Billy Dean
Encyclopedia
William Harold "Billy" Dean, Jr. (born April 2, 1962, in Quincy, Florida
) is an American country music
singer and songwriter. Billy Dean first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search
. Active as a recording artist since 1990, he has recorded a total of eight studio albums (of which the first three have been certified gold by the RIAA) and a greatest hits package which is also certified gold. His studio albums have accounted for more than twenty hit singles on the Billboard
country charts, including eleven Top Ten hits. Although he never reached the top of the Billboard country charts on his own, he reached Number One in 2000 as one of two guest vocalists on Kenny Rogers
' "Buy Me a Rose
", and had two Number Ones on the RPM
country charts in Canada.
, on April 2, 1962. His father, Billy Dean (brother of the legendary country star Jimmy Dean
), maintained a band called The Country Rock in his spare time, and by the time he was eight, Dean began playing in his father's band. Throughout high school, at Robert F. Munroe Day School, he continued to play music, both in his father's band and with other local musicians. He soon began touring in local clubs, and sang Frank Sinatra
's "My Way
" at his high school graduation.
Dean was also a basketball
player in high school, and was offered a scholarship to East Central Community College
in Decatur, Mississippi
. He attended college for one year before dropping out in order to pursue his desired career in music. By the time he was 20, Dean made the finals on the Wrangler
Country Star Search, followed by a Male Vocalist win on the television competition Star Search
six years later. He also worked as a demo singer and took acting lessons, appearing in television commercials for McDonald's
, Chevrolet
and Valvoline. By the end of the decade, he had signed to a publishing contract with EMI
Music, as well as a recording contract with SBK Records
, a subsidiary of Liberty Records
.
", the first release from his debut album Young Man
. This song and its follow-up, "Somewhere in My Broken Heart
" (previously recorded by Randy Travis
on his 1989 album No Holdin' Back
) were both #3 hits on the Billboard
country charts. The latter was also a minor hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
charts. Although the album did not produce any other singles, Young Man was certified gold by the RIAA.
Dean's self-titled second album
followed in 1991, and soon earned a gold certification as well. Four singles were released from it: "You Don't Count the Cost
", "Only the Wind
" and "Billy the Kid
" each peaked at #4 on the country charts, while "If There Hadn't Been You
" was a #3 on Billboard, and a #1 on both the former Radio & Records
(now Mediabase
) country charts in the U.S. and the RPM
Country Tracks charts in Canada. Dean also toured with The Judds
on their farewell tour in 1991, as well on tours with Wynonna Judd
and Clint Black
. He also wrote and recorded the theme song to the ABC
animated television series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
, and hosted a Top 21 countdown on VH1
. By 1992, he had also earned the Top New Male Vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music
.
Fire in the Dark
was the title of Dean's third album. Issued in 1993, it was also his third straight gold-certified album, earning that certification from both the RIAA and CRIA
. Lead-off single "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark
" peaked at #6 in the United States and became his second #1 in Canada. Following it were "I Wanna Take Care of You", "I'm Not Built That Way", and a cover of Dave Mason
's 1977 pop hit "We Just Disagree
". Also in 1993, Dean had an opening slot on Alan Jackson
's tour.
Following his first three studio albums was a greatest hits
album in 1994. This album reprised his first nine singles, as well as a new song, "Once in a While", which Dean wrote and recorded for the soundtrack
to the 1994 film 8 Seconds
. This song peaked at #53 based on unsolicited airplay.
Men'll Be Boys
, his final release for SBK/Liberty, came later in 1994. This album was not as successful in sales or chart performance, producing the #24 "Cowboy Band" and #60 title track. After this album, Dean placed his career on hiatus to raise his family, which at that point consisted of his wife, Cathy, and their son, William Eli Dean.
, on Capitol Records
Nashville. This album returned him to the Top Ten with its title track
and "That Girl's Been Spyin' on Me
", which reached #5 and #4, respectively. The final single, "I Wouldn't Be a Man
", fell short of Top 40. He also worked with actress and singer Crystal Bernard
on her 1996 debut album Girl Next Door, in addition to co-writing its debut single "Have We Forgotten What Love Is." Later that year, Dean released a non-charting single, "In the Name of Love", which never appeared on an album. In 1998, Victoria Shaw
and several other artists, including Dean, collaborated on the charity single "One Heart at a Time".
