One of the hottest new artists on the scene right now is Zach Top, so it absolutely made sense to have him at the Dean Dillon tribute.
Dean Dillon is a legendary country music songwriter best known for his long-standing collaboration with George Strait. Born on March 26, 1955, in Lake City, Tennessee, Dillon’s influence on country music is immense. His distinctive songwriting style blends traditional honky-tonk with heartfelt, relatable storytelling.
Dillon moved to Nashville in the early 1970s with dreams of making it big in the music industry. He first gained attention with his own recordings, but it was his songwriting that truly set him apart. His breakthrough came in the early 1980s when George Strait recorded “Unwound,” a song Dillon co-wrote, marking the beginning of a fruitful partnership. Over the years, Dillon wrote or co-wrote over 50 songs for Strait, including classics like “The Chair,” “Marina del Rey,” and “Ocean Front Property.”
Beyond his work with Strait, Dillon has penned hits for other top country artists, including Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, and Brooks & Dunn. His songs are known for their vivid imagery, emotional depth, and ability to capture the essence of heartache, love, and life in small-town America.
In recognition of his contributions to country music, Dillon was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2002 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2020. His influence on the genre continues to be felt as newer artists draw inspiration from his timeless songs.
Dillon’s legacy as a songwriter remains unmatched. He has shaped the sound of modern country music while staying true to its traditional roots. His storytelling ability and knack for crafting unforgettable melodies have solidified him as one of the most respected figures in country music history.
Since Dean continues to influence new and established artists alike, Zach Top shined at this tribute. Not only with Riley Green and Justin Moore on “Leave Them Boys Alone”
@thetraveladdict.com Riley Green, Zach Top and Justin Moore cover “Leave Them Boys Alone” – a classic Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams Jr., and Waylon Jennings song at Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon in Huntsville Alabama. @Zach Top @Riley Green @Justin Moore #deandillon #zachtop #country #countrymusic #deandillontribute #songwriter #songwritersoftiktok #songwriters #alabama #huntsvillealabama #huntsville #coversong #countrycover #countrycovers #coversongsontiktok #rileygreen #rileyduckman #justinmoore #leavethembroadwaygirlsalone #ernesttubb @officialhankwilliams #hankwilliamsjr #waylonjennings
but also covering Keith Whitley
@thetraveladdict.com Zach Top covers “Miami, My Amy” – a classic Keith Whitley song at Songs and Stories of Dean Dillon in Huntsville Alabama. @Zach Top #deandillon #zachtop #country #countrymusic #deandillontribute #songwriter #songwritersoftiktok #songwriters #alabama #huntsvillealabama #huntsville #coversong #countrycover #countrycovers #coversongsontiktok #miami #miamimyamy
