Gene Watson’s Peers within the country music industry believe in the sheer talent of this unassuming man from east Texas, so much so that Gene is regarded by many of them as ‘the singer’s singer’ – and rightly so!
All of Gene Watson’s Peers, who were contacted during 2010, were most gracious with their time and words.
It is here, within this special part of The Gene Watson Fan Site, that you have an opportunity to read a quote from Dean Dillon, which he submitted to this site on Wednesday 11 August 2010.
Sean Brady would like to take this opportunity to say ‘thank you’ to Dean Dillon who made a special contribution to this unique part of this online ‘celebration of a Lone Star Hero’.
Dean Dillon
This quote was submitted on Wednesday 11 August 2010.
‘I still remember the first time I heard ‘Farewell Party‘, which was written by Lawton Williams (Monday 24 July 1922 – Thursday 26 July 2007).
As good as I thought I could sing, when I heard Gene Watson sing this song, I thought to myself, just shut up and write songs’
Thank you, Dean Dillon, for your support of Gene Watson.
About Dean Dillon…
Dean Dillon was born on Saturday 26 March 1955 in Lake City, Tennessee and started playing guitar at the age of seven. When he was fifteen years old, Dean Dillon appeared in a local Knoxville variety show called ‘Jim Clayton Star Time’ as a songwriter and performer; by the end of high school, he had his mind set on Nashville.
Hitch-hiking to Nashville in 1973, it wasn’t long before Dean Dillon caught the watchful eye of Shelby Singleton (Wednesday 16 December 1931 – Wednesday 7 October 2009) of Sun Records. After a short recording stint which produced one record, Dean Dillon was once again walking the streets of a town he barely knew.
As luck would have it, days of pounding pavement and beating on doors paid off when songwriter, Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) took an interest in him.
In the years to come, it was Dean Dillon / Frank Dycus collaborations which would help launch the country music career of a man who would become a legend within country music circles – George Strait.
Dean Dillon also worked with ex-Porter Wagoner (Friday 12 August 1927 – Sunday 28 October 2007) fiddle player Mac McGahey’s combo at Opryland Theme Park.
In 1976, Dean Dillon landed the role of Hank Williams in The Country Music Show at Opryland. While there, a friend introduced him to hit songwriter John Schweers, who in turn introduced him to heavyweight Nashville producer and publisher, Tom Collins.
Three weeks later, Barbara Mandrell recorded three of Dean Dillon’s songs, ‘She’s Loved Me Out of You’ (co-written with Gary Harrison), ‘How Long Does It Take’ and ‘Bedroom Reunion’ (co-written with Johnny McCollum), all of which were included on ‘Lovers, Friends & Strangers’ (Dot Records, 1977).
Johnny Rodriguez recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Calls It Love’ (co-written with John Schweers) and included the track on ‘Practise Makes Perfect’ (Mercury Records, 1977).
Jim Ed Brown (Sunday 1 April 1934 – Thursday 11 June 2015) and Helen Cornelius recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Lying Here In Love With You’ (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on ‘You Don’t Bring Me Flowers’ (RCA Records, 1979); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1979.
Between 1979 and 1983, as a recording artist in his own right, Dean Dillon charted eight times, and broke the Billboard country music Top 30 singles chart with ‘I’m Into The Bottle (To Get You Out of My Mind)’ (No.30, 1979).
Dean Dillon singles, which charted on the Billboard country music singles chart, in the early 1980s, included ‘What Good Is A Heart’ (No.28, 1980), ‘Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her’ (written by Dean Dillon) (No.25, 1980), ‘They’ll Never Take Me Alive’ (No.57, 1981) and ‘Jesus, Let Me Slide’ (No.77, 1981).
Dean Dillon also composed hit singles for a number of other country music artists, including the 1983 George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) hit single, ‘Tennessee Whiskey’. These successes established Dean Dillon as a performer and songwriter; it wasn’t long until Dean Dillon was paired by RCA record head, Jerry Bradley, with Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003), the ‘King of the honky tonkers’.
Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003) & Dean Dillon’s voices fed off of one another and, while their two bleary, good-timing albums were successful, especially ‘Brotherly Love’ (RCA Victor Records, 1982), the partnership had little use for the straight and narrow.
Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003) & Dean Dillon’s ‘Brotherly Love’ (RCA Victor Records, 1982), which reached No.23 on the Billboard Top Country Albums Chart in 1982, included three tracks, which were hit singles on the Billboard country music singles chart:
‘Brotherly Love’ (No.41, 1982)
‘Play This Old Working Day Away’ (No.74, 1982)
‘You To Come Home To’ (No.65, 1982)
Dean Dillon then took a five-year hiatus from recording, cleaned up his personal life and concentrated on song-writing.