Real Man
, his sixth album, was issued in mid-1998. This album produced only one Top 40 hit in its title track, followed by "Innocent Bystander" which reached #68. After this album, Dean issued a Love Songs compilation in 2000 before exiting Capitol's roster. He also took up acting once more, appearing in the minor TV specials A Face to Kill For and Blue Valley Songbird. That same year, he and Alison Krauss
made guest appearances on Kenny Rogers
' single "Buy Me a Rose
", which reached the top of the Billboard country charts in May of that year. This song was also a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100
, and Rogers' first Number One in thirteen years.
A year later, Dean joined Suzy Bogguss
and twelve-year-old singer Jillian Arciero (credited as Jillian) on "Please Keep Mom and Dad in Love," which was issued on Rogers's Dreamcatcher Records, and never included on an album. Although he continued touring, he did not chart again until 2003 with "I'm in Love With You," released on the independent View 2 label. His next release for View 2 was a cover of John Denver
's Number One country and pop hit "Thank God I'm a Country Boy
". Asylum-Curb Records took over promotion of this single, and by mid-2004, Dean's rendition reached #27 on the country charts. Following it was the single "Let Them Be Little
", co-written by Richie McDonald
(then the lead vocalist of Lonestar
) and recorded by the band on its 2004 album Let's Be Us Again
. Dean's seventh studio album, also titled Let Them Be Little
, was finally issued in late 2004 on Asylum-Curb. Although "Let Them Be Little" reached a peak of #8 on the country charts in early 2005, the album's other singles all failed to reach Top 40. A Christmas music
album, The Christ (A Song for Joseph), followed in late 2005. Included on the album was a duet with his daughter Hannah.
In addition to recording and touring, Dean is branching into using music for corporate marketing. One of his ventures, Song Sessions, combines songwriting and corporate team building exercises.
Quincy, Florida
Quincy is a city in Gadsden County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,982 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,975...
) is an American country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
singer and songwriter. Billy Dean first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
. Active as a recording artist since 1990, he has recorded a total of eight studio albums (of which the first three have been certified gold by the RIAA) and a greatest hits package which is also certified gold. His studio albums have accounted for more than twenty hit singles on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts, including eleven Top Ten hits. Although he never reached the top of the Billboard country charts on his own, he reached Number One in 2000 as one of two guest vocalists on Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
' "Buy Me a Rose
Buy Me a Rose
"Buy Me a Rose" is the title of a song written by Jim Funk and Erik Hickenlooper, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in October 1999 from his album She Rides Wild Horses...
", and had two Number Ones on the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
country charts in Canada.
Biography
William Harold Dean, was born in Quincy, FloridaQuincy, Florida
Quincy is a city in Gadsden County, Florida, United States. The population was 6,982 at the 2000 census. As of 2004, the population recorded by the U.S. Census Bureau is 6,975...
, on April 2, 1962. His father, Billy Dean (brother of the legendary country star Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Dean
Jimmy Ray Dean was an American country music singer, television host, actor and businessman. Although he may be best known today as the creator of the Jimmy Dean sausage brand, he became a national television personality starting in 1957, rising to fame for his 1961 country crossover hit "Big Bad...
), maintained a band called The Country Rock in his spare time, and by the time he was eight, Dean began playing in his father's band. Throughout high school, at Robert F. Munroe Day School, he continued to play music, both in his father's band and with other local musicians. He soon began touring in local clubs, and sang Frank Sinatra
Frank Sinatra
Francis Albert "Frank" Sinatra was an American singer and actor.Beginning his musical career in the swing era with Harry James and Tommy Dorsey, Sinatra became an unprecedentedly successful solo artist in the early to mid-1940s, after being signed to Columbia Records in 1943. Being the idol of the...
's "My Way
My Way (song)
"My Way" is a song popularized by Frank Sinatra. Its lyrics were written by Paul Anka and set to music based on the French song "Comme d'habitude" composed in 1967 by Claude François and Jacques Revaux, with lyrics by Claude François and Gilles Thibault. Anka's English lyrics are unrelated to the...
" at his high school graduation.
Dean was also a basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
player in high school, and was offered a scholarship to East Central Community College
East Central Community College
East Central Community College is a junior college located in Decatur, Mississippi. ECCC serves a five-county district: Leake, Neshoba, Newton, Scott and Winston counties. It opened in September 1928-Athletics:...
in Decatur, Mississippi
Decatur, Mississippi
Decatur is a town in Newton County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 1,426 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Newton County...
