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SPOTLIGHT ON

THE SONGS AND STORIES OF DEAN DILLON

PHOTOS BY GLENDA S. PARADEE


Country Music Hall of Fame member Dean Dillon was the center of attention at the Von Braun Center Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama, on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, as many of country music’s biggest stars honored the legendary singer/songwriter.   The event dubbed “Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon,” was filmed for a television special to broadcast at a later date. 

 

PERFORMERS INCLUDED:            

  

GEORGE STRAIT, JON PARDI, CRAIG MORGAN, LEE ANN WOMACK, NEAL McCOY, RANDY HOUSER, MICHAEL RAY, DREW BALDRIDGE, RONNIE DUNN, RILEY GREEN, JUSTIN MOORE, JAMEY JOHNSON, BILLY CURRINGTON, PAM TILLIS, LEE ANN WOMACK, MARK CHESNUTT, ZACH TOP, GRAMPS MORGAN, DUE WEST, RAELYNN, TIM WATSON, CODY JOHNSON, SAM MOORE, DUE WEST, DUSTIN LYNCH, AND LARRY FLEET WITH SPECIAL APPEARANCE BY PRO-GOLFER JOHN DALY

During the one-night only concert event, artists paid tribute to songs written or co-written by Dean Dillon and made famous by Toby Keith, Vern Gosdin, Waylon Jennings, and Keith Whitley, while others performed songs that became hits for their own career.  


The show broke the record for the highest-grossing concert in VBC history, and Mayor of Huntsville, Tommy Battle, even named October 9th Dean Dillon Day. 


Dillon is a three-time Grammy nominee with 26 No. 1 singles to his songwriting credit and was named the 1985 Billboard Country Artist of the Year.  In 1986, Dillon was awarded the Nashville Songwriters award.  The Country Music Association (CMA) honored Dillon with the CMA Triple Play Award in 1995, 1996, 1998 for penning three No. 1 songs in a 12-month period.  In 2002, Dillon was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame along with Bob Dylan and Shel Silverstein.


Dillon has composed or co-written 55 songs for George Strait, including 19 singles, 11 which went to No. 1.  Even in a career like Strait’s, the Dillon titles stand out: “Marina del Rey”, “The Chair”, “I’ve Come to Expect it From You”, “Easy Come, Easy Go”, “She Let Herself Go”, and “The Best Day.” His songs all pair instantly catchy melodies with gutbucket country lyrics, signature qualities of a Dillon composition that would also become hallmarks of Strait’s own style and sound.


The event was catered by the Omaha Steaks, and they were wonderfully delicious.


The concert event was produced by EMG Presents.  The television property was produced by Encore Music Group with executive producers Dean Dillon and Justin Ward, producers Bradford Van Demark and Michael Johnson, Director Mike Johnson, Lighting Director Mark Carver, Stage Designer Scott Morre, and Music Director Brent Rader.

www.songsandstoriesof.com


THANKS FOR THE MUSIC DEAN DILLON and ALL THE PERFORMERS!


For more information about Dean Dillion, go to his website:  Dean Dillon 


HUNDREDS OF PHOTOS BY GLENDA S. PARADEE

    MORE PHOTOS BY GLENDA S. PARADEE

      www.concerts4acause.org

      Pictured L-R: Josh Bleidt, Concerts 4 A Cause; Bob Sweitzer, Astera; Dean Dillon, Justin Ward, Encor

       

      Country Music Hall of Fame Member Dean Dillon, Justin Ward (executive producer of Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon) in partnership with Concerts 4 A Cause, Astera, and Omaha Steaks gave away 100 guitars to three local school districts in the Huntsville, Alabama area. Astera also presented a $10,000 contribution to further support this initiative.

      Omaha Steaks, America’s Original Butcher and the official sponsor of Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon, announced its partnership with Concerts 4 A Cause to continue the efforts to raise awareness and money for music education. As part of the rollout, Omaha Steaks is excited to introduce their Songs and Steaks special, which offers 50% off sitewide orders PLUS 10% of every purchase will benefit Concerts 4 A Cause.

      "As a simple songwriter who's been at this for over five decades, music has become more than just a career for me—it's a universal language that heals and brings people together,” shares Dean Dillon. “That's why it was important for 100 guitars to be donated to the local schools, giving students the chance to start playing and discovering their own passion for music. It only takes three chords and the truth to create a song, and who knows, the next Dean Dillon might be right here in Huntsville. I want to thank all the sponsors and organizers who made this event and the donations possible."

      Patriot Mobile, the official cellular provider of the event, whose mission is to relentlessly defend our God-given rights and freedoms and to do so in a way that would glorify God announced they were excited to be able to provide over 100 tickets to VetTix so that local Veterans could attend this celebration honoring Dean Dillon.

      “Music plays such a vital role in shaping young minds, and we are thrilled to support an organization that gives students the tools they need to explore their creativity and build their future through music,” shared Astera CEO Bob Sweitzer. “By providing instruments to schools across communities, you’re not just offering an opportunity to play; you’re sparking a passion that will resonate in these communities for generations. We’re proud to support you in empowering the next generation of musicians.”

      “On behalf of our three school districts, Huntsville City, Madison County, and Madison City, and all of our teachers, thank you!” shared Dr. Ed Nichols, Superintendent of Madison City Schools. “It’s incredible that our kids will have this opportunity. It’s amazing that somewhere out in our community, there’s a young girl or a young boy that for the first time they will be getting that ‘three chords and the truth’ thanks to Dean Dillon!”

      John Daly, a professional golfer who was not in attendance, heard of the news and phoned in a contribution of $5,000 on behalf of his Good Boy products to this music-in-schools program.

      About Concerts 4 A Cause:

      Founded in 2008 by Louisville, Kentucky, native and artist manager Josh Bleidt saw the opportunity to utilize music and celebrity-driven events to raise awareness and funds for various causes. Throughout its nearly two-decade history, Concerts 4 A Cause has raised well over two million dollars to assist children’s hospitals, veterans organizations, flood and tornado relief, music education, first responders, and more.

      In April 2023, in a partnership with Nancy Jones, over $82,000 was raised for two police officers wounded in the line duty prior to the Still Playin’ Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones concert event. In December 2023, over $110,000 was raised through the guitars4cops.com promotion in association with The Wounded Blue, a 501c3 org. In February 2024, over $88,000 was raised to benefit the children of late-country singer Daryle Singletary.

      Their events have been featured nationally on outlets such as FOX News, CMT, GAC, Honkytonk TV, and RFD-TV, to name a few. For more information on Concerts 4 A Cause, to make a donation, or to be notified of upcoming events, please visit Concerts4ACause.org.

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      • Mary Chapin Carpenter
      • Trisha Yearwood
      • Noami Judd
      • Sylvia Nature Child
      • Kathy Mattea - Oct 2020
      • Tinkerbell Book-May 2020
      • Kathy Mattea - May 2020

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