 "Photo: Courtesy of Dean Strickland")
Dean Strickland gave up everything he had to pursue a career as a country singer. Through his hard work, talent and admitted "good fortune," he has safely traversed across Texas, Tennessee and California via the rides of more than 700 generous strangers, picking up fans and bolstering a supportive publicity base as he went. This ramblin' musician released his first full-length CD, Hitchhiking Guitarman, in January and performed last Friday during SXSW.
Daily Texan: How did you go from being your average working man to ascending to the title of the "Hitchhiking Guitarman"?
Dean Strickland: After I graduated high school, I made a life for myself. Once I paid off my truck and my home and really didn't have any bills to worry about except utilities, I was still under 30 and not ready to retire or settle down. I had to ask myself what I really wanted, and I decided to go after my childhood dream to be a musician. I applied for grants to go to college at UNT [University of North Texas], and then when I decided to head to California to go to the Musicians Institute in Hollywood, I sold my truck and my home. Since I gave eight years to my musical training, I promised myself at least eight years of trying to make it work. After I graduated music college [in 2005], I went to Austin and have been hitchhiking ever since.
DT: Your early music features a rock sound and now you are singing very old-time-style country tunes, not to mention the sentiment of your song "Why Did Classic Country Music Have to Die?" What happened?
DS: When I was making music in college, the kids wanted to hear rock - they still liked Kurt Cobain. So I played rock. But I've always loved country. The first guitar riff I learned was Johnny Cash and that never left me. I grew up listening to Hank Williams with my dad, and I have always liked Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. When I was on the road and would go into radio stations, they were more interested in hearing my country side, so I've kept that up.
DT: Your latest CD, Hitchhiking Guitarman, has a few songs that can almost be considered gospel (i.e. "The Life of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ" and "The Good Lord Knows"). This is a stark contrast to some of your earlier work. Where did this new inspiration come from?
DS: Well all of the songs on Hitchhiking Guitarman were written while I was on the road. I was hitching rides from people I did not know, I was sleeping most of the time behind buildings. I didn't have any guarantees. My music changed because I did. On the road I was sacrificing everything, and I found a real comfort in prayer and wrote about it. I have received a lot of good fortune while on the road and that has made me very thankful.
DT: You have gotten quite a bit of publicity over the last year - hundreds of features in Texas newspapers and radio shows, as well as national attention. Texas Music Monthly has even dubbed you the "Woody Guthrie of this generation." How do you respond to all of this attention?
DS: Well, I do my own publicity. When I started, I would offer to do gigs for free, leave my CDs with people, approach newspaper writers and go into radio stations and make myself heard. So I appreciate and feel very blessed for all of the new attention. Exposure helps business, you know. And as far as comparisons with figures as esteemed as Woody Guthrie, I am just in awe and, of course, very flattered. But I don't really think of myself that way. I respond with thanks mostly.
DT: Have you ever had a bad experience that made you wish for your old comfortable life? How do you cope with experiences like that?
DS: Sure - it's been tough sometimes. I don't always get a positive response, and sometimes I play for a crowd that just isn't very receptive. But the good usually outweighs the bad. Respect issues are usually what frustrate me. But it's a big world and I just keep moving - every experience will make a person stronger. It would be nice to have the comforts of a steady home, but also I wouldn't be happy. As long as I can play I'll be happy.
DT: You've played all around Texas, what is your favorite Lone Star venue?
DS: The 11th Street Cowboy Bar in Bandera, the "Cowboy Capitol of the World" (in the Hill Country).
DT: Any advice for college students?
DS: You have got to be wiling to sacrifice your comfort if you have something you really believe in. Have confidence in yourself, make goals, find a positive way to cope with criticism and disrespect, and you'll be fine.
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