Wednesday, October 9, was a night for country superstars to come together and celebrate the legacy of songwriter Dean Dillon.
Held at the Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama, the tribute concert, The Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon, featured over 30 country artists performing some of Dillon’s most beloved songs from his long career. Artists like George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Vince Gill, and Riley Green joined in to celebrate Dillon’s incredible contributions to country music.
Dean Dillon is a three-time Grammy nominee and has written over two dozen No. 1 singles. He has achieved a lot in country music, creating some of the most famous songs in the genre. Some highlights include David Allan Coe’s 1981 hit “Tennessee Whiskey,” which was later re-recorded by Chris Stapleton, and “A Little Too Late,” which he wrote for Toby Keith.
However, he is best known for his long-time partnership with George Strait, writing many hits for the country star. Some of the classics include “Unwound,” “The Chair,” and many others.
In 2002, Dean Dillon was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. He received another honor when he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame 18 years later, in 2020.
Riley Green took the stage during the tribute concert for Dean Dillon and performed a rendition of “Ocean Front Property.”
During the show, Riley Green performed “Ocean Front Property,” one of the many hits that Dean Dillon wrote for George Strait.
Released in December 1986 as the first single and title track from George Strait’s album of the same name, “Ocean Front Property” steadily climbed the charts for four months, eventually reaching number one on April 4, 1987. The song’s success extended beyond the United States, also reaching the top of the charts in Canada.
The tribute concert, The Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon, was filmed for national broadcast. The premiere date will be announced at a later time.
Watch Riley Green perform “Ocean Front Property” in the video below.