Follow Dean at:
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www.twitter.com/deanstrickland
Click here for upcoming performance dates
&
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
On March 6, 2010, Dean bought a used transmission for his van from
in San Antonio, Texas. On March 5, 2010, Dean became a member of the
On March 5, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas. On February 28, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas. On February 20, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera, Texas. On the morning of February 20, 2010, while, Dean was driving to Bandera, Texas from Albert, Texas the driveshaft, and rear transmission housing on his van broke off on FM 1376 between Sisterdale, Texas and Boerne, Texas. On February 19, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas. On February 18, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Friendly Bar in Johnson City, Texas. On February 18, 2010, Dean was booked by Brandon Easley to perform at the Albert Ice House on February 28, 2010, and March 5th, 14th, 21st & 26th, 2010. On February 16, 2010, Dean walked into the 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera, Texas, and spoke to Owner, James McGroarty, and got himself booked to perform there on February 20, 2010 from 1-4pm. On February 13th & 14th, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas, and afterward was booked to play there again in February 19, 2010. On February 12, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Hen House Cafe in Comfort, Texas. Then, Dean drove from Bandera, Texas to Comfort, Texas where he spoke to Wendy Jimenez, Proprietor of
located at 5B US Highway 87, and Dean got booked to perform there from 6-9pm on Friday, February 12, 2010. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bandera, Texas where he performed as scheduled at the The Wild Horse Saloon on Febraury 7, 2010 after the Super Bowl. Then, Dean drove from Bowie, Texas to Albert, Texas, where he performed as scheduled on February 7, 2010 at the Albert Ice House Super Bowl party, and performed the song "Beer, Bait and Ammo", plus with his pocket knife requested that an autograph be scratched in his Martin D28 by guest songwriter, who said to Dean "Good job on my song",
Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bowie, Texas to visit his Mother. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bandera, Texas where he performed on the afternoon of January 30, 2010 as scheduled at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, and that same day drove back to Albert, Texas where he performed that night at the Albert Ice House, and afterward was booked to perform there again on the night of February 5th, and from 2-5pm on Febraury 7, 2010. On January 29, 2010, Dean drove from Johnson City, Texas to Albert, Texas where he performed as scheduled that night, and afterward was booked to play there again on the night of January 30, 2010. On January 29, 2010, while in Johnson City, Texas, Dean decided to no longer accept the help of D & B Booking, and therefore to not confirm the gigs he booked through them in Pleasanton and Richmond, Texas. Then, on January 28, 2010, Dean drove from Bandera, Texas to Johnson City, Texas where he performed as scheduled at The Friendly Bar. Then, Dean drove to Bandera, Texas where he went to the Dogleg Coffeehouse and rescheduled his April 10th booking for May 1, 2010. On January 24, 2010, Dean performed at The Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas, and afterward was booked there again for January 29, 2010, and April 10, 2010, after performing that earlier that same day at a wedding in Blanco, Texas, which Brandon Easley, Albert Town Manager booked for Dean. On January 24, 2010, Dean spoke on the phone with the owner of The Wild Horse Saloon in Bandera, Texas, and got himself booked to perform there on February 7, 2010 at 9pm. On January 24, 2010, Dean drove from Bandera, Texas to Fredericksburg, Texas where he performed at The Alamo Springs Cafe. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bandera, Texas where on January 23, 2010 he did three things, first, he spoke to the booker at the Dogleg Coffeehouse located at 315 Main Street, and got himself booked to perform there on April 10, 2010 from 4-7pm, second, he spoke to the owner of the
located at 307 11th Street, and got himself booked to perform there on January 30, 2010 from 1-4pm, and the third thing he did was later that evening, he performed at The Wild Horse Saloon located at 134 River Bnd. Then, from San Antonio, Texas, Dean drove to Albert, Texas where he performed on January 22, 2010, and was booked to perform there again on January 25, 2010. On January 19, 2010, Dean was booked through D & B Booking to perform on May 27, 2010 at 9pm. in Richmond, Texas at the
Then from Albert, Texas, Dean drove to San Antonio, Texas where on January 18, 2010 at Wavemaker Studio, he recorded his song "Green Trees".