Dean Dillon wrote or co-wrote a number of hits during this period and had considerable success with George Strait, who took five of his songs to the Billboard country music singles chart between 1981 and 1988.
The exposure landed Dean Dillon a new contract with Capitol Records, who released two Ricky Scruggs-produced albums, ‘I’ve Learned To Live’ (Capitol Records, 1989), which included the Tanya Tucker duet, ‘Don’t You Even Think About Leaving’, and ‘Slick Nickel’ (Capitol Records, 1990).
Dean Dillon next signed with Atlantic Records, where he saw the release of his most successful album; ‘Out of Your Ever Lovin’ Mind’ (Atlantic Records, 1991) referenced the hard country of Dean Dillon’s heroes, but it also flirted with pop; the album was lauded as a throwback, an answer to Nashville’s penchant for vapidity.
While he stopped performing, Dean Dillon’s song-writing career thrived for the rest of the 1990s, as he continued to work with George Strait and newer faces such as Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) and Lee Ann Womack.
In 2002, Dean Dillon was inducted into The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, along with Bob Dylan and Shel Silverstein (Thursday 25 September 1930 – Monday 10 May 1999).
Early in 2003, Dean Dillon signed a song-writing contract with Sony / ATV Tree, which came after his fifteen-year relationship with Acuff Rose, a smaller publishing company Sony acquired in July 2002.
To date, Dean Dillon has had over fifty songs recorded by George Strait alone.
The number of songs which have been written by Dean Dillon is quite extraordinary; Dean Dillon is a truly gifted songwriter within the country music genre.
Barbara Mandrell recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She’s Loved Me Out of You’ (co-written with Gary Harrison) and included the track on ‘Lovers, Friends & Strangers’ (Dot Records / ABC Records, 1977).
Barbara Mandrell recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘How Long Does It Take’ and and included the track on ‘Lovers, Friends & Strangers’ (Dot Records / ABC Records, 1977).
Barbara Mandrell recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Bedroom Reunion’ (co-written with Johnny McCollum) and included the track on ‘Lovers, Friends & Strangers’ (Dot Records / ABC Records, 1977).
Con Hunley recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘What’s New With You’, which was co-written with Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022), and included the track on ‘Don’t It Break Your Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.
Con Hunley recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’m Losing My Life’, which was co-written with Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) and David Wills, and included the track on ‘Don’t It Break Your Heart’ (Warner Bros. Records, 1980).
In 1980, David Wills recorded ‘She’s Hangin’ In There (I’m Hangin’ Out)’, which was written by David Wills, Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022) and Dean Dillon, as a non-album single, for United Artists Records; the track reached No.91 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1980.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Unwound’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Get Along With You’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012) and Buddy Cannon, and included the track on ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Down & Out’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981); the track reached No.16 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Friday Night Fever’, which was co-written with Blake Mevis (1949 – Wednesday 9 February 2022) and Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She’s Playing Hell (Trying To Get Me To Heaven)’, which was co-written with David Wills and Charles William Quillen (Monday 21 March 1938 – Friday 19 August 2022), and included the track on ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Her Goodbye Hit Me In The Heart’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Strait Country’ (MCA Records, 1981).
David Allan Coe recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, which was co-written with Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010), and included the track on ‘Tennessee Whiskey’ (Columbia Records, 1981); the track reached No.77 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1981.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Honky Tonk Crazy’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Strait From The Heart’ (MCA Records, 1982).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Marina Del Rey’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Strait From The Heart’ (MCA Records, 1982); the track reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1982.
Alabama recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Changes Comin’ On’ and included the track on ‘Mountain Music’ (RCA Records, 1982).
In 1983, Con Hunley saw the release, on MCA Records, of Dean Dillon’s ‘Once You Get The Feel of It’, which was co-written with Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012); the track, which was a non-album track, reached No.42 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
Hank Williams Jr. recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Leave Them Boys Alone’, which was co-written with Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003), Tanya Tucker and Hank Williams Jr., and included the track on ‘Strong Stuff’ (Elektra Records, 1983); the track, which featured guest vocals from Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) and Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984), reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, which was co-written with Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010), and included the track on ‘Shine On’ (Epic Records, 1983).
Red Jenkins (Tuesday 11 November 1947 – Sunday 26 December 2021) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Honky Tonk Crazy’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Red Jenkins In Nashvile’ (Sonet Records, 1983).
