Marlon Dean

Country Music Singer, Songwriter

 

Country singer-songwriter Marlon Dean was raised in the small Southern town of MacClenny, Florida where he was handed his first guitar at age eight, and at age ten began writing his own material.

 

While growing up Dean spent his free time songwriting and performing.  At the same rate, he was being groomed in the family business - a crawfish enterprise which distributes product to regional Publix stores and other food retailers.  When speaking of those years, Dean proudly says in his own brand of subtle-humor, “Trust me, if you can sell crawfish, you can sell anything!”

 

Dean learned the merits of hard work from his father and discovered he also shared an aptitude as a self-starter.  Together they created an annual festival known as The Crawfishman’s Cajun Crawfish Festival.  Orchestrating a venue to incorporate his fever for country music; the event also became a massive outdoor event attended by 100,000 people where Dean headlined as live entertainment. 

 

Now a veteran of Music Row, country’s premier address, Dean remembers the day he packed up his car and set out for Nashville to follow the dream. “It was September 11, 2001.  In the early hours, the day was significant to me as the beginning of a new chapter in my life.  As I drove and listened to the radio, the events we now know as 9/11 unfolded.  By the time I reached Nashville the date would have a very different meaning.  It was the day we changed as Americans and for me a personal transformation also took place.  I was more determined than ever to persevere and succeed in the face of challenge.”

 

Since relocating to Nashville, Dean has developed as a professional songwriter through a lengthy internship with Michael Huffman, responsible for No. 1 hits including, “Tight Fittin’ Jeans” recorded by the legendary Conway Twitty, "A Cold One Comin' On" for Montgomery Gentry, and “Adalida” made famous by the incomparable George Straight.

 

His all-heart approach and sweat-equity have proven to be a valuable combination.  Dean has become one of the locals on ‘The Row’.  He has the focus of a business pro and the passion fueled by raw determination.  As his mentor and colleague Michael Huffman says of Marlon Dean, “I’ve seen them come and go in this town, but the great ones always leave a mark.  When ‘The Kid’ (as affectionately nicknamed) speaks, people listen.”

 

Dean tackles all aspects of music making, songwriting and production as he lives and breaths his art. As Writer / Producer, Dean has written songs for and produced such Country Stars as Chad Brock.  He has written and directed music videos while also writing lyrics and musical scores for television pilots. In early 2009, Dean singed to a Record Deal with the Indie great, SSM Nashville. 

Today, Dean and Huffman have collaborated on a collection to form a twelve-song record which will formally introduce Marlon Dean as a featured solo recording artist.  The album is slated for release this year.