Click play to hear "Green Trees"
Then, Dean drove from Bowie, Texas to Albert, Texas where he performed on January 15, 2010. Then, Dean drove from Temple, Texas to Bowie, Texas to visit with his mom, and where on January 14, 2010, he mailed four "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs to Horse Country Saddlery in Mineral Wells, Texas to be donated in a CD case in a fundraiser, plus sold in store, also he met with Dillon and Brenda of
Then, Dean drove from Fredericksburg, Texas to Temple, Texas where he posed beside his van for the following photograph:
Then, Dean drove from Fredericksburg, Texas to Albert, Texas where he played a show the night of January 10, 2010 at the Albert Ice House. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Fredericksburg, Texas where on January 10, 2010, he put his song "Green Trees" to music, and performed at the Alamo Springs Cafe. On January 9, 2010, Dean drive from Bayview, Texas to Albert, Texas where he performed that night. While driving south on Hwy. 77 in the Rio Grande Valley on this way to Bayview, Texas on January 8th, and then north on Hwy. 77 leaving the Valley, Dean wrote the lyrics to his song:
in San Antonio, Texas. On March 5, 2010, Dean became a member of the
On March 5, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas. On February 28, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas. On February 20, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera, Texas. On the morning of February 20, 2010, while, Dean was driving to Bandera, Texas from Albert, Texas the driveshaft, and rear transmission housing on his van broke off on FM 1376 between Sisterdale, Texas and Boerne, Texas. On February 19, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas. On February 18, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Friendly Bar in Johnson City, Texas. On February 18, 2010, Dean was booked by Brandon Easley to perform at the Albert Ice House on February 28, 2010, and March 5th, 14th, 21st & 26th, 2010. On February 16, 2010, Dean walked into the 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera, Texas, and spoke to Owner, James McGroarty, and got himself booked to perform there on February 20, 2010 from 1-4pm. On February 13th & 14th, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas, and afterward was booked to play there again in February 19, 2010. On February 12, 2010, Dean performed as scheduled at The Hen House Cafe in Comfort, Texas. Then, Dean drove from Bandera, Texas to Comfort, Texas where he spoke to Wendy Jimenez, Proprietor of
located at 5B US Highway 87, and Dean got booked to perform there from 6-9pm on Friday, February 12, 2010. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bandera, Texas where he performed as scheduled at the The Wild Horse Saloon on Febraury 7, 2010 after the Super Bowl. Then, Dean drove from Bowie, Texas to Albert, Texas, where he performed as scheduled on February 7, 2010 at the Albert Ice House Super Bowl party, and performed the song "Beer, Bait and Ammo", plus with his pocket knife requested that an autograph be scratched in his Martin D28 by guest songwriter, who said to Dean "Good job on my song",
Kevin Fowler
ABOVE: Kevin Fowler autographing Dean's Martin D28 guitar after his performance at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas on February 7, 2010 taken by JW Smith
On February 3, 2010, while in Bowie, Texas, Dean gave an interview over the phone to Sherry Jane Cooke, Columnist for theABOVE: Kevin Fowler autographing Dean's Martin D28 guitar after his performance at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas on February 7, 2010 taken by JW Smith
Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bowie, Texas to visit his Mother. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bandera, Texas where he performed on the afternoon of January 30, 2010 as scheduled at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar, and that same day drove back to Albert, Texas where he performed that night at the Albert Ice House, and afterward was booked to perform there again on the night of February 5th, and from 2-5pm on Febraury 7, 2010. On January 29, 2010, Dean drove from Johnson City, Texas to Albert, Texas where he performed as scheduled that night, and afterward was booked to play there again on the night of January 30, 2010. On January 29, 2010, while in Johnson City, Texas, Dean decided to no longer accept the help of D & B Booking, and therefore to not confirm the gigs he booked through them in Pleasanton and Richmond, Texas. Then, on January 28, 2010, Dean drove from Bandera, Texas to Johnson City, Texas where he performed as scheduled at The Friendly Bar. Then, Dean drove to Bandera, Texas where he went to the Dogleg Coffeehouse and rescheduled his April 10th booking for May 1, 2010. On January 24, 2010, Dean performed at The Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas, and afterward was booked there again for January 29, 2010, and April 10, 2010, after performing that earlier that same day at a wedding in Blanco, Texas, which Brandon Easley, Albert Town Manager booked for Dean. On January 24, 2010, Dean spoke on the phone with the owner of The Wild Horse Saloon in Bandera, Texas, and got himself booked to perform there on February 7, 2010 at 9pm. On January 24, 2010, Dean drove from Bandera, Texas to Fredericksburg, Texas where he performed at The Alamo Springs Cafe. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Bandera, Texas where on January 23, 2010 he did three things, first, he spoke to the booker at the Dogleg Coffeehouse located at 315 Main Street, and got himself booked to perform there on April 10, 2010 from 4-7pm, second, he spoke to the owner of the
located at 307 11th Street, and got himself booked to perform there on January 30, 2010 from 1-4pm, and the third thing he did was later that evening, he performed at The Wild Horse Saloon located at 134 River Bnd. Then, from San Antonio, Texas, Dean drove to Albert, Texas where he performed on January 22, 2010, and was booked to perform there again on January 25, 2010. On January 19, 2010, Dean was booked through D & B Booking to perform on May 27, 2010 at 9pm. in Richmond, Texas at the
Then from Albert, Texas, Dean drove to San Antonio, Texas where on January 18, 2010 at Wavemaker Studio, he recorded his song "Green Trees".
Click play to hear "Green Trees"
Then, Dean drove from Bowie, Texas to Albert, Texas where he performed on January 15, 2010. Then, Dean drove from Temple, Texas to Bowie, Texas to visit with his mom, and where on January 14, 2010, he mailed four "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs to Horse Country Saddlery in Mineral Wells, Texas to be donated in a CD case in a fundraiser, plus sold in store, also he met with Dillon and Brenda of