Waylon Jennings (Tuesday 15 June 1937 – Wednesday 13 February 2002) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Leave Them Boys Alone’, which was co-written with Hank Williams Jr., Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003) and Tanya Tucker, and included the track on ‘Waylon & Company’ (RCA Victor Records, 1983); the track, which featured guest vocals from Hank Williams Jr. and Ernest Tubb (Monday 9 February 1914 – Thursday 6 September 1984), reached No.6 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1983.
Sawyer Brown recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Smoking In The Rockies’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), Buddy Cannon and Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003), and included the track on ‘Sawyer Brown’ (Capitol Records, 1985).
Alabama recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘(She Won’t Have A Thing To Do With) Nobody But Me’ (co-written with Buzz Rabin and William ‘Flash’ Gordon) and included the track on ‘Forty Hour Week’ (RCA Records, 1985).
Ray Price (Tuesday 12 January 1926 – Monday 16 December 2013) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’m Not Leaving (I’m Just Getting Out of Your Way)’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘Welcome To Ray Price Country’ (Step One Records, 1985).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘You Sure Got This Old Redneck Feelin’ Blue’ (co-written with Buzz Rabin) and included the track on ‘Something Special’ (MCA Records, 1985).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘The Chair’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Something Special’ (MCA Records, 1985); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in December 1985.
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Miami, My Amy’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘LA To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1986).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Homecoming ’63’, which was co-written with Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘LA To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1986).
Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her’ and included the track on ‘LA To Miami’ (RCA Records, 1986).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her’ and included the track on ‘No.7’ (MCA Records, 1986); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in August 1986.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘It Ain’t Cool To Be Crazy About You’ and included the track on ‘No.7’ (MCA Records, 1986); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in December 1986.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘For Christ’s Sake, It’s Christmas’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Merry Christmas Strait To You’ (MCA Records, 1986).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Ocean Front Property’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1987); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1987.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Without You Here’, which was co-written with Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1987).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’m All Behind You Now’ and included the track on ‘Ocean Front Property’ (MCA Records, 1987).
Tanya Tucker recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Hope You Find What You’re Loving For’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Love Me Like You Used To’ (Capitol Records, 1987).
In 2010, Tanya Tucker‘s ‘Love Me Like You Used To’ (Capitol Records, 1987), along with Tanya Tucker‘s ‘Girls Like Me’ (Capitol Records, 1986), was re-issued by Hump Head Records, as a ‘2-on-1’ CD set, ‘Girls Like Me / Love Me Like You Used To’ (Hump Head Records, 2010).
Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Empty Glass’ and included the track on ‘Brand New’ (Hightone Records, 1988).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Famous Last Words of A Fool’ (co-written with Rex Huston) and included the track on ‘If You Ain’t Loving’ (MCA Records, 1988); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in April 1988.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Is It That Time Again’, which was co-written with Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘If You Ain’t Loving’ (MCA Records, 1988).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Back To Bein’ Me’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘If You Ain’t Loving’ (MCA Records, 1988).
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Is It Raining At Your House’ and included the track on ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1988).
Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Vern Gosdin and Buddy Cannon, and included the track on ‘Chiseled In Stone’ (Columbia Records, 1988); the track was No.1 on the Billboard country music singles chart for one week in July 1988.
Mickey Gilley (Sunday 29 September 1935 – Friday 28 October 2022) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Baby, I Feel For You’, which was co-written with Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012) and Bud McGuire, and included the track on ‘Chasing Rainbows’ (Airbone Records, 1988).
Shelby Lynne recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Little Bits & Pieces’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Sunrise’ (Epic Records, 1989); the track reached No.62 on the Billboard country music singles chart in 1989.
Shane Barmby (Monday 1 February 1954 – Thursday 27 October 2022) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Rainbow of Our Own’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon) and included the track on his debut album, ‘Let’s Talk About Us’ (Mercury Records, 1989).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’ve Come To Expect It From You’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘Livin’ It Up’ (MCA Records, 1990).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘We’re Supposed To Do That Now & Then’ (co-written with David Anthony and Joe Royer) and included the track on ‘Livin’ It Up’ (MCA Records, 1990).
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Still Got A Crush On You’ (co-written with Paul Overstreet) and included the track on ‘My Heart Is Yours’ (Sugar Hill Records, 1990).
Davis Daniel recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Still Got A Crush On You’ (co-written with Paul Overstreet) and included the track on ‘Fighting Fire With Fire’ (Mercury Records / Polygram Records, 1991); the track reached No.48 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘If I Know Me’, which was co-written with Pam Belford (1951 – Thursday 22 April 2021), and included the track on ‘Chill of An Early Fall’ (MCA Records, 1991); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1991, and No.1 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1991.