. He attended college for one year before dropping out in order to pursue his desired career in music. By the time he was 20, Dean made the finals on the Wrangler
Wrangler Jeans
Wrangler is a manufacturer of jeans and other clothing items. The brand is owned by the VF Corporation, who also own Lee, JanSport and The North Face, among others. Its headquarters is in downtown Greensboro, North Carolina, with production plants in a variety of locations throughout the world...
Country Star Search, followed by a Male Vocalist win on the television competition Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
six years later. He also worked as a demo singer and took acting lessons, appearing in television commercials for McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
and Valvoline. By the end of the decade, he had signed to a publishing contract with EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
Music, as well as a recording contract with SBK Records
SBK Records
SBK Records was a record label of the EMI Group that was founded in 1988.Stephen Swid, Martin Bandier, and Charles Koppelman formed the production company SBK in 1989 after they purchased the music publishing division of CBS Records in 1986....
, a subsidiary of Liberty Records
Liberty Records
Liberty Records was a United States-based record label. It was started by chairman Simon Waronker in 1955 with Al Bennett as president and Theodore Keep as chief engineer. It was reactivated in 2001 in the United Kingdom and had two previous revivals.-1950s:...
.
1990-1995
Dean made his chart debut in late 1990 with the single "Only Here for a Little WhileOnly Here for a Little While
"Only Here for a Little While" is a song written by Wayland Holyfield and Richard Leigh. It was recorded by Billy Dean on his debut album Young Man, from which it was released in December 1990 as the first single. The song spent 22 weeks on the Hot Country Songs charts, peaking at number three in...
", the first release from his debut album Young Man
Young Man (Billy Dean album)
Young Man is the debut album of American country music artist Billy Dean. Released on Capitol Records in 1991, the album produced two hit singles: "Only Here for a Little While" and "Somewhere in My Broken Heart"...
. This song and its follow-up, "Somewhere in My Broken Heart
Somewhere in My Broken Heart
"Somewhere in My Broken Heart" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. Released in 1991, it was the second single from the album Young Man. The song reached #3 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart...
" (previously recorded by Randy Travis
Randy Travis
Randy Travis is an American country music singer and actor. Since 1985, he has recorded 20 studio albums and charted more than 30 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts, 22 of which were number one hits...
on his 1989 album No Holdin' Back
No Holdin' Back
No Holdin' Back is the title of American country music singer Randy Travis's fifth album. It was released on September 26, 1989, by Warner Bros. Records Nashville. Three singles were released from it, all of which charted on the Hot Country Songs charts: the Number One hits "It's Just a Matter of...
) were both #3 hits on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts. The latter was also a minor hit on the Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
Hot Adult Contemporary Tracks
The Adult Contemporary chart is a weekly chart published in Billboard magazine that lists the most popular songs on adult contemporary and "lite-pop" radio stations in the United States...
charts. Although the album did not produce any other singles, Young Man was certified gold by the RIAA.
Dean's self-titled second album
Billy Dean (album)
Billy Dean is the title of the second studio album recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. It was released in 1991 on Capitol Records and, like his debut album Young Man, it was certified gold by the RIAA. "You Don't Count the Cost", "Only the Wind", "Billy the Kid" and "If There...
followed in 1991, and soon earned a gold certification as well. Four singles were released from it: "You Don't Count the Cost
You Don't Count the Cost
"You Don't Count the Cost" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro and Chris Waters, and recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. Released in September 1991, it was the first single from the album Billy Dean. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks...
", "Only the Wind
Only the Wind (song)
"Only the Wind" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro and Chuck Jones, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Dean. It was released in December 1991 as the second single from his second studio album, 1992's Billy Dean. The song spent twenty weeks on the Hot Country Songs charts...
" and "Billy the Kid
Billy the Kid (Billy Dean song)
"Billy the Kid" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music singer Billy Dean. It was released in May 1992 as the third single from his second studio album, 1992's Billy Dean. The song spent twenty weeks on the Hot Country Songs charts in 1992, peaking at number...
" each peaked at #4 on the country charts, while "If There Hadn't Been You
If There Hadn't Been You
"If There Hadn't Been You" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro and Ron Hellard, and recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. It was released in August 1992 as the fourth and final single from Dean's album Billy Dean...