Then, Dean drove from Fredericksburg, Texas to Temple, Texas where he posed beside his van for the following photograph:
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland on January 10, 2010, posing beside his van that was
given to him by Rattlesnake Dell Shane Purvis of Acton, TX on December
7, 2009 taken by Jim Gregg
Then, Dean drove from Fredericksburg, Texas to Albert, Texas where he played a show the night of January 10, 2010 at the Albert Ice House. Then, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to Fredericksburg, Texas where on January 10, 2010, he put his song "Green Trees" to music, and performed at the Alamo Springs Cafe. On January 9, 2010, Dean drive from Bayview, Texas to Albert, Texas where he performed that night. While driving south on Hwy. 77 in the Rio Grande Valley on this way to Bayview, Texas on January 8th, and then north on Hwy. 77 leaving the Valley, Dean wrote the lyrics to his song:
Green Trees
I’m thinking about you as I roll along beside a Santa Fe train
Headed south in the Rio Grande Valley on a strip of two lane highway
I’ve been on the road for a long time you know now with recent additions to the lonely
It’s miserably cold and the naked trees show their stems in all of their beauty
PRE-CHORUS
Summer was the time that you and I met
And the happiest by far that I have known yet
I never was a fan of a January freeze
And can’t wait ‘til Spring time when again I will see
CHORUS:
Green trees that give us oxygen we breathe
You giving to me and I to you love we need
God gave Adam his first breath of life
To me all we share together is as nice
Two of God’s creations that mean the world to me
Are you and green trees
The palm trees here in this southern hemisphere are being blown by the wind
But I won’t stay here long because in my song I soon will see you again
As soon as the trees have grown their new leaves and as prisoners of Winter we’re freed
My tour will go north and I’ll sing for all sorts and maybe someday we will marry
PRE-CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
Two of God’s creations that mean the world to me
Are you and green trees
©2010 Dean Strickland
Then from Johnson City, Texas, Dean drove to Bayview, Texas where on
January 8, 2010, he performed as scheduled at Harley's Bar and Country
Store. On January 7, 2010, Dean drove from Bowie, Texas to Johnson City, Texas and performed as scheduled at The Friendly Bar. During their phone conversation on January 6, 2010, Mike Davenport requested of Dean to write a song about trees. On January 6, 2010, Dean received a phone call from the City of Euless, Texas Recreation Superintendent, Michael Davenport who booked, Dean to perform in Euless, Texas on April 24, 2010 at theI’m thinking about you as I roll along beside a Santa Fe train
Headed south in the Rio Grande Valley on a strip of two lane highway
I’ve been on the road for a long time you know now with recent additions to the lonely
It’s miserably cold and the naked trees show their stems in all of their beauty
PRE-CHORUS
Summer was the time that you and I met
And the happiest by far that I have known yet
I never was a fan of a January freeze
And can’t wait ‘til Spring time when again I will see
CHORUS:
Green trees that give us oxygen we breathe
You giving to me and I to you love we need
God gave Adam his first breath of life
To me all we share together is as nice
Two of God’s creations that mean the world to me
Are you and green trees
The palm trees here in this southern hemisphere are being blown by the wind
But I won’t stay here long because in my song I soon will see you again
As soon as the trees have grown their new leaves and as prisoners of Winter we’re freed
My tour will go north and I’ll sing for all sorts and maybe someday we will marry
PRE-CHORUS
CHORUS
CHORUS
Two of God’s creations that mean the world to me
Are you and green trees
©2010 Dean Strickland
After that,
Dean drove from Fredericksburg, Texas to get his van worked on in
Acton, Texas and Azle, Texas, and to visit with his Mother in Bowie,
Texas. Then, Dean drove from Spicewood, Texas to Fredericksburg, Texas where, he performed as scheduled at Hondo's on January 3, 2010. On January 1, 2010, Dean drove from Albert, Texas to the Freddy Powers Annual Black-eyed-pea & Cabbage Pickin' Party in Spicewood, Texas. Then on December, 31, 2009, Dean drove from Spicewood, Texas to Albert, Texas where he performed as scheduled at a New Years Eve party at the Albert Ice House.
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas on New Years Eve 2009 taken by Alyce Howard
On December 31, 2009, Dean performed live, for Poodie's mother, Mama Locke, his song "That Very Sad Sixth Day Of May (At Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse)" at her home in Spicewood, Texas. Then, Dean drove from San Antonio to Spicewood, Texas where on December 30, 2009, he performed his song "That Very Sad Sixth Day Of May (At Poodie's Hilltop Roadhouse)" at the "No Bad Wednesday" open mic at Poodie' Bar & Grill, and was heard by Poodie's sister, Cindy Lou Locke, and Dean gave her an mp3 of the song. Then, Dean drove from Fredericksburg, Texas to San Antonio where on December 28, 2009, he recorded his song "I'm Sorry I Missed Your Call (Your Hitchhiking Guitarman)" at Wavemaker Studio.
Click play to hear "I'm Sorry I Missed Your Call (Your Hitchhiking Guitarman)"On the night of December 27, 2009, Dean drove to San Antonio, Texas for a recording session he booked for December 28, 2009 at Wavemaker Studio to record his song "I'm Sorry I Missed Your Call (You're Hitchhiking Guitarman)". On December 27, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg, Texas
(Click video still above to watch a clip of Dean performing Merle Haggard's "Silver Wings")
ABOVE: Video still of footage of Dean Strickland performing at Alamo Springs Cafe on December 27, 2009 in Fredericksburg, Texas shot by rf3po
(Click video still above to watch a clip of Dean performing Gary P. Nunn's "London Homesick Blues")
ABOVE: Video still of footage of Dean Strickland performing at Alamo Springs Cafe on December 27, 2009 in Fredericksburg, Texas shot by rf3po
On the night of December 26, 2009, Dean drove to Albert, Texas, and there, he performed from 7-11:30pm. On December 26, 2009, Dean made a phone call to the Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg, Texas, and got himself booked to perform there on December 27, 2009 from 1-4pm. On December 26, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at a private party in Blanco County, Texas. On December 26, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, and chatting with Alan Dean, Dean was booked to perform in Johnson City at the Blanco County Fairgrounds on March 27, 2010 during the
On December 23, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at Albert's Ice House in Albert, Texas.
