In person, Billy the Kid really is like a big kid. He has that way of moving hearts and souls with his music and personal insights. Totally Billy, he stands alone on the stage, surrounded by musical equipment and a house filled with people who are all in awe of his musical talent. Without a band... just Billy and his guitar create a live concert that makes everyone in attendance feel fully alive and more than happy to be there. His heart flows through his music and I was probably at my worst in serving simply because I was feeling at my best every time Billy opened his mouth to sing another song. Today, following a night of Billy Dean, I’m still feeling the aftereffects of the intense atmosphere created by this purely country singer.

After shooting worshipful glimpses across the restaurant all night long, laughing at the other servers who were laughing at my newest “obsession” with Billy Dean and feeling more than a little like I was in a position I definitely enjoyed being in, a few of the younger servers persuaded me to go up and talk to Billy... “You’ll never get over your obsession if you don’t...” they were laughing at my frenzied passion and the sparkles that cast away any doubt about how Billy Dean was making me feel and I finally took their advice and did the unthinkable. He put his arms around me and I knew I was so right about him.

“I can’t believe this...” the whisper was to him and he grinned, “ahhh... so sweet.” He said I was sweet and he held on to me (I might have fallen... or did I?) as another lady snapped our picture. Billy signed the menu I held... “To Gina... All Love, Billy Dean!!!” I merely admired his handwriting and thought that I would be thinking of this moment for a long, long time. I’m so grateful to that last server who told me I had to go up and talk to him. She is on my list of very BEST friends this morning.

Besides the fact that Billy Dean can look into the eyes of a woman and cause her to melt, he is more than capable of turning the heart around with his personality and personal ideas about life, love and the pursuit of happiness. For Billy, he says, life isn’t about making the big bucks. He prefers, much to my delight, simplicity and sincerity, real serenity, above the fast life and times of Hollywood, Nashville and country music’s Hall of Fame. Billy really is a country boy, heart and soul, and one country boy anyone would love to know.

A few of the characteristics capable of setting Billy Dean apart from the average country singer include, but could never be limited to, his good looks, his idealistic approach to family and child rearing, his intense passion for country and the way that passion comes through his vocal cords, his ability to make even a forty year old waitress feel like a queen with his smile and so much more. At The Lodge Steak & Ribs, the majority of the servers are college age girls who don’t know nearly as much about country music as this forty year old country music fan. Since even the younger servers were in tune to the pure heart of country music as this singer took his place on the stage, this clarifies the fact that Billy, with his talent, have a way with people that most musicians can’t lay claim to.

And, what did Billy sing on Thursday Night at The Lodge? Let Them Be Little, Billy the Kid, We Just Disagree, Rocky Top, I’ll Fly Away... and so many more. Billy was on stage between 8 p.m. and 9:30 p.m., signing autographs and taking photos for at least an hour after his performance. In person, Billy Dean is someone that refuses to be ignored. He easily stands a head above most everyone in a crowd and with his good looks to identify him, there is almost no way this man could be passed by in a auditorium filled with thousands. He truly is a special man with special talent and a special way of presenting himself.

Since Billy Dean was a guest at The Lodge Steak & Ribs two years in the running (2005 and 2006 opening dates @ The Lodge Steak & Rib), we’ll hope that he will be back in 2007 for another night spent spicing up the menu at The Lodge and the mountain life on Wolf Laurel. If I had not been serving at The Lodge Steak & Rib on Thursday Night, June 8th 2006, I would have happily paid the entrance fee and even more for the opportunity to share in this furiously fun evening.

For those who are interested in Billy Dean’s touring schedule, visit www.billydean.com. For those who might like spending a night @ The Lodge Steak & Rib where every night includes a performance from the Mars Hill College clogging team and the very best in fine dining, I would recommend calling 888-689-1928 for future reservations.

The Lodge Steak & Rib @ Wolf Laurel: www.mountainflavor.com Open Dates:

Thursdays 5-9 pm
Fridays 5-9:30 pm
Saturdays 4-9:30 pm

The Lodge Steak & Rib restaurant provides a unique and delicious dinner included with mountain music, clogging, a million dollar view and the opportunity to take the ski lift around the community. The menu is indecently scrumptious and the side items of entertainment are obviously intent on raising the human spirit to new levels of delight. I don't believe anyone will be at all disappointed in visiting this mountain top setting for a night of fine dining and mountain delights in musical talent, sunsets and views of these blue ridges.

The Lodge Steak & Ribs is a business member of NCMAMA – North Carolina Mountain Acoustic Music Association - www.ncmama.org With live bluegrass every weekend during our season – March through November – we proudly support NCMAMA and the musicians of our region who play the music of our beloved mountains.

Billy Dean is totally awesome!!!

It may sound trite in speaking, but it’s absolutely true. Billy Dean really is one totally awesome country singer. His talent isn’t merely projected through his naturally tuned voice, his hands easy movement across the guitar strings nor even those adorable dimples he wears so well. His entire persona is overwhelmingly attractive, not only to the females he impresses so easily, but to everyone who happens into his direction. Billy Dean truly is ALL THAT and MORE. I’m still having to pinch myself when I think of his hands around my waist as he’s telling me that I’m sweet. Now the word sweet is certainly one definitive adjective I might use in my description of Billy, but I can think of oh, so, so many more. Words like phenomenal, amazing and delightful are only a few that come to mind when I think of those easy to fall into green eyes. WOW!!!

That is a really crazy question here - It was ALL GOOD!!! as Kidd Rock would say!!!

Dance Forever... through the night and into the dawn's early light.

AWESOME!!! As did the singer himself.

Bio taken from www.billydean.com:

Billy Dean's journey runs against the currents that flow through his business -- yet it's brought him closer than most artists ever get to the heart of country music. Throughout his Curb debut, Let Them Be Little, he displays a humanity, tender and tough, that comes not from the spotlight's glare but from the trials of parenthood, the struggle to find a foothold in fast-changing times, and the light of love in his son's and daughter's eyes.

The story unfolds in the music: The dark side stands exposed in "I'll Race You to the Bottom," which slashes the veil and exposes the hidden, cynical face of fame. In this context, his exuberant cover of "Thank God I'm a Country Boy" takes on new meaning as a celebration of an innocence that had been nearly lost. On each track Billy sings with an appreciation for all that life has to offer, from the magic of childhood on "Let Them Be Little" to the awestruck eloquence of "I'm in Love With You," his passionate affirmation of what it means to touch and be touched, spiritually and physically.

Bottom line, Let Them Be Little is about a star that chose to come down from the sky and take every day at a time. It is, in other words, about redemption -- and a return to the soul of country music.

The proof is in Let Them Be Little: Billy Dean is back -- and he's got it right.


Given Name: William Harold Dean
Date of Birth: April 2, 1962
Hometown: Quincy, Florida
Height: 6'4"
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Green
Education: East Central Junior College, Decatur, Mississippi
Billy attended college on a basketball scholarship where he majored in Physical Education before leaving after one semester to pursue his dream.
Marital Status: Married to Stephanie

The man, the music, the miracle of pure talent - is always worthwhile.

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Created Jun 11, 2006 at 4:29pm • Submit your own review...