" was a #3 on Billboard, and a #1 on both the former Radio & Records
Radio & Records
Radio & Records was a trade publication providing news and airplay information for the radio and music industries. It originally started out as an independent trade from 1973 to 2006 until VNU Media took over in 2006, up until its final issue in 2009.-History:The company was founded in 1973 and...
(now Mediabase
Mediabase
Mediabase is a music industry service that monitors radio station airplay in 180 US and Canadian markets. Mediabase publishes music charts and data based on the most played songs on terrestrial and satellite radio, and provides in-depth analytical tools for radio and record industry professionals...
) country charts in the U.S. and the RPM
RPM (magazine)
RPM was a Canadian music industry publication that featured song and album charts for Canada. The publication was founded by Walt Grealis in February 1964, supported through its existence by record label owner Stan Klees. RPM ceased publication in November 2000.RPM stood for "Records, Promotion,...
Country Tracks charts in Canada. Dean also toured with The Judds
The Judds
The Judds were an American country music duo composed of Naomi Judd and her daughter, Wynonna Judd. Signed to RCA Records in 1983, the duo released six studio albums between then and 1991. One of the most successful acts in country music history, The Judds won five Grammy Awards for Best Country...
on their farewell tour in 1991, as well on tours with Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Judd
Wynonna Ellen Judd is an American country music singer. Her solo albums and singles are all credited to the singular name Wynonna. Wynonna first rose to fame in the 1980s alongside her mother, Naomi, in the country music duo The Judds...
and Clint Black
Clint Black
Clint Patrick Black is an American country music singer-songwriter, record producer, multi-instrumentalist and occasional actor. Signed to RCA Records in 1989, Black made his debut with his Killin' Time album, which produced four straight Number One singles on the U.S. Billboard Hot Country...
. He also wrote and recorded the theme song to the ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
animated television series Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa
Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa is an American animated television series created by comic book artist Ryan Brown, known for his work on Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. The show was produced by King World and ABC's Greengrass Productions and animated by Gunther-Wahl Productions for its first season...
, and hosted a Top 21 countdown on VH1
VH1
VH1 or Vh1 is an American cable television network based in New York City. Launched on January 1, 1985 in the old space of Turner Broadcasting's short-lived Cable Music Channel, the original purpose of the channel was to build on the success of MTV by playing music videos, but targeting a slightly...
. By 1992, he had also earned the Top New Male Vocalist award from the Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music was founded in 1964 in Los Angeles, California as the Country & Western Music Academy. Whereas the Country Music Association, founded in 1958, was based in Nashville, the Academy sought to promote country music in the western states. Among those involved in the...
.
Fire in the Dark
Fire in the Dark
Fire in the Dark is the title of the third studio album recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. It was released in 1993 on SBK/Liberty Records and like his previous two albums, it was certified gold by the RIAA. Unlike his first two albums, which were produced by Tom Shapiro, this one...
was the title of Dean's third album. Issued in 1993, it was also his third straight gold-certified album, earning that certification from both the RIAA and CRIA
Cria
A cria is the name for a baby camelid such as a llama, alpaca, vicuña, or guanaco. It comes from the Spanish word cría, meaning "baby". Its false cognate in English, crya , was coined by British sailors who explored Chile in the 18th century and were quick to describe the camelids onomatopoeically...
. Lead-off single "Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark
Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark
"Tryin' to Hide a Fire in the Dark" is the title of a song co-written and recorded by American country music artist Billy Dean. It was released in November 1992 as the first single from Dean's album Fire in the Dark. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart in March...
" peaked at #6 in the United States and became his second #1 in Canada. Following it were "I Wanna Take Care of You", "I'm Not Built That Way", and a cover of Dave Mason
Dave Mason
David Thomas "Dave" Mason is an English singer, songwriter, and guitarist from Worcester, who first found fame with the rock band Traffic...
's 1977 pop hit "We Just Disagree
We Just Disagree
"We Just Disagree" is a song by English singer-guitarist Dave Mason, written by Jim Krueger.-Dave Mason version:Released in August 1977 as the second single from the album Let It Flow, the ballad about no-fault divorce featured Krueger's 12-string guitar prominently; the author also sang the...
". Also in 1993, Dean had an opening slot on Alan Jackson
Alan Jackson
Alan Eugene Jackson is an American country music singer, known for blending traditional honky tonk and mainstream country sounds and penning many of his own hits. He has recorded 13 studio albums, 3 Greatest Hits albums, 2 Holiday albums, 1 Gospel album and several compilations, all on the Arista...
