As part of the 2011-2012 Blue Mountain Performing Arts Series and Bluefield College’s yearlong symposium, “A Celebration of Appalachia,” the Dean concert will begin at 7:30 p.m. in BC’s Harman Chapel.
After attending college on a basketball scholarship, Dean moved to Nashville, Tennessee, in 1983 to begin his music career. With a deep appreciation for the value of music and a diverse array of musical influences, he recorded his first to five hit in 1990, “Only Here For A Little While.”
Since then, his insightful songwriting, clear and distinctive voice, and masterful instrumental gifts have earned him additional accolades and awards, including the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year (“Somewhere In My Broken Heart”) and the ACM’s New Male Vocalist of The Year.
In addition, Dean has earned BMI Pop Awards, BMI Song Awards, the BMI Million Air Plays Award, the Country Music Television Rising Star Award, NSAI Song of the Year, and a Grammy for a country tribute in “Amazing Grace.”
Appealing to more than just the music world, Dean has appeared on numerous television shows and made-for TV movies, including Blue Valley Songbird, A Face to Kill For, Lois & Clark, One Life to Live, Diagnosis Murder, Good Morning America, The Tonight Show, and The Montel Show.
After 12 albums and 11 top 10 singles spanning a period of 18 years, Dean founded the publishing company BDMG (Billy Dean Music Group). His latest album, “Let Them Be Little,” was inspired by those closest to him, his two children, Hannah and Eli, and his wife, Stephanie.
Outside of recording and performing, Dean makes contributions to country music by building brands with music and empowering children as a spokesperson for “Averitt Cares For Kids” and Sunkist’s “Take A Stand” program. His illustrious career was recently recognized with a proclamation from the State of Tennessee House of Representatives.
Dean’s performance in Bluefield on November 3 is part of the Blue Mountain Performing Arts Series. Blue Mountain members will be admitted for free to the show with a membership ID. General public tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students.
The Dean concert is also a part of Bluefield College’s “A Celebration of Appalachia.” Designed to celebrate the history, culture, people and traditions of Appalachia, events in the yearlong symposium — including lectures, concerts, exhibits, discussions, movies, theatre, field trips, and other educational and entertaining activities — are open to the campus community and community at-large.
“From the people, the work ethic, the loyalties and the challenges, to the natural beauty, the traditions, the music and the food, Appalachia is a fascinating and beautiful culture,” said BC President David Olive. “Author Jeff Biggers once said, ‘you can’t understand America until you understand Appalachia.’ Our desire through this yearlong symposium is to increase the understanding and appreciation for the region in which we live. We hope everyone will join us in this educational and entertaining venture, in this celebration of Appalachia.”
Other events scheduled for this fall as part of “Celebrate Appalachia” include:
— Fall Festival, featuring hayrides, a pumpkin decorating contest, a pie eating contest, and bluegrass music, Thursday, October 27
— “The Glass Castle,” dinner, lecture, discussion and book-signing with Jeannette Walls, best-selling author of the book of the same name, an Amazon “Top 10 Book of the Decade,” Thursday, November 3, 5:30 p.m., Shott Hall, $20 admission
— “The Glass Castle,” lecture and discussion led by Jeannette Walls, best-selling author of the book of the same name, an Amazon “Top 10 Book of the Decade,” Friday, November 4, 10 a.m., Harman Chapel
— Lecture by Concord University’s Terry Mullins, Appalachian studies historian and author, Monday, November 7, 10 a.m.
— “Thugs, Hillbillies and Heroes: The Untold Story of Bluefield’s Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency,” presented by Bluefield, West Virginia, resident and author/historian John A. Velke III, author of “The True Story of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency,” Monday, November 7 at 7 p.m. in Shott Hall A&B
— Instrumental music concert, Thursday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m. in Harman Chapel
— “Opera Theatre: Scenes from Appalachia,” Friday, November 18, 7:30 p.m., Harman Chapel
— “From Seeds to Songs,” a music workshop hosted by Andrew McKnight and Beyond Borders, Saturday, November 19 at 1 p.m., Harman Chapel
— “Beyond Appalachian, Beyond Blues, Beyond Folk,” a music concert, Saturday, November 19 at 7:30 p.m., Harman Chapel
— “An Appalachian Christmas,” presented by BC’s Masterworks Chorale, Thursday, December 1, 7:30 p.m., Harman Chapel
— “Appalachian News,” an art show presented by the Bluefield Daily Telegraph’s Bill Archer, December 9-February 16, BC Art Gallery, Lansdell Hall
For more information regarding events that are part of “A Celebration of Appalachia” at Bluefield College, visit the BC web site at www.bluefield.edu or contact the Public Relations Office by email at [email protected] or by phone at 276-326-4212.