brand new stage. That night, Dean performed a full hour set during the break of scheduled artist
David St. Romain
On August 25, 2008, Dean discussed over the phone the start of a film documentary in January of 2009 in South Padre Island, Texas with award winning Texas based writer and director,
Dean J. Augustin

Patricio and Dean Striclkland on CATV-19 in Nashville, TN 8-23-2008
(Click video still above to watch TV interview/performance)
ABOVE: Video still of Patricio and Dean Strickland on The Patricio International Variety Show on CATV-19 in Nashville, Tennessee on August 23, 2008

On the evening of August 23, 2008, Dean gave an
interview
and performed his song
"Beautiful Memories"
on The Patricio International Variety Show on
located at Nashville Tech Campus at 120 White Bridge Road in Nashville, Tennessee.
Billy Falcon and Dean Strickland on Lower Broadway in Nashville, TN 8-23-2008
ABOVE: Photo of Billy Falcon and Dean Strickland on Lower Broadway in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee on August 23, 2008 taken by Teresa Lynn Weakley

On August 23, 2008, Dean met
Billy Falcon
on Lower Broadway in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, and was invited to play a song with The Sowing Circle at The Blue Bar located at 1911 Broadway at 10pm on August 28, 2008. On the morning of August 23, 2008, while playing for tips on Lower Broadway in Downtown Nashville, Tennessee, Dean was approached by Nashville Producer, Video, TV, International Radio Host and talent scout, Patricio. On August 19, 2008, Dean received a phone call from David McCombs who booked Dean to perform at the
in Brownwood, Texas on September 20th on the Hometown Hero Stage at noon. On August 15, 2008, while in Nashville, Tennessee, Dean wrote his song:
 No Discount On Your Love

CHORUS:
I found out there ain't no discount on your love
I should have respected you and expected to
Pay the full price set in Heaven above

I have no excuse I was a fool
I'm sorry that I hurt you
But I understand now
There ain't no discount on your love

Late last night the love of my life and I had a silly fight
About money and ol' dumb me
Said what was neither funny nor right

CHORUS

This mornin' I wrote down my thoughts

And with a stamped envelope I did walk
Out to our mailbox and sent her these words
In a note to her mother's

CHORUS

Please come home now I don't need no discount on your love

©2008 Dean Strickland


On August 8, 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 September 27, 2008 from 7-10pm. Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to the following people while either in Nashville, Tennessee, or while hitchhiking to Nashville, Tennessee from Fort Worth, Texas:
Billy Ray Peters, Andy Bell, Michael Pappas, Vilayvieng Sivannarath (bought 3 CDs), Frank Mangiameli, Bill Poe, Laura McDonald, Brett Swain, Lorna Ziller, Margie Gayle and Martha Mires
Then, Dean hitchhiked to Nashville, Tennessee from Fort Worth, Texas for his gig at the Nashville Cowboy Church on August 31, 2008. On August 2, 2008, Dean performed as scheduled at Sundance Square in Downtown Fort Worth, Texas. A letter Dean sent to the Eidtor of American Cowboy Magazine was published in the August/September 2008 online issue at

www.americancowboy.com/08
Dean's Hitchhiking Guitarman CD ad was published in the August/September 2008 issue of Lonestarmusic Magazine.
1/8 page ad for Hitchhiking Guitarman CD by Dean Strickland in Lonestarmusic Mag Aug/Sept 2008
1/8 page ad for the Hitchhiking Guitarman CD by Dean Strickland in the Lonestarmusic Magazine's August/September 2008 issue

On July 24, 2008, Dean confirmed through email, a gig opening for the band Fahl & Folk at the Last Concert Cafe located at 1403 Nance St. in Houston, Texas at 6pm on December 14, 2008. On July 23, 2008, Dean's photograph and story was published on the front page and inside the Handley Hearald.
Handley Herald write up on Dean StricklandHandley Herald write up on Dean Strickland
The Handley Harald write up on Dean Strickland

Dean Strickland performing at Handley Baptist Church in Handley, TX 6-28-2008
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at the Handley Baptist Church in Handley, Texas on June 28, 2008 taken by Wayne Ludwig