's tour.
Following his first three studio albums was a greatest hits
Greatest Hits (Billy Dean album)
Greatest Hits is the first greatest hits album released by American country music artist Billy Dean. It reprises his first nine singles, presented in chronological order from 1991's "Only Here for a Little While" to 1993's "I'm Not Built That Way", as well as the track "Once in a While", which was...
album in 1994. This album reprised his first nine singles, as well as a new song, "Once in a While", which Dean wrote and recorded for the soundtrack
8 Seconds (soundtrack)
-Chart performance:...
to the 1994 film 8 Seconds
8 Seconds
8 Seconds is a 1994 biographical film about American rodeo legend and world bull riding champion Lane Frost. It details his life from his youth learning how to ride bulls, until his death in 1989. It was directed by John G...
. This song peaked at #53 based on unsolicited airplay.
Men'll Be Boys
Men'll Be Boys
Men'll Be Boys is the title of the fourth studio album from American country music artist Billy Dean. It was released in 1994 on Liberty Records as his final album for the label before Liberty's country music division was merged with Capitol Records Nashville...
, his final release for SBK/Liberty, came later in 1994. This album was not as successful in sales or chart performance, producing the #24 "Cowboy Band" and #60 title track. After this album, Dean placed his career on hiatus to raise his family, which at that point consisted of his wife, Cathy, and their son, William Eli Dean.
1996-present
Dean returned to the recording studio in 1996 for his fifth album, It's What I DoIt's What I Do
It's What I Do is the title of the fifth studio album released by American country music artist Billy Dean. It was his first album since Men'll Be Boys two years previous. This was also his first release for Capitol Records Nashville, as the Nashville division of Liberty Records had been merged...
, on Capitol Records
Capitol Records
Capitol Records is a major United States based record label, formerly located in Los Angeles, but operating in New York City as part of Capitol Music Group. Its former headquarters building, the Capitol Tower, is a major landmark near the corner of Hollywood and Vine...
Nashville. This album returned him to the Top Ten with its title track
It's What I Do (song)
"It's What I Do" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro and Chuck Jones, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Dean. It was released in January 1996 as the first single from his fifth studio album, 1996's It's What I Do...
and "That Girl's Been Spyin' on Me
That Girl's Been Spyin' on Me
"That Girl's Been Spyin' on Me" is the title of a song written by Tom Shapiro and Max T. Barnes, and recorded by American country music singer Billy Dean. It was released in June 1996 as the first single from his fifth studio album, 1996's It's What I Do...
", which reached #5 and #4, respectively. The final single, "I Wouldn't Be a Man
I Wouldn't Be a Man
"I Wouldn't Be a Man" is the title of a song written by Mike Reid and Rory Michael Bourke. Originally recorded by Don Williams, it has also been released as a single by Billy Dean, and covered by Josh Turner...
", fell short of Top 40. He also worked with actress and singer Crystal Bernard
Crystal Bernard
Crystal Lynn Bernard is an American actress and singer, most widely known for her seven-year-long role on the situation comedy Wings. While her main work has been on television, she has appeared in some films, and also attempted to pursue a music career as a songwriter/performer.-Early...
on her 1996 debut album Girl Next Door, in addition to co-writing its debut single "Have We Forgotten What Love Is." Later that year, Dean released a non-charting single, "In the Name of Love", which never appeared on an album. In 1998, Victoria Shaw
Victoria Shaw (singer)
Victoria Lynn Shaw is an American country music artist. She has recorded four studio albums, and has charted five singles on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts...
and several other artists, including Dean, collaborated on the charity single "One Heart at a Time".
Real Man
Real Man
Real Man is the sixth studio album by American country music singer Billy Dean. It was released August 25, 1998 via Capitol Records Nashville. The album includes two singles: the title track and "Innocent Bystander", which respectively reached #33 and #68 on the U.S. Billboard country singles charts...