Paul Overstreet recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘If I Could Bottle This Up’ and included the track on ‘Heroes’ (RCA Records, 1991).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Holding My Own’, which was co-written with Pam Belford (1951 – Thursday 22 April 2021), and included the track on ‘Holding My Own’ (MCA Records, 1992).
John Michael Montgomery recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Great Memory’ (co-written with Trey Bruce) and included the track on ‘Life’s A Dance’ (Atlantic Records, 1992).
Wayne Newton recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Little Bits & Pieces’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Moods & Memories’ (Curb Records, 1992).
Doug Stone recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Used To Love Me A Lot’ (co-written with Doug Stone) and included the track on ‘More Love’ (Epic Records, 1993).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (co-written with Aaron Barker) and included the track on ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (MCA Records, 1993).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Without Me Around’ (co-written with John Northrup) and included the track on ‘Easy Come, Easy Go’ (MCA Records, 1993).
Tracy Byrd recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Back In The Swing of Things’, which was co-written with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and Buddy Cannon, and included the track on ‘Tracy Byrd’ (MCA Records, 1993).
Brooks & Dunn (Kix Brooks & Ronnie Dunn) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’ll Never Forgive My Heart’ (co-written with Ronnie Dunn and Janine Dunn) and included the track on ‘Waitin’ On Sundown’ (Arista Records, 1994).
Pam Tillis recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Spilled Perfume’ (co-written with Pam Tillis) and included the track on Sweetheart’s Dance’ (Arista Records, 1994); the track reached No.5 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1994.
Sammy Kershaw recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘If You Ever Come This Way Again’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘Feelin’ Good Train’ (Mercury Records, 1994).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Lead On’ (co-written with Teddy Gentry) and included the track on ‘Lead On’ (MCA Records, 1994).
Mark Collie recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘There’s Just You’ (co-written with Mark Collie) and included the track on ‘Tennessee Plates’ (Giant Records, 1995).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Any Old Love Won’t Do’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Tuesday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Strait Out of The Box’ (MCA Records, 1995).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘What Would Your Memories Do’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Strait Out of The Box’ (MCA Records, 1995).
Ty Herndon recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Summer Was A Bummer’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘What Mattered Most’ (Epic Records, 1995).
Shenandoah (featuring lead vocals from Marty Raybon) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Darned If I Don’t, Danged If I Do’ (co-written with Ronnie Dunn) and included the track on ‘In The Vicinity of The Heart’ (Liberty Records, 1995); the track, which reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1995, and No.7 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 1995, was nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best Country Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal’ at The Grammy Awards in 1995.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Rockin’ In The Arms of Your Memory’, which was co-written with Norro Wilson (Monday 4 April 1938 – Thursday 8 June 2017), and included the track on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Records, 1996).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’d Just As Soon Go’ (co-written with Aaron Barker) and included the track on ‘Blue Clear Sky’ (MCA Records, 1996).
Sammy Kershaw recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Same Place’ (co-written with Buddy Cannon and Marla Cannon) and included the track on ‘Politics, Religion & Her’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 1996).
George Jones (Saturday 12 September 1931 – Friday 26 April 2013) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Back Down To Hung Up On You’, which was co-written with Larry Butler (Thursday 26 March 1942 – Friday 20 January 2012), and included the track on ‘I’ve Lived To Tell It All’ (MCA Records, 1996).
Rich McCready recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Back In The Swing of Things’, which was co-written with Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘Rich McCready’ (Magnatone Records, 1996).
Rich McCready recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘When Hell Freezes Over’ (co-written with Pamela Belford) and included the track on ‘Rich McCready’ (Magnatone Records, 1996); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1996, but it did not chart.
M.C. Potts recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘One Sided, Too Long’ (co-written with Kaysie Poulsen and Kellie Poulsen) and included the track on ‘Straight To You’ (Avex Critique, 1996).
M.C. Potts recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Don’t See Any Way out’ (co-written with Kaysie Poulsen and Kellie Poulsen) and included the track on ‘Straight To You’ (Avex Critique, 1996).
M.C. Potts recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Put Me Out of My Misery’ (co-written with Kaysie Poulsen and Kellie Poulsen) and included the track on ‘Straight To You’ (Avex Critique, 1996).
Tracy Byrd recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘If I Stay’ (co-written with Larry Bastian) and included the track on ‘Big Love’ (MCA Records, 1996).
Rhett Akins recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Somebody New’ (co-written with Larry Bastian) and included the track on ‘Somebody New’ (Decca Nashville Records, 1996); the track reached No.69 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Sammy Kershaw recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘One Day Left To Live’ (co-written with Randy Boudreaux and John Northrup) and included the track on ‘Labor of Love’ (Mercury Records, 1997); the track reached No.35 on the Billboard Hot Country Tracks & Singles Chart in 1997.
