All it takes is one listen to know that Harley Dean has Texas roots. This only makes sense, since the seeds were planted in San Antonio, Texas and fertilized with a vast array of Texas musical influences. Harley grew up soaking up the abundant variety of music that permeated the Texas air. Everything from Willie, Waylon, Credence, Joplin, Dylan Kristofferson was Moms favorite to the thriving punk rock and grunge scenes, which were not so much to Moms liking. All of this blended together to grow two things, Harleys love of music and a tenacious desire to create some of his own.
In the 1990s Harley spent seven years in Stephenville, Texas getting degrees in Animal Science and Microbiology from Tarleton State University and becoming a food scientist. While he was soaking up some knowledge, he was soaking in the sounds of the singer songwriters of Texas and Oklahoma that were playing the local bars, which he somehow frequented, despite the fact that laws said he was too young to be there.
Round about the year 2000, Harley moved to Schertz, Texas, bought a guitar and taught himself to play. Sure he worked out a few standards, but Harley primarily learned to play guitar by writing and playing his own songs. Harleys songs are mostly based on his own life and experiences, but he also tells the tales he observes around him.
Harleys job had him traveling solo to some of the most remote and rural corners of the country. He developed a habit of always traveling with his guitar and he could be heard late into the night strumming and singing as he put melodies to his thoughts. No one from the neighboring rooms ever complained, which may mean that they really liked what they heard. Either that or they listened to the lyrics and decided to leave the man alone with his thoughts.
When pressed to define his musical style, Harley gives an uncomfortable look, then typically replies something like this: I dont know how to answer that. I dont know if its country or rock or what. Its just real, honest music.
In 2003 he played his first gig at a truck stop outside of Schertz, Texas. It was a lucrative deal consisting of free beer and tips. This soon grew to consistent gigging all around the region, with a regular gig at Juniors in Floresville, Texas. Juniors is something of a cross between a filling station and a beer joint, so these gigs also paid in beer and tips. A pattern seemed to be emerging; well, actually a couple patterns, including gatherings of increasingly enthusiastic fans. The time was ripe for an even larger audience.
In the spring of 2004, Harley met up with Stoney LaRue, a singer songwriter out of Oklahomas Red Dirt music scene. Stoney liked Harleys sound and he offered to produce his first record. The resulting record, There and Back Again is comprised of 12 original songs. It has received airplay and rave reviews from around the globe. In fact, in his review of the record, Remo Ricaldone, an Italian radio disc jockey, wrote that Harley Deans name is one that the Texas and Oklahoma roots music scene can easily add to their favorite artist agenda.
Since the release of his record, Harley has really been in demand as a live attraction. Hes now gigging all around the great state of Texas and fast becoming a fan favorite from Fort Worth to Floresville and from Houston to Lubbock.
That sure is a far cry from playing truck stops for a few folks who were likely seeing pink elephants. Keep an eye out for live gigs in your neck of the woods and an ear open for his next record, which should be just around the bend. Youll be glad you did so you wont have to be lying when you tell folks that you saw him way back when.
