Country Hitmaker Billy Dean Set for Induction into Florida Artists Hall of Fame

Country music hitmaker Billy Dean will be inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame on Thursday, February 23. Dean, a Florida native, will enter this year's class along with former Eagles member Don Felder, comedy songwriter and performer Jim Stafford, and poet-anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins.

"I have a deep and eternal love for my home state of Florida and all her beauty and majesty," says Dean. "I'm proud of my southern roots. Floridians are as diverse as the nature that surrounds her, and what an honor it will be to hang in the halls of her great capitol, next to some of my heros like Tom Petty and Don Felder, only a few short blocks from where my mom lives today. Thanks to all my friends for this great honor."

Established by the Florida Legislature in 1986, the Florida Artists Hall of Fame recognizes persons, living or deceased, who have made significant contributions to the arts in Florida either as performing or practicing artists in individual disciplines.

The Florida Artists Hall of Fame Wall is located on the Plaza Level in the rotunda of the Capitol building in Tallahassee. Inductees receive a commemorative bronze sculpture commissioned by the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.

The induction ceremony takes place at the Thomas Center for the Arts in Gainesville, FL. The event starts at 5:30 pm. The event is free and open to the public.

About Billy Dean

In his music career spanning more than 25 years, Dean has claimed eleven top ten Billboard country singles, including five #1 hits: "I Miss Billy The Kid," "Somewhere In My Broken Heart," "If There Hadn't Been You," "You Don't Count The Cost" and "It's What I Do." Dean recorded eight major label studio albums, three of which have been certified gold by the RIAA, as well as a greatest hits album which is also certified gold.

Earlier in his career, the Academy of Country Music named Dean Top New Male Vocalist and also awarded him Song of the Year for "Somewhere In My Broken Heart." In 2000, Dean sang harmony vocals alongside Alison Krauss on Kenny Rogers' rendition of "Buy Me A Rose," which earned aGRAMMY®. In addition to his successful recording career, Dean has also acted in several movies and appeared in numerous television shows

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