Pam Tillis recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘All The Good Ones Are Gone’ (co-written with Bob McDill) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits’ (Arista Records, 1997); the track reached No.4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 1997.
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Always Says It First’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘I Will Stand’ (BNA Records, 1997).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Chance’, which was co-written with Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘I Will Stand’ (BNA Records, 1997).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Real Good Place To Start’ (co-written with Gary Nicholson) and included the track on ‘Carrying Your Love With Me’ (MCA Records, 1997).
Noel Haggard recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’ve Learned To Live’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘One Lifetime’ (Atlantic Records, 1997).
Ty Herndon recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Thinkin’ With My Heart Again’, which was co-written with Donny Kees and Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019), and included the track on ‘Big Hopes’ (Epic Records, 1998).
Aaron Tippin recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Don’t Stop (We’re Just Gettin’ Started)’ (co-written with Al Anderson) and included the track on ‘What This Country Needs’ (Lyric Street Records, 1998).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘That’s The Break’, which was co-written with Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘One Step At A Time’ (MCA Records, 1998).
Wade Hayes recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Summer Was A Bummer’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘When The Wrong One Loves Me Right’ (Columbia Records, 1998).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Peace of Mind’ (co-written with Aaron Barker) and included the track on ‘Always Never The Same’ (MCA Records, 1999).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘That’s Where I Wanna Take Our Love’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Always Never The Same’ (MCA Records, 1999).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Tonight I’ll Let My Memory Take Me Home’ (co-written with Roger Springer and Robert Arthur) and included the track on ‘I Don’t Want To Miss A Thing’ (Decca Records, 1999).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Thinkin’ With My Heart Again’, which was co-written with Sanger D. ‘Whitey’ Shafer (Wednesday 24 October 1934 – Saturday 12 January 2019) and Donny Kees, and included the track on ‘I Hope You Dance’ (MCA Nashville, 2000).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘The Best Day of My Life’ (co-written with Carson Chamberlain) and included the track on ‘Latest Greatest Straitest Hits’ (MCA Records, 2000).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘If It’s Gonna Rain’ (co-written with Donny Kees and Scott Emerick) and included the track on ‘George Strait’ (MCA Records, 2000).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Took The Wind From His Sails’ (co-written with Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘George Strait’ (MCA Records, 2000).
Craig Morgan recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Want Us Back’ (co-written with Maria Cannon-Goodman and Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘Craig Morgan’ (Atlantic Records, 2000).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Road Less Traveled’ (co-written with Buddy Brock) and included the track on ‘Road Less Traveled’ (MCA Records, 2001).
John Anderson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Ain’t Afraid of Dying’ (co-written with John Anderson) and included the track on ‘Nobody’s Got It All’ (Columbia Records, 2001).
John Anderson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Go To Town’ (co-written with John Anderson) and included the track on ‘Nobody’s Got It All’ (Columbia Records, 2001).
Bill Anderson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Lot of Things Different’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘A Lot of Things Different’ (Varese Records, 2001).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Lot of Things Different’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems’ (BNA Records, 2002).
Mark Chesnutt recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Drew Me’ (co-written with Casey Beathard) and included the track on ‘Mark Chesnutt’ (Columbia Records, 2002).
Travis Tritt recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Don’t Ever Want Her To Feel That Way Again’ (co-written with Travis Tritt) and included the track on ‘Strong Enough’ (Columbia Nashville Records, 2002).
Sonny Marshall recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Empty Glass’, which was co-written with Gary Stewart (Sunday 28 May 1944 – Tuesday 16 December 2003), and included the track on ‘Sonny Marshall’ (BSW Records, 2002).
Sammy Kershaw recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’ve Never Been Anywhere’ (co-written with Jim Collins) and included the track on ‘I Want My Money Back’ (Audium Records / Koch Records, 2003); the track reached No.58 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks Chart in 2003.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Honkytonkville’, which was co-written with Buddy Brock and Kim Williams (Saturday 28 June 1947 – Thursday 11 February 2016), and included the track on ‘Honkytonkville’ (MCA Records, 2003).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Honk If You Honky Tonk’ (co-written with Ken Mellons and John Northrup) and included the track on ‘Honkytonkville’ (MCA Records, 2003).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Four Down & Twelve Across’ (co-written with Tom Douglas) and included the track on ‘Honkytonkville’ (MCA Records, 2003).
Vince Gill recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Whippoorwill River’ (co-written with Vince Gill) and included the track on ‘Next Big Thing’ (MCA Records, 2003).
Brad Paisley recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Is it Raining At Your House’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘Mud On The Tires’ (Arista Nashville, 2003).