ABOVE: Photos of Dean Strickland performing at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas on December 23, 2009 taken by JW Smith
On December 22nd & 23rd, while in Fredericksburg, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
I'm Sorry I Missed Your Call (Your Hitchhiking Guitarman)
CHORUS:
Darlin’ I’m sorry I missed your call
With you I surely would have loved to talk
If about nothing else other than how I hope you’re doing well
This delightful holiday season
The message you left is right you’re hard to reach on the phone
So with email Darlin’ I will write and send you a song
Why so much better am I when my song of love is written
Than am I on the line for some cannot it say reason
1st VERSE
I’ll always be your one and only Hitchhiking Guitarman
Thanks to Jesus and a good friend I now own a Chevy van
So drivin’ across the country and playing music is my new plan
I’d love it if you could go with me Darlin’ will you say you can
CHORUS
2nd VERSE
Before I have written to you with you I’m falling in love
A chance there is would you agree it’s meant to be from above
You and I could travel these United States and abroad together
Makin’ sweet and beautiful harmony through whatever God’s weather
BRIDGE:
The idea might seem crazy to you since I am a poor man
Your Hitchhiking Guitarman still I am though now with a van
And blessed I am because I choose in strong faith to make my stand
Each day I pray Christ will watch over me because He can
(1st 1/2 of CHORUS)
I hope you’re doing well this holiday season
©2009 Dean Strickland
On December 20, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Alamo Springs Cafe in Fredericksburg, Texas. On December 19, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Albert Ice House in Albert, Texas, and afterward was booked to play there again on December 23rd & 31, 2009. Then, Dean drove to Albert, Texas where he performed as scheduled on December 18, 2009 at the Albert Ice House, and afterward was booked to perform there again on December 19, 2009 at 9pm. On December 17, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled in San Antonio, Texas at The View Pub & Grub Tequila Bar both solo and along withCHORUS:
Darlin’ I’m sorry I missed your call
With you I surely would have loved to talk
If about nothing else other than how I hope you’re doing well
This delightful holiday season
The message you left is right you’re hard to reach on the phone
So with email Darlin’ I will write and send you a song
Why so much better am I when my song of love is written
Than am I on the line for some cannot it say reason
1st VERSE
I’ll always be your one and only Hitchhiking Guitarman
Thanks to Jesus and a good friend I now own a Chevy van
So drivin’ across the country and playing music is my new plan
I’d love it if you could go with me Darlin’ will you say you can
CHORUS
2nd VERSE
Before I have written to you with you I’m falling in love
A chance there is would you agree it’s meant to be from above
You and I could travel these United States and abroad together
Makin’ sweet and beautiful harmony through whatever God’s weather
BRIDGE:
The idea might seem crazy to you since I am a poor man
Your Hitchhiking Guitarman still I am though now with a van
And blessed I am because I choose in strong faith to make my stand
Each day I pray Christ will watch over me because He can
(1st 1/2 of CHORUS)
I hope you’re doing well this holiday season
©2009 Dean Strickland
On December 17, 2009, while in San Antonio, Texas, Dean received a telephone phone call from Rick Donald, who Dean picked guitar with the night before in Johnson City, and Rick invited Dean to perform at a private party in Blanco County, Texas on December 26, 2009, and Dean booked it. On the night of December 16, 2009, Dean drove to Johnson City, Texas from Fredericksburg, and sat in with the pickers at the 4 R Bar located at 110 Hwy 281, and afterward spoke with the Owner, Rosie about performing there at parties in the future, and afterward, he drove to San Antonio for his gig at The View Tequila Bar on December 17, 2009. On December 15, 2009, Dean drove to, and performed at the Grape Creek Cantina located eight miles east of Fredericksburg, Texas on Hwy 290. Later in the night, on December 13, 2009, Dean drove to Albert, Texas, and performed at the
and afterward, the Owner, Brandon booked Dean to perform there December 18, 2009 at 6pm. On December 13, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Alamo Springs Cafe in Federicksburg, Texas, and afterward got himself booked to perform there again on December 20, 2009 at noon. The next day, Dean drove to Fredricksburg, Texas to the
located at 107 Alamo Rd., and spoke with the Owner, Mike, and got himself booked to perform there on December 13, 2009 at noon. Then, Dean drove to Johnson City, Texas where on December 11, 2009 he performed as scheduled at The Friendly Bar, and afterward got himself booked to perform there again in 2010 on January, 7th & 28th, February 18th, March 11th & 19th, and April 2nd, 17th & 29th.
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at The Friendly Bar Bistro in Johnson City, Texas on December 11, 2009 taken by Nancy Carter
On December 10, 2009, Dean drove his van to Fredericksburg, Texas, walked into
and spoke to the Booker, Reba, and got himself booked to perform there on January 3, 2010 and April 18, 2010 from 7:30-10:30pm. Then, Dean took his van on the road to his gig at the Friendly Bar in Johnson City Texas from Bowie, Texas where he picked up his Fender Acoustasonic Junior amp and mic stand.
Thank you, Rattlesnake Dell Shane Purvis for the van.