On July 20, 2008, Dean received a phone call from his friend and Single Action Shooting Society member, S. Parker Lamb AKA Perilous Parker who asked Dean to perform and then booked him a show on October 11th & 12th, 2008 at the Bar H Dude Ranch  Weekend Round Up in Clarendon, Texas.  After that, Dean hitchhiked to Fort Worth, Texas from Beaumont, Texas for a gig as a strolling musician in Downtown at Sundance Square at 7pm. Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to the following people while hitchhiking and with whom he hitched a ride from Beaumont, Texas to Fort Worth, Texas:
Sam Lyles, Brittney Bufkin, Rachel Johnson, Ray Harris, Rick Schneider, Herman Smith and Kelly Van Order
On July 16, 2008, Dean accomplished his goal  that while traveling by hitchhiking to reach fifty cities where after arriving in those cities to either book there a gig, perform live on stage in front of an audience at a bar or church, perform live on television or radio a song he wrote, or record a song he wrote in a recording studio. That goal of Dean's was accomplished after he had hitchhiked to, and did business with his music in the following cities:
Abilene, TX, Albert, TX, Amarillo, TX, Austin, TX, Bandera, TX, Beaumont, TX, Boerne, TX, Brenham, TX, Brownwood, TX, Bryan, TX, Corpus Christi, TX, Dalhart, TX, Dallas, TX, Denton, TX, Driftwood, TX, El Paso, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Fredericksburg, TX, Galveston, TX, Granbury, TX, Handley, TX (Fort Worth, TX), Houston, TX, Huntsville, TX, Johnson City, TX, Kerville, TX, Kildare, TX, Kingsbury, TX, Linden, TX, Lockhart, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Lubbock, TX, Luckenbach, TX, Luling, TX, Matamoros, MX, Montague, TX, Nash, TX, Nashville, TN, Panhandle, TX, Paris, TX, Port Aransas, TX, Plano, TX, San Antonio, TX, San Marcos, TX, Seguin, TX, Sherman, TX, Sisterdale, TX, South Padre Island, TX, Texarkana, AR, Tyler, TX, Waco, TX, and Wichita Falls, TX.
Then, Dean hitchhiked from Beaumont, Texas to Bandera, Texas where on July 16, 2008, he walked into Evelyn's Club House located at 7050 College St., and spoke to the owner Matt Christopher and got himself booked to perform there on December 20, 2008 at 7pm. Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to the following people while hitchhiking and whith whom he hitched a ride from Bandera, Texas to Beaumont, Texas:
Dale Hardy and David Payne
On the evening of July 12, 2008, Dean hitchhiked from Bandera, Texas to Johnson City, Texas to pick up a copy of the July 10, 2008 Johnson City Record Courier which has a photograph in it of Dean performing at the July 4th Spange-Dangle. On Sunday morning, July 13, 2008, Dean was hitchhiking to Beaumont, Texas on Highway 290 in Johnson City, Texas when Dale Hardy saw Dean and invited him to church. That morning, Dean performed for the congregation his songs "The Perfect Place", "The Life Of Our Lord And Savior Jesus Christ", and "With You Step By Step" at the

A photograph of Dean performing at the 6th Annual July 4th Spange-Dangle in Johnson City, Texas taken by taken by Leon Rivers ran in the July 10, 2008 issue of the Johnson City Record Courier.
Dean Stricklands photograph in the Johnson City Record Courier
Dean Strickland's photo published in the Johnson City Record Courier

While hitchhiking in San Antonio, Texas to Bandera, Texas on July 9, 2008, and while in Bandera on July 10, Dean wrote his song:
Out On The Run

I got my guitar case in hand
I can't make myself wait on a band
My Martin D28 Guitar
I'm playin' and singin' in churches and bars

I'm unsure of where I'm gonna be tomorrow
As down long roads and highways I follow
My dream and my destiny to wherever it leads me

An awesome sense of what it is to be free
I feel as I'm hitchin' rides across the state
Hitchhiking to my next gig I can't be late
I'm havin' so much fun out on the run

every journey's a new adventure and so sweet
Thanks to all of the good folks out there that I meet
reinforcing this ol' American Cowboy's Christian beliefs
And helping to make the world not as bad a place as some would make it out to be

An awesome sense of what it is to be free
I feel as I'm hitchin' rides across the state
Hitchhiking to my next gig I can't be late
I'm havin' so much fun out on the run
I'm havin' so much fun out on the run
I'm havin' so much fun out on the run
I'm havin' so much fun out on the run

©2008 Dean Strickland

Through email, on July 7, 2008, Dean was booked to perform at the Nashville Cowboy Church in Nashville, Tennessee on August 31. 2008. On July 7, 2008, Dean began hitchhiking to Bandera, Texas from Bowie, Texas to perform at the Bandera Saloon on July 12, 2008 from noon til 4pm and made it as far as San Marcos, Texas where at the San Marcos Daily Record Building he picked up copies of the June 27, 2008 newspaper in which his story and photograph was published. Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to the following people while hitchhiking and with whom he hitched a ride from Bowie, Texas to Bandera, Texas:
Ken McCutcheon, Bob Habengreither, Chris Serna, Robert Rubio, Ray Tidwell, Marti & Leanne Bruton and Belle Meeks
Then from Handley, Texas, Dean caught a few rides to his mother's house in Bowie, Texas where she drove him to his gig at the VFW in Fredericksburg, Texas where he performed as scheduled on July 3, 2008, and the next day he performed as scheduled with his mother present at the 6th Annual July 4th Spange-Dangle in Johnson City, Texas at which he was photographed during his performance by jimmy Jacks (Leon Rivers) of the Johnson City Record Courier.

Dean Strickland performing at the 2008 July 4th Spange-Dangle
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at the 2008 July 4th Spange-Dangle in Johnson City, Texas taken by Leon Rivers