Con Hunley recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Only Time Will Tell’ (co-written with John Northrup and Tommy Rocco) and included the track on ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003); the track was released as a single on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2005, but it did not chart.
Con Hunley recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Over Getting, Over You’ and included the track on ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003).
Con Hunley recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Chance’, which was co-written with Royce D. Porter (Saturday 1 April 1939 – Thursday 31 May 2018), and included the track on ‘Sweet Memories’ (IMMI Records, 2003).
Toni Price (Monday 13 March 1961 – Friday 22 November 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, which was co-written with Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010) and Shelley King, and included the track on ‘Born To Be Blue’ (Texas Music Group, 2003).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Angel At The Top of My Tree’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney and Buddy Cannon) and included the track on ‘All I Want For Christmas Is A Real Good Tan’ (BNA Records, 2003).
Ken Mellons recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Climb My Tree’ (co-written with John Northrup and Billy Lawson) and included the track on ‘Sweet’ (Home Records, 2004).
Ken Mellons recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘You Can’t Make My Heart Believe’ (co-written with John Northrup and Ken Mellons) and included the track on ‘Sweet’ (Home Records, 2004).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Go With Her’ (co-written with Toby Keith and Scotty Emerick) and included the track on ‘Greatest Hits, Volume 2’ (DreamWorks Records, 2004).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Twenty Years & Two Husbands Ago’ and included the track on ‘There’s More Where That Came From’ (MCA Records, 2005).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Knock Yourself Out’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Honky Tonk University’ (DreamWorks Records, 2005).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘You Ain’t Leaving (Thank God Are Ya)’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Honky Tonk University’ (DreamWorks Records, 2005).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Be As You Are’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘Be As You Are (Songs From An Old Blue Chair)’ (BNA Records, 2005).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Soul of A Sailor’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘Be As You Are (Songs From An Old Blue Chair)’ (BNA Records, 2005).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Guitars & Tiki Bars’ (co-written with Mark Tamburino and Kenny Chesney) and included the track on ‘Be As You Are (Songs From An Old Blue Chair)’ (BNA Records, 2005).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Good News, Bad News’ (co-written with Dale Dodson and Lee Ann Womack) and included the track on ‘Somewhere Down In Texas’ (MCA Records, 2005); this track featured guest vocals from Lee Ann Womack.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Let Yourself Go’ (co-written with Kerry Kurt Philips) and included the track on ‘Somewhere Down In Texas’ (MCA Records, 2005).
Catherine Britt recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A New Pair of Shoes’ (co-written with Jim McBride) and included the track on ‘Too Far Gone’ (ABC Country Records, 2006).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Little Too Late’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘White Trash With Money’ (Show Dog Nashville Records, 2006); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2006.
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Ain’t Already There’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘White Trash With Money’ (Show Dog Nashville Records, 2006).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Note To Self’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘White Trash With Money’ (Show Dog Nashville Records, 2006).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Too Far This Time’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘White Trash With Money’ (Show Dog Nashville Records, 2006).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Ain’t No Right Way’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘White Trash With Money’ (Show Dog Nashville Records, 2006).
Ronnie Milsap recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘If It’s Gonna Rain’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Donny Kees) and included the track on ‘My Life’ (RCA Nashville Records, 2006), which was produced by Keith Stegall.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘That’s My Kind of Woman’ (co-written with Tammy Hyler) and included the track on ‘It Just Comes Natural’ (MCA Records, 2006).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Ain’t Her Cowboy Anymore’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Marla Cannon-Goodman) and included the track on ‘It Just Comes Natural’ (MCA Records, 2006).
The Del McCoury Band recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Jesus Carried Me A Cross’ (co-written with Ronnie Bowman and Scott Emerick) and included the track on ‘The Promised Land’ (McCoury Music, 2006).
Sarah Johns recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘It’s Hard To Be A Girl (In A Young Man’s World)’ (co-written with Sarah Johns and Dale Dodson) and included the track on ‘Big Love In A Small Town’ (BNA Records, 2007).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Get My Drink On’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Big Dog Daddy’ (Show Dog Nashville Records, 2007); the track reached No.11 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2007.
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Burnin’ Moonlight’ (co-written with Scott Emerick and Toby Keith) and included the track on ‘Big Dog Daddy’ (Show Dog Nashville Records, 2007).
Blake Shelton recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Don’t Care’ (co-written with Casey Beathard) and included the track on ‘Pure BS’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2007).
Jeff Griffith recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk’ and included the track on ‘If It Ain’t One Thing, It’s Another’ (Arrowhead Records, 2007).
