Barry Dean (born 1967) is an American country and pop music songwriter based in Nashville, Tennessee. He has written multiple No. 1 singles including “Pontoon” (Little Big Town), “Day Drinking” (Little Big Town), "Somebody's Daughter" (Tenille Townes), and "Think a Little Less" (Michael Ray), along with a Top 40 hit with “Girls Chase Boys” (Ingrid Michaelson). He has been nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song on Tim McGraw's "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools."
Early life Dean was born in Okmulgee, Oklahoma and grew up in rural Pittsburg, Kansas. He wrote songs and played in bands throughout high school and during his time at Pittsburg State University. Dean briefly pursued songwriting in Los Angeles but abandoned that in his 20s.
Dean returned to Pittsburg and worked as Creative Director for Pitsco Incorporated. He was involved in the education business for several years with a focus on marketing and media technology. In his mid-30s, Dean’s wife encouraged him to pursue songwriting again and signed him up for a cruise held by the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International for aspiring songwriters. The NSAI subsequently invited Dean to a song camp in Nashville. He considers this camp a formative experience where he learned how to write professionally and began to co-write with other Nashville writers.
Songwriting career For his first years as a songwriter Dean continued to live in Kansas and would commute into Nashville to co-write. He eventually moved to Nashville and signed with BMG in his mid-30s. His first songwriting cut was Reba McEntire playing “Moving Oleta,” a personal song Dean wrote based on his grandfather’s love for his spouse as she went through Alzheimer’s Disease. His first single, Matrina McBride’s “God’s Will,” was also personal, written in response to his daughter’s premature birth and slow recovery. Rolling Stone included “God’s Will” on its list of the “Saddest Country Songs of All Time.”
Dean has had two No. 1 hits with Little Big Town, his first with “Pontoon” and again with “Day Drinking.” “Pontoon” has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. Dean also reached No. 1 with “Think a Little Less” recorded by Michael Ray. Dean has co-written many hit radio singles including Jason Aldean’s “1994,” Brothers Osborne’s “Rum,” Hunter Hayes’ “Tattoo,” Toby Keith’s “Drinks After Work," Ashley Monroe's "On to Something Good," and Alison Krauss & Union Station's "My Love Follows You Where You Go." In addition to country, Dean's “Girls Chase Boys,” co-written and performed by Ingrid Michaelson, appeared on multiple radio charts, won a BMI Pop Award, and has been certified platinum by the RIAA.
In the past decade, Dean has had songs recorded by Jason Aldean, Charlotte Church, Billy Currington, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, Toby Keith, Alison Krauss, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen, Thomas Rhett, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Underwood, Jon Pardi, Brothers Osbourne, Lori McKenna, and Maren Morris, among others.
“Pontoon,” co-written with Luke Laird and Natalie Hemby, went on to be nominated for a number of Country Music Awards. Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Barstools,” which Dean co-wrote with Luke Laird and Jonathan Singleton, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Song. His music has appeared in movies, such as Act of Valour, and TV shows, such as Nashville and NCIS.
Dean is primarily a co-writer, often working with songwriters Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, and Natalie Hemby. Dean left Universal Music to join Creative Nation with Beth and Luke Laird.
In appreciation for providing him a place to stay after his first child’s premature birth, Dean has been an outspoken advocate and organized a benefit for the Ronald McDonald House of the Four States.
Songwriting discography
Year Artist Album Song Co-written with2003 Martina McBride Martina "God's Will" Tom Douglas Reba McEntire Room To Breathe "Moving Oleta"2006 Heartland I Loved Her First "Judge A Man" Don Poythress John Corbett John Corbett "Judge A Man" Don Poythress2007 Carrie Underwood Carnival Ride "Crazy Dreams" Carrie Underwood, Troy Verges Lewis, Scruggs & Long Lifetimes "James White" Don Poythress, Brian White2008 Hush Backroads "Hush" Gerlach, Hartmann Chris Eaton Dare To Dream "Alright" Don Poythress, Chris Eaton Phil Stacey Phil Stacey "No Way Around A River" Harrington 2009 Karen Peck and New River No Worries "The Hour I First Believed" Tony Wood, Don Poythress 2010 Bill Anderson Songwriter "One Bad Memory" Bill Anderson, Tim Nichols Laura Bell Bundy Achin' and Shakin' "Boyfriend" Luke Laird, Laura Bell Bundy Adam Brand It's Gonna Be Ok "Kiss You Back" Adam Brand, Travis Meadows Don Poythress feat. Ricky Scaggs Wash Away " Faithful Love Of Jesus" Don Poythress, Karyn Rochelle Clay Walker She Won't Be Lonely Long "People In Planes" Luke Laird Lori McKenna Christmas Release "Wishlist" Mary Steenburgen, Troy Verges, Lori McKenna Whitney Duncan iTunes EP "Getting Off Now" Luke Laird, Whitney DuncanKatharine McPheeUnbroken "Last Letter" Luke Laird, Katharine McPhee "Anybody's Heart" Luke Laird, Katharine McPhee Guy Penrod Breathe Deep "Breathe Deep" Don Poythress, Tony Wood 2011 Neal McCoy XII "A-OK" Luke Laird, Brett Eldredge Alison Krauss Paper Airplane "My Love Follows Where You Go" Lori McKenna, Liz RoseHunter HayesStorm Warning "Cry With You" Hunter Hayes "Faith To Fall Back On" Hunter Hayes "Can't Say Love" Hunter Hayes Sara Evans Stronger "Life Without Losing" Luke Laird, Sara Evans, Andrew DorffLori McKennaLorraine "American Revolver" Lori McKenna "The Most" Lori McKenna "Still Down Here" Lori McKenna "Rocket Science" Lori McKenna Meat Loaf, John Rich, Lil Jon, Mark McGrath Feat. on Celebrity Apprentice "Stand In The Storm" Troy Verges Martina McBride Eleven "Ask The Boy" Troy VergesCharlotte ChurchBack to Scratch "The Story Of Us" Luke Laird, Charlotte Church "Suitcase" Luke Laird, Charlotte Church "Unraveling" Luke Laird, Charlotte Church 2012 Little Big Town Tornado Pontoon Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby Kellie Pickler 100 Proof "Rockaway" Kellie Pickler, Brent Cobb Hunter Hayes Act of Valor: The Album "Where We Left Off" Hunter Hayes Jay Sean, Jewel, Owl City ConAgra Child Hunger Campaign "Here's Hope" Luke Laird, Hunter Hayes Montgomery Gentry Act of Valor: The Album "What It Takes" Troy Verges, Andrew Dorff Neil McCoy XII "Judge A Man" Donald Poythress Marlee Scott Beautiful Maybe "Rhinestone in the Rough" Lesley Roy, Desmond ChildTrent DabbsFuture Like Snow "Better Off Now" Trent Dabbs "Hoping For Home" Trent Dabbs, Luke Laird, Mary Steenburgen "Future Like Snow" Trent Dabbs, Lori McKenna Brandon Heath Blue Mountain "Blue Mountain" Luke Laird, Brandon Heath 2013 Jason Aldean Night Train "1994" Luke Laird, Thomas Rhett Toby Keith Drinks After Work "Drinks After Work" Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby Ronnie Dunn I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes "I Wish I Still Smoked Cigarettes" Luke Laird, Lori McKenna Jake Owen Days of Gold "Tall Glass Of Something" Luke Laird, Jaren Johnston Thomas Rhett It Goes Like This "Sorry For Partyin'" Jimmy Robbins, Thomas Rhett Billy Currington We Are Tonight "Another Day Without You" Andrew Dorff, Shane McAnally Brett Eldredge Bring You Back "Gotta Get There" Luke Laird, Brett Eldredge 2014 Little Big Town Pain Killer "Day Drinking" Troy Verges, Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet Brothers Osborne Brothers Osborne "Rum" John Osborne, T. J. Osborne Hunter Hayes Storyline "Tattoo" Troy Verges, Hunter Hayes Ingrid Michaelson Lights Out "Girls Chase Boys" Ingrid Michaelson, Trent Dabbs Blake Shelton Bringing Back the Sunshine "Anyone Else" Luke Laird, Natalie HembyHunter HayesStoryline "Flashlight" Troy Verges, Hunter Hayes "Wild Card" Luke Laird, Hunter Hayes Steve Moakler Wide Open "Crooked Heart"Steve Moakler Angaleena Presley American Middle Class "Surrender" Luke Laird, Angaleena Presley 2015 Tim McGraw Sundown Heaven Town "Diamond Rings and Old Barstools" Luke Laird, Jonathan Singleton Ashley Monroe Blade "On To Something Good" Luke Laird, Ashley Monroe Hunter Hayes The 21 Project "Saint or a Sinner" Hunter Hayes, Lori McKenna 2016Hunter Hayes TBA "Yesterday's Song" Hunter Hayes, Martin JohnsonMichael RayMichael Ray"Think a Little Less"John Nite, Jimmy Robbins, Thomas RhettLori McKennaThe Bird & the Rifle"Halfway Home"Lori McKenna"Old Men, Young Women"Luke Laird, Lori McKennaLeAnn RimesRemnants "How to Kiss a Boy"LeAnn Rimes2017Brothers OsbornePawn Shop"Dirt Rich"John Osborne, T. J. Osborne"Rum"John Osborne, T. J. OsborneThe Steel WoolsStraw in the Wind"The Well"Brent CobbLittle Big TownThe Breaker"Free"Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna Steve MoaklerSteel Town"Siddle's Saloon"Steve Moakler2018Devin DawsonDark Horse"Dip"Devin Dawson, Luke LairdBØRNSBlue Madonna"We Don't Care"BØRNS
Production discography YearArtistAlbumDetails2011Lori McKennaLorraineProducerTravis MeadowsKillin' Uncle Buzzy Producer2012Sugar and the Hi LowsHigh RollerProducer
Awards and nominations 2012
Country Music Association Single of the Year Winner for Little Big Town's "Pontoon"
2013
MusicRow's Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year Nominee CMA Song of the Year Nominee for Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” ACA Song of the Year Nominee for Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” NSAI Songs I Wish I'd Written Award for Little Big Town’s “Pontoon”
2015 NSAI Songs I Wish I'd Written Award for Tim McGraw's "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools" BMI Pop Award for Ingrid Michaelson's "Girls Chase Boys"
2016 58th Annual Grammy Awards Best Country Song Nominee for Tim McGraw's "Diamond Rings And Old Barstools"
References