, his sixth album, was issued in mid-1998. This album produced only one Top 40 hit in its title track, followed by "Innocent Bystander" which reached #68. After this album, Dean issued a Love Songs compilation in 2000 before exiting Capitol's roster. He also took up acting once more, appearing in the minor TV specials A Face to Kill For and Blue Valley Songbird. That same year, he and Alison Krauss
Alison Krauss
Alison Maria Krauss is an American bluegrass-country singer, songwriter and fiddler. She entered the music industry at an early age, winning local contests by the age of ten and recording for the first time at fourteen. She signed with Rounder Records in 1985 and released her first solo album in...
made guest appearances on Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
' single "Buy Me a Rose
Buy Me a Rose
"Buy Me a Rose" is the title of a song written by Jim Funk and Erik Hickenlooper, and recorded by American country music artist Kenny Rogers. It was released in October 1999 from his album She Rides Wild Horses...
", which reached the top of the Billboard country charts in May of that year. This song was also a Top 40 hit on the Billboard Hot 100
Billboard Hot 100
The Billboard Hot 100 is the United States music industry standard singles popularity chart issued weekly by Billboard magazine. Chart rankings are based on radio play and sales; the tracking-week for sales begins on Monday and ends on Sunday, while the radio play tracking-week runs from Wednesday...
, and Rogers' first Number One in thirteen years.
A year later, Dean joined Suzy Bogguss
Suzy Bogguss
Susan Kay "Suzy" Bogguss is an American country music singer. In the 1980s and 90s she released one platinum and three gold albums and charted six top ten singles, winning the Academy of Country Music's award for Top New Female Vocalist and the Country Music Association's Horizon Award.After...
and twelve-year-old singer Jillian Arciero (credited as Jillian) on "Please Keep Mom and Dad in Love," which was issued on Rogers's Dreamcatcher Records, and never included on an album. Although he continued touring, he did not chart again until 2003 with "I'm in Love With You," released on the independent View 2 label. His next release for View 2 was a cover of John Denver
John Denver
Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr. , known professionally as John Denver, was an American singer/songwriter, activist, and humanitarian. After growing up in numerous locations with his military family, Denver began his music career in folk music groups in the late 1960s. His greatest commercial success...
's Number One country and pop hit "Thank God I'm a Country Boy
Thank God I'm a Country Boy
"Thank God I'm a Country Boy", also known as "Country Boy" is a song written by John Martin Sommers and recorded by American singer/songwriter John Denver.The song was originally included on Denver's 1974 album Back Home Again....
". Asylum-Curb Records took over promotion of this single, and by mid-2004, Dean's rendition reached #27 on the country charts. Following it was the single "Let Them Be Little
Let Them Be Little (song)
"Let Them Be Little" is the title of a song co-written by American country music artist Billy Dean with Richie McDonald, the lead singer of Lonestar at the time. It was released in August 2004 as the third single from Dean's album, Let Them Be Little. The song reached #8 on the Billboard Hot...
", co-written by Richie McDonald
Richie McDonald
Richard Vance "Richie" McDonald is an American country music artist. From 1992 until his departure in 2007, he was the lead singer of the group Lonestar, which recorded seven studio albums on BNA Records during his tenure as lead vocalist. McDonald co-wrote several of the band's singles, and sang...
(then the lead vocalist of Lonestar
Lonestar
Lonestar is an American country music group consisting of Richie McDonald , Michael Britt , Keech Rainwater , Dean Sams , and Michael Hill . McDonald left the band in November 2007 for a solo career before returning in 2011...
) and recorded by the band on its 2004 album Let's Be Us Again
Let's Be Us Again
Let's Be Us Again is the sixth studio album released by the American country music group Lonestar. It was released in 2004 on BNA Records, and has been certified gold by the RIAA in the United States. The album produced three singles for the group on the Billboard Hot Country Songs charts: the...
. Dean's seventh studio album, also titled Let Them Be Little
Let Them Be Little
Let Them Be Little is the seventh studio album by American country music singer Billy Dean. His first album since Real Man seven years previous, it is also his first release on the Asylum-Curb label...
, was finally issued in late 2004 on Asylum-Curb. Although "Let Them Be Little" reached a peak of #8 on the country charts in early 2005, the album's other singles all failed to reach Top 40. A Christmas music
Christmas music
Christmas music comprises a variety of genres of music normally performed or heard around the Christmas season, which tends to begin in the months leading up the actual holiday and end in the weeks shortly thereafter.-Early:...
album, The Christ (A Song for Joseph), followed in late 2005. Included on the album was a duet with his daughter Hannah.
In addition to recording and touring, Dean is branching into using music for corporate marketing. One of his ventures, Song Sessions, combines songwriting and corporate team building exercises.