Joe Nichols recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘All Good Things’ (co-written with Scotty Emerick) and included the track on ‘Real Things’ (Universal South Records, 2007).
Gary Allan recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘As Long As You’re Looking Back’ (co-written with Aaron Barker and Scotty Emerick) and included the track on ‘Living Hard’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2007).
Willie Nelson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’m Alive’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney and Mark Tamborino) and included the track on ‘Moment of Forever’ (Lost Highway Records, 2008).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Give Me More Time’ (co-written with Al Anderson and Scott Emerick) and included the track on ‘Troubadour’ (MCA Records, 2008).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘When You’re In Love’ (co-written with Kerry Kurt Philips) and included the track on ‘Troubadour’ (MCA Records, 2008).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘West Texas Town’ (co-written with Robert Earl Keen) and included the track on ‘Troubadour’ (MCA Records, 2008); this track was a duet with Dean Dillon.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘If Heartaches Were Horses’ (co-written with Buddy Brock and Wil Nance) and included the track on ‘Troubadour’ (MCA Records, 2008).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Have You Seen That Girl’ and included the track on ‘Call Me Crazy’ (MCA Records, 2008).
Lee Ann Womack recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘We Called It Everything But Quits’ and included the track on ‘Call Me Crazy’ (MCA Records, 2008); this track was a duet with George Strait.
Mark Chesnutt recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Never Got Me Over You’, which was co-written with Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Rollin’ With The Flow’ (Lofton Creek Records, 2008).
Melonie Cannon recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Buddy Cannon, Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘And The Wheels Turn’ (Rural Rhythm Records, 2008).
Blake Shelton recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Here I Am’ (co-written with Blake Shelton) and included the track on ‘Startin’ Fires’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2008).
Blake Shelton recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Don’t Care’ (co-written with Casey Beathard) and included the track on ‘Startin’ Fires’ (Warner Bros. Records, 2008).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’m Alive’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney and Mark Tamburino) and included the track on ‘Lucky Old Sun’ (Blue Chair Records / BNA Records, 2008); this track featured guest vocals from Dave Matthews.
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Boats’ (co-written with Kenny Chesney and Scotty Emerick) and included the track on ‘Lucky Old Sun’ (Blue Chair Records / BNA Records, 2008).
Kenny Chesney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Key’s In The Conch Shell’ (co-written with Aaron Barker, Scotty Emerick and Tom Gross) and included the track on ‘Lucky Old Sun’ (Blue Chair Records / BNA Records, 2008).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Living For The Night’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Twang’ (MCA Records, 2009).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘The Breath You Take’ (co-written with Jessie Jo Dillon and Casey Beathard) and included the track on ‘Twang’ (MCA Records, 2009).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘He’s Got That Something Special’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Twang’ (MCA Records, 2009).
John Anderson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Better News’ (co-written with John Anderson) and included the track on ‘Bigger Hands’ (Country Crossing Records, 2009).
John Anderson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Missing Her Again’ (co-written with John Anderson) and included the track on ‘Bigger Hands’ (Country Crossing Records, 2009).
Jamey Johnson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), Buddy Cannon and Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), and included the track on ‘The Guitar Song’ (Mercury Records, 2010).
Toby Keith (Saturday 8 July 1961 – Monday 5 February 2024) recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Is That All You Got’ (co-written with Toby Keith and Scott Emerick) and included the track on ‘Bullets in The Gun’ (Show Dog-Universal Music, 2010).
Rodney Atkins recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘The Corner’ (co-written with Jessie Jo Dillon and Dale Dodson) and included the track on ‘Take A Back Road’ (Curb Records, 2011).
Ashton Shepherd recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’m Good’ (co-written with Ashton Shepherd and Dale Dodson) and included the track on ‘Where Country Grows’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2011).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Here For A Good Time’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Here For A Good Time’ (MCA Records, 2011); the track reached No.2 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2011.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Drinkin’ Man’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Here For A Good Time’ (MCA Records, 2011); the track reached No.37 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2012.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘House Across The Bay’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Here For A Good Time’ (MCA Records, 2011).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Three Nails & A Cross’ (co-written with Bobby Boyd, Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Here For A Good Time’ (MCA Records, 2011).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Blue Marlin Blues’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Here For A Good Time’ (MCA Records, 2011).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I’ll Always Remember You’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Here For A Good Time’ (MCA Records, 2011).
Kellie Pickler recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Long As I Never See You Again’ (co-written with Kellie Pickler and Dale Dodson) and included the track on ‘100 Proof’ (XIX / BNA Records, 2012).