On December 7, 2009, Dean became the owner of a 1990 Chevy van that Rattlesnake Dell Shane Purvis, of Acton, Texas, who met Dean several years before when he offered him a while hitchhiking to a gig south down Texas Hwy. 377, and that same van was given to Dean as a gift from Rattlesnake Dell Shane. Then, Dean hitchhiked to Bowie, Texas from Fort Worth to reload his bag with "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CDs. While hitchhiking from Bandera, Texas to Fort Worth, Dean made it as far as San Antonio on November 21, 2009, and received an invite through facebook.com from
to perform, which, Dean accepted and performed songs that night at the
Then, Dean hitchhiked from Bandera, Texas to Dallas, Texas, where from he caught the Greyhound bus to Fort Worth, Texas to spend Thanksgiving. On November 16, 2009, Dean's songs "Good Folks Who Love Jesus" and Forever where accepted by Ralph Hampton who said they will play them on the on
On November 15, 2009, Dean's songs "Good Folks Who Love Jesus" and Forever where accepted by Justin Thomas who said they "will spin them on the show" on
On November 14, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled with The Moonshiners at the Bandera Saloon in Bandera, Texas, and afterward owner, Rocky Lee Acosta tried to not fully pay the band, and the bar tender after paying Dean, told Dean that Rocky said don't come back. On November 14, 2009, Dean's songs "Good Folks Who Love Jesus" and Forever where accepted by Rick Dayton who said they "will be in the mix" on
On November 12, 2009, Dean recorded his songs "Good Folks Who Love Jesus"
Click play to hear "Good Folks Who Love Jesus"
Click play to hear "Forever"
On November 8, 2009, while in San Antonio, Texas, I reported Devorah Aikman http://www.myspace.com/devorahterry for harassment for continually contacting me after I asked her to stop. This is a very strange conversation between myself, and one whom I now consider a weird woman, Devorah Aikman of Kingdom Country Music:
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland performing at The Cincinnati Bar in El Paso, Texas on November 5, 2009 taken by Raquel Garcia
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland, Raquel & Alex at the Cincinnati Bar in El Paso, Texas on November 5, 2009 unknown photographer
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland, Raquel & Alex at the Cincinnati Bar in El Paso, Texas on November 5, 2009 unknown photographer
Dean's story and photograph was published in the
ABOVE: Photo of Dean Strickland in Beaumont, Texas on October 19, 2009 taken by Jim King
The Examiner's write up on Dean StricklandOn November 4th & 5th, 2009, while in El Paso, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
Good Folks Who Love Jesus
CHORUS:
No matter how hard he may try
The devil just can't get inside
The hearts of God fearing wise
Good folks who love Jesus
Knowing ol' Satan won't ever stop
Lying that a soul can always be bought
With the Lord as our mighty shield and rock
We're good folks who love Jesus
A young couple they were on the verge of sinning
But instead sought knowledge for a bright beginning
Listening to their parents who had said where to go
They walked holding hands to the church down the road
CHORUS
The couple heard the pastor there that gave this advice
Son ask her for her hand in marriage to start a new life
The moment that there of he knelt and took her hand
He asked her will you marry me and make me a happy mand
CHORUS
The woman then began to cry weeping tears of joy
Nine months after saying I do they had a baby boy
As mother and as father they taught their son how to live
When that boy became a man he knew it's better to give
CHORUS
©2009 Dean Strickland
CHORUS:
No matter how hard he may try
The devil just can't get inside
The hearts of God fearing wise
Good folks who love Jesus
Knowing ol' Satan won't ever stop
Lying that a soul can always be bought
With the Lord as our mighty shield and rock
We're good folks who love Jesus
A young couple they were on the verge of sinning
But instead sought knowledge for a bright beginning
Listening to their parents who had said where to go
They walked holding hands to the church down the road
CHORUS
The couple heard the pastor there that gave this advice
Son ask her for her hand in marriage to start a new life
The moment that there of he knelt and took her hand
He asked her will you marry me and make me a happy mand
CHORUS
The woman then began to cry weeping tears of joy
Nine months after saying I do they had a baby boy
As mother and as father they taught their son how to live
When that boy became a man he knew it's better to give
CHORUS
©2009 Dean Strickland
On November 3, 2009, Dean made a phone call to Frank Castro of The Moonshiners and got himself booked to perform with them at the Bandera Saloon on November 14, 2009 from 1-5pm. On November 3, 2009, Dean found out that his November 15, 2009 gig at Riverstone Cowboy Church in Princeton, Texas was canceled by the venue due to unforeseen events. On November 3, 2009, Dean, while in El Paso, Texas, and at the request of Devorah Terry, founder of Kingdom Country Music, mailed her three copies of his "Hitchhiking Guitarman" CD. On November 2, 2009, Dean's story was published online at
On October 30, 2009, while in El Paso, Texas, Dean was contacted using the chat option on www.facebook.com by Devorah Terry, founder of
and asked if he would like to be on the record label, and a propasal for such record deal began being prepared at the record company's Nashville, Tennessee office. While hitchhiking to El Paso, Texas, Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Kristen Jensen with whom he hitched at ride. Then, Dean hitchhiked to El Paso, Texas for his gig at the Cincinnati Bar on November 5, 2009. On October 26, 2009, Dean hitchhiked to San Marcos, Texas from Bandera, where that night her performed as scheduled at the Gray Horse Saloon with
On October 25, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled with The Moonshiners during a benefit concert held at The Longhorn Saloon in Bandera, Texas. On October 24, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled with The Moonshiners at The Bandera Saloon in Bandera, Texas. Also on October 21, 2009, while hitchhiking to Bandera from Houston, Dean hitchhed a ride with Frank Castro, guitarist for the band The Moonshiners of Bandera, Texas, and by networking while hitchhing that ride, Dean got himself booked to play during a benifit concert for animals October 25, 2009 at