Kellie Pickler recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘The Letter (To Daddy)’ (co-written with Dale Dodson and Kellie Pickler) and included the track on ‘100 Proof’ (XIX / BNA Records, 2012).
Todd Fritsch recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Horses He Can’t Ride Anymore’ (co-written with Al Anderson and Scotty Emerick) and included the track on ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (Saddle Up Records, 2012).
Todd Fritsch recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Top of My List’ (co-written with John Northrup) and included the track on ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (Saddle Up Records, 2012).
Todd Fritsch recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘It Don’t Hurt To Ask’ (co-written with Roxie Dean and Jeremy Spillman) and included the track on ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (Saddle Up Records, 2012).
Todd Fritsch recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (co-written with Buddy Brock and Wil Nance) and included the track on ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (Saddle Up Records, 2012).
Todd Fritsch recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘That Girl’s Got A Cowboy’s Heart’ (co-written with Scotty Emerick and Tim Ryan) and included the track on ‘Up Here In The Saddle’ (Saddle Up Records, 2012).
Garth Brooks recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Unwound’, which was co-written with Frank Dycus (Friday 5 December 1939 – Friday 23 November 2012), and included the track on ‘Blame It All On My Roots: Five Decades of Influences’ (Pearl Records, 2013); the track was included within the ‘Country Classics’ album.
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘The Night Is Young’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Love Is Everything’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2013).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘I Believe’ (co-written with Bubba Strait and George Strait) and included the track on ‘Love Is Everything’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2013); the track reached No.50 on the Billboard Country Airplay Chart in 2013.
Randy Travis recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), Buddy Cannon and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Influence Vol. 2: The Man I Am’ (Warner Bros. Records Nashville, 2014).
John Conlee recorded Dean Dillon’ ‘A Lot of Things Different’ (co-written with Bill Anderson) and included the track on ‘Classics 2’ (Rose Colored Records, 2015).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Everything I See’ (co-written with George Strait, Bubba Strait and Keith Gattis) and included the track on ‘Cold Beer Conversation’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2015).
George Strait recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Even When I Can’t Feel It’ (co-written with Ben Hayslip and Lee Thomas Miller) and included the track on ‘Cold Beer Conversation’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2015).
Chris Stapleton recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Tennessee Whiskey’, which was co-written with Linda Hargrove (Thursday 3 February 1949 – Sunday 24 October 2010), and included the track on ‘Traveller’ (Mercury Nashville Records, 2015); the track was No.1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart in 2015, No.20 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music singles chart in 2015, and No.39 on the Canadian RPM Country Tracks Chart in 2015.
Gene Watson recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Never Got Me Over You’, which was co-written with Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989), and included the track on ‘Real.Country.Music‘ (Fourteen Carat Music, 2016).
Courtney Granger recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘She Never Got Me Over You’, which was co-written with Keith Whitley (Thursday 1 July 1954 – Tuesday 9 May 1989) and Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010), and included the track on ‘Beneath Still Waters’ (Valcour Records, 2016).
Mo Pitney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Everywhere’ (co-written with Phil O’Donnell and Mo Pitney) and included the track on ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016); the track was released as a single in 2017, but it did not appear on any chart.
Mo Pitney recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Take The Chance’ (co-written with Mo Pitney) and included the track on ‘Behind This Guitar’ (Curb Records, 2016).
James Robert Webb recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Nobody In His Right Mind Would’ve Left Her’ and included the track on ‘Honky Tonk Revival’ (Bison Creek Records, 2017).
Darius Rucker recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Count The Beers’ (co-written with Darius Rucker and Josh Thompson) and included the track on ‘When Was The Last Time’ (Capitol Records, 2017).
Darius Rucker recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Another Night With You’ (co-written with Darius Rucker and Josh Thompson) and included the track on ‘When Was The Last Time’ (Capitol Records, 2017).
Jordan Mogey recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Set ‘Em Up, Joe’, which was co-written with Vern Gosdin (Sunday 5 August 1934 – Tuesday 28 April 2009), Hank Cochran (Friday 2 August 1935 – Thursday 15 July 2010) and Buddy Cannon, and included the track on ‘Cowboys, Drifters & Angels’ (Jordan Mogey Independent Release, 2017).
Vince Gill recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘A Letter To My Mama’ (co-written with Vince Gill) and included the track on ‘Okie’ (MCA Nashville Records, 2019).
Jon Pardi recorded Dean Dillon’s ‘Love Her Like She’s Leaving’ (co-written with Bart Butler and Jessie Jo Dillon) and included the track on ‘Heartache Medication’ (Capitol Nashville Records, 2019).
• Visit Dean Dillon’s official site at deandillon.com