On October 21, 2009, while hiking west on I 10 in Columbus, Texas hitchhiking to Bandera from Houston, Dean hitchhed a ride with Chris Rue, manager of the Gray Horse Saloon in San Marcos, Texas, and by networking while hitchhing that ride, Dean got himself booked to play during a song swap with Matt Begley at the Gray Horse Saloon on October 26, 2009 at 10:30pm. Then, Dean hitchhiked to Bandera, Texas from Houston. While traveling through Houston, Texas on October 20, 2009, Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Ronald L. McCulloch. On October 20, 2009, Dean spoke on the phone with Frank Castro, lead guitarist for The Moon Shiners, and got himself booked to perform with the band on October 24, 2009 from noon till 4pm. at the Bandera Saloon in Bandera, Texas. On October 20, 2009, while in Houston, Texas, Dean received a cancellation phone call from M.J., owner of the Buzzard Roost Saloon in Del Rio, Texas, due to a temporary closing of the bar. On October 19, 2009, while in Houston, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
Forever
With your picture I reflect upon that perfect Autumn day when we first met
Beautiful lady I recognize you're deserving of the utmost respect
When there's something that's upsetting you it upsets me too
I'm glad to hear your friends look out for you
CHORUS:
I think we should run away together
Let's go be happy forever
And all the things that make us sad
Let's put in the past
To the unwanted stress in our lives
I believe we can simply say goodbye
Heaven knows you and I
Don't need not more of that
I'm not trying to tell you what to do
But a couple of things I'll suggest to you
Say with me you're run away to stay
And lets go live our lives happily ever after
Forever
I won't ever claim to know for you what is the very best
I work very hard to please you and let love do the rest
If what I ever do displeases you please let me know
And if you ever want that I would leave you alone then I would sadly go
CHORUS
©2009 Dean Strickland
With your picture I reflect upon that perfect Autumn day when we first met
Beautiful lady I recognize you're deserving of the utmost respect
When there's something that's upsetting you it upsets me too
I'm glad to hear your friends look out for you
CHORUS:
I think we should run away together
Let's go be happy forever
And all the things that make us sad
Let's put in the past
To the unwanted stress in our lives
I believe we can simply say goodbye
Heaven knows you and I
Don't need not more of that
I'm not trying to tell you what to do
But a couple of things I'll suggest to you
Say with me you're run away to stay
And lets go live our lives happily ever after
Forever
I won't ever claim to know for you what is the very best
I work very hard to please you and let love do the rest
If what I ever do displeases you please let me know
And if you ever want that I would leave you alone then I would sadly go
CHORUS
©2009 Dean Strickland
Then, Dean started hitchhiking from Beaumont to Del Rio, Texas. On October 19, 2009, Dean was interviewed by Jim King, and performed his songs "To Hold Your Heart", and "You're Meaning More And More To Me" in Beaumont, Texas, on Jim King's "King Of The Road Show", also Jim King took photographs of Dean for publication in
On October 18, 2009, Dean hitched to Beaumont, Texas from Houston. On October 17, 2009, as scheduled, Dean did an
on which he played his songs "A Cowboy Standing Up For Himself (uncut version),
Listen to "A Cowboy Standing Up For Himself (uncut version)" by clicking play:
"To Hold Your Heart", "You're Meaning More And More To Me", "The Perfect Place", "A Honky Tonk Romance" and "Country Music These Days", on KPFT 90.1 FM in Houston, Texas. On October 15, 2009, Dean found back online
On October 13, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, while in Houston, Texas, and chatting with Jim King, Dean was booked as a guest on October 19, 2009, in Beaumont, Texas on the
Then, Dean hitchhiked to Houston from Bandera, Texas. On October 10, 2009, Dean, though double booked, performed as scheduled at the Bandera Saloon songs with the other band booked The Moonshiners. On October 10, 2009, Dean caught a ride with Big G to Bandera, Texas for his gig at The Bandera Saloon. On October 9, 2009, Dean hitchhiked from Austin to Kerrville, TX, where as scheduled on Big G's Texas Roadshow, he gave an interveiw and performed live, his songs "To Hold Your Heart", "You're Meaning More And More To Me" and "A Cowboy Standing Up For Himself".
Listen to Dean Strickland on Big G's Texas Roadshow by clicking play:
in Santa Monica, California. On October 8, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, and chatting with Gary Furlong, Dean submitted "To Hold Your Heart" in an mp3 format to CHMR 93.5 FM - Campus Community Radio in Saint Johns, NL Canada. On October 7, 2009, using www.myspace.com e-mail, Dean submitted for airplay "To Hold Your Heart" and "You're Meaning More And More To Me" to
On October 7, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, and chatting with Magda De Loose, Dean submitted "To Hold Your Heart" and "You're Meaning More And More To Me" in an mp3 format to
On October 6, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, and chatting with Gary Furlong, Dean submitted "To Hold Your Heart" in an mp3 format to
On October 6, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, and chatting with
Dean submitted "To Hold Your Heart" in an mp3 format, which was acceptable for North Texas Public Broadcasting KERA 90.1 FM. On October 6, 2009, using the chat option on www.myspace.com, Dean got himself booked to play December 17, 2009, at 8:30pm in San Antonio, Texas at
On n October 6, when, Dean went to log onto his Facebook account, he found out that it had been disabled, so he built another Facebook Webpage at:
On October 5, 2009, Dean hand delivered a copy of his song "To Hold Your Heart" for airplay submission at The University of Texas at Austin's
On October 4, 2009, Dean hitched a ride from the Riverbend Retreat Center in Glen Rose, Texas to Austin, Texas with Travis & Ila Flournoy, members of
On October 3, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, while in Glen Rose, Texas, and chatting with Gordon T. Ames, Dean got himself booked to be a guest, October 9, 2009, in Austin, Texas on
On October 3, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at the Riverbend Retreat Center for Camper On Mission in Glen Rose, Texas. On October 2, 2009, after arriving in Glen Rose, Texas, Paul Boggs, Vice President of Texas Camper On Mission put Dean up for a free two night stay at
Music Department at The University of Texas at Austin to submit his son "To Hold Your Heart" for airplay. Then, from San Antonio, Dean hitchhiked to Glen Rose, Texas for his gig at the Texas Campers On Mission fall rally at the Riverbend Retreat Center on October 3, 2009. On September 28, 2009, at Wavemaker Studio in San Antonio, Texas, Dean recorded his song "To Hold Your Heart".
Click play to hear "To Hold Your Heart":
Then, Dean hitchhiked to San Antonio from Johnson City, Texas. On September 25, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at The Friendly Bar in Johnson, City, Texas, and afterward got himself booked to perform there again on December 11, 2009 at 8pm. On September 25, 2009, Dean scheduled a recording session for September 28th at Wavemaker Studio in San Antonio, Texas. On September 23, 2009, while in Johnson City, Texas, Dean wrote his song:
To Hold Your Heart
What are we gonna do
We both say I love you
We're a thousand miles apart
And my music career is at its start
How is it gonna be
Your hazel eyes I desire to see
This Texas highway though has the best of me
I'll make the trip before too long to Tennessee
CHORUS:
If you find someone new before I get there I'll be blue
'Cause I'll miss kissing your sweet lips for the first time
I've never met someone like you
Tennessee lady my love is true
I hope this song I wrote gets through
To hold your heart is what its meant to do
I'm on the road it seems every day
To different folks I sing and play
I won't deny I love what I do
A lie would be to say it compares to you
How is it gonna be
Your hazel eyes I desire to see
This Texas highway though has the best of me
I'll make the trip before too long to Tennessee
CHORUS
What are we gonna do
We both say I love you
We're a thousand miles apart
©2009 Dean Strickland
What are we gonna do
We both say I love you
We're a thousand miles apart
And my music career is at its start
How is it gonna be
Your hazel eyes I desire to see
This Texas highway though has the best of me
I'll make the trip before too long to Tennessee
CHORUS:
If you find someone new before I get there I'll be blue
'Cause I'll miss kissing your sweet lips for the first time
I've never met someone like you
Tennessee lady my love is true
I hope this song I wrote gets through
To hold your heart is what its meant to do
I'm on the road it seems every day
To different folks I sing and play
I won't deny I love what I do
A lie would be to say it compares to you
How is it gonna be
Your hazel eyes I desire to see
This Texas highway though has the best of me
I'll make the trip before too long to Tennessee
CHORUS
What are we gonna do
We both say I love you
We're a thousand miles apart
©2009 Dean Strickland
While in Sean Howell's truck on their way to Johnson City, Dean received a phone call from Gillespie County Deputy Sheriff, Ed Hamilton, who told Dean that, that morning someone at Luckenbach, Texas contacted them, and signed a criminal trespass against Dean. On September 22, 2009, Dean started hitchhiking in the rain in San Antonio to Johnson City, Texas, and after hiking about a half a mile he hitched a ride with Sean Howell of Bulverde, Texas, who took Dean all the way to Johnson City, Texas. On September 21, 2009, at Wavemaker Studio in San Antonio, Texas, Dean recorded his songs "I'm So Thankful" "If You Go There", and a country version of "You're Meaning More And More To Me".
Click play to hear "I'm So Thankful"
Click play to hear "If You Go There"
Listen to Dean's country version of "You're Meaning More And More To Me" by clicking play:
On On September 19, 2009, the option to add comments to the blog about Dean Strickland, after 478 posts, was disabled at
On
September 18, 2009, Dean performed as scheduled at Sam's Burger Joint
in San Antonio, Texas. September 18, 2009, using email to communicate,
Dean schedule a recording session for September 21, 2009 at Wavemaker
Studio in San Antonio, Texas. On September 18, 2009, Dean's story was
published in the San Antonio Express-News
On September 16, 2009, Dean recorded his song "You're Meaning More And More To Me", at Wavemaker Studio in San Antonio, Texas.
Listen to "You're Meaning More And More To Me" by clicking play:
Then, Dean hitchhiked on into San Antonio, Texas completing his sixteen day hitchhiking journey there from Nashville, Tennessee. On September 13, 2009, Dean booked himself a recording session to record his song "You're Meaning More And More To Me" on September 16th in San Antonio, Texas at Wavemaker Studio. Then, Dean continued hitchhiking toward San Antonio, Texas from Fort Worth. On September 11, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, while in Fort Worth, Texas, and chatting with church planter and Pastor, John Myers, Dean got himself booked to perform at the
located at 317 Woody St. in Princeton, Texas on November 15, 2009 at 10am. On September 10, 2009, using the chat option on www.facebook.com, while in Fort Worth, Texas, and chatting with the owner, Rocky Lee Acosta, Dean got himself booked to perform at the Bandera Saloon in Bandera, Texas on October 10, 2009 from noon till 4pm.
While in Fort Worth, Texas on September 8, 2009, Dean Strickland AKA The Hitchhiking Guitarman received a phone call. When he answered his phone, Dean assumed that his caller had him on speaker phone, and it turned out to be a true assumption as it was Claude Drinner, City Attorney for the City
for Amarillo, Texas , and Todd Hatter, Deputy City Attorney for the City of Amarillo, Texas both speaking to Dean using their speaker phone option.
Mr. Hatter and Mr. Drinner first stated during the phone conversation that they were both in agreement that they would not pursue the assault charge against Cliff Schraag, the manager of the Golden Light Cantina in Amarillo, Texas that Dean filed with the Amarillo Police Department on August 10, 2009.
During that phone conversation Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter were in agreement that they both had read in it’s entirety the Amarillo Police Department Investigator, Denise Hill’s investigative report on the charge of assault filed by Dean Strickland against Cliff Schraag, and their opinion’s were that there was not enough corroborating evidence for them to pursue the case in court.
Dean’s first commented to them saying, “You can’t fight city hall, huh?“ Dean argued with Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter that he had a witness, and Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter argued with Dean that the accused, Cliff Schraag also had witnesses that had said Dean used cuss words in the bar, and that the assault never took place. Dean then said to Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter that he never cussed. Then one of them asked Dean if he wanted them to file charges against him, and Dean replied, “Go ahead. You think I won’t stand up?”
Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter spoke in agreement that Dean’s witness, Mr. Stephen Parker Lamb’s witness statement they had both disregarded as corroborating evidence, because he was Dean’s friend. Dean argued to Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter that he believed that Cliff Schraag had been Stephen Lamb’s friend for many more years more than he had been. Dean was unable to distinguish between Mr. Drinner’s and Mr. Hatter’s voices as, after that was said, it was said to Dean by one of the voices speaking to him on the phone, either by Mr. Drinner or Mr. Hatter, that they understood it was said to Mr. Lamb by Mr. Schraag, “You were never my friend.“ which Dean said to them he remember that being said. It happened on August 10, 2009, after Steve Lamb grabbed Cliff Schraag to get him off the top of Dean as they were both lying in the puddle of water in the street.
Dean, Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter were all in agreement that the witnesses in the bar that had made statements saying that the assault never took place were more than likely friends of the accused, Cliff Schraag. At a point in the phone conversation, Dean argued, during the conversation that it sounded as though Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter were taking sides in the case, and Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter said they were not taking sides.
During the phone conversation, Dean made a comment to Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter about the Houston Press blog published online regarding this story, and Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter were both in agreement that they would not use the blog in Court. Dean thought that some of Mr. Drinner’s and Mr. Hatter’s comments were noted from the online Houston Press blog postings - particularly the comment about how they knew that Mr. Schraag said to Mr. Lamb, “You were never my friend“ .
During their phone conversation, Dean told Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter that he had another witness that watched outside of the Golden Light Cantina as he got beat on by Cliff Schraag in the street, and that the witnesses name is Shannon Bates of Amarillo, Texas, whom Dean went in the Golden Light Café to have lunch with that day, and that Shannon Bates was more of an acquaintance of his since he had not seen him in about three years as opposed to Steve Lamb being more of a friend, since he had stayed at his house on several occasions after hitchhiking to Amarillo when scheduled to perform there.
During their phone conversation, Dean told Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter that due to unresolved legal issues with the City of Amarillo, Texas that he did not ask Shannon Bates to write a witness statement. And that Mr. Bates had told Dean that after Mr. Schragg assaulted him on August 10, 2009, Mr. Schraag told Mr. Bates that his reason for beating on Dean in the in the street was to uphold his reputation. After that Dean recalled being told by Mr. Bates on more than one occasion how that Mr. Bates told Mr. Schraag, during that brief conversation which took place in the parking lot of the Golden Light Cantina as Shannon was picking up Steve Lamb’s truck, since Steve had just been trespassed by the Golden Light Cantina after Mr. Schraag assaulted Dean in the street then afterward denied it when questioned about it to the Amarillo Police, also after the police told Steve he could not pick up his own truck, “You don’t have a reputation.”
Dean argued with Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter that it doesn’t appear as though any number of witnesses statements that he has from people that were standing outside of the Golden Light Cantina, and say he was assaulted by Cliff Schraag in the street will be regarded as corroborating evidence by the City of Amarillo, but yet Claude Drinner, the City Attorney for Amarillo, Texas, and Todd. Hatter, the Deputy City Attorney for Amarillo, Texas regard the manager of the Golden Light Cantina, Cliff Schraag’s, as Mr. Drinner and Mr. Hatter both agreed, more than likely friends, and witnesses that were inside the bar, and say the assault never happened statement‘s. Dean was never told if the statements by Cliff Schraag’s more than likely friend and witnesses are in writing.
Dean‘s cell phone ran out of minutes which caused him to have to stop arguing his case, and hang up.
While in Fort Worth, Texas on September 6, 2009, and Vicksburg, Mississippi on September 5, 2009, Dean wrote his song:
You're Meaning More And More To Me
I'd like to tell you a story
About how soon after I met the woman of my dreams
I opened up to her and said you excite me Sherri
And I think I know what that means
But all I want to say for now is you excite me
Then she laughed and replied what do you mean Dean
I quickly said I mean you're meaning more and more to me
Then began imagining that she was thinking elaborate please
So I put it this way
Though being with you seems too good to be true
If money enough I had to satisfy me and you
I'd ask if I could and stay a while
For your lady like figure makes my joyous heart quiver
As I happily gaze upon your photogenic picture
That so beautifully captured your gorgeous smile
I'd take the journey and enjoy the travel
Hoping our lives with prayer would less likely unravel
And would dread ever leaving you once we'd embrace in our meeting
Now with a risk I take of sounding too forward
I say to you in my heart and thoughts you adored
But I'm not afraid and these things to you honestly Sherri I say
I mean you're meaning more and more to me with each passing day
Again I mean you're meaning more and more to me with each passing day
About how soon after I met the woman of my dreams
I opened up to her and said you excite me Sherri
And I think I know what that means
But all I want to say for now is you excite me
Then she laughed and replied what do you mean Dean
I quickly said I mean you're meaning more and more to me
Then began imagining that she was thinking elaborate please
So I put it this way
Though being with you seems too good to be true
If money enough I had to satisfy me and you
I'd ask if I could and stay a while
For your lady like figure makes my joyous heart quiver
As I happily gaze upon your photogenic picture
That so beautifully captured your gorgeous smile
I'd take the journey and enjoy the travel
Hoping our lives with prayer would less likely unravel
And would dread ever leaving you once we'd embrace in our meeting
Now with a risk I take of sounding too forward
I say to you in my heart and thoughts you adored
But I'm not afraid and these things to you honestly Sherri I say
I mean you're meaning more and more to me with each passing day
Again I mean you're meaning more and more to me with each passing day
©2009 Dean Strickland
While hitchhiking to San Antonio, Texas from Nashville, Tennessee, Dean visited his family members in Jonesboro, Arkansas, Vicksburg, Mississippi, and Fort Worth, Texas. While hitchhiking from Nashville, Tennessee to San Antonio, Texas, Dean sold a Hitchhiking Guitarman CD to Ben and Sarah Brown with whom he hitched a ride. Then, Dean began hitchhiking from Nashville, Tennessee to San Antonio, Texas for his show at Sam's Burger Joint.