released in 2013 on a whim-thinking “what the heck”? I have all these new songs, and maybe these judges will like one of them?
But getting that many nominations, and that kind of real support and recognition for my music, well, that was only surpassed by getting to meet and know all of these other great indie artists from around the world- (struggling!) artists who were a lot like me. It was truly a watershed moment for my songwriting, and it was a life-changing and pivotal moment for me and my music career.”
Growing up near Houston, she hails from a long line of actors, storytellers and musicians on her father's Welsh side. She is one of seven musical children from an exceptionally creative family. DeDe herself is a classically-trained singer, pianist and flutist. While she had pursued music on a part-time basis in her 20’s and early 30’s after a career in marketing, she came to realize that music was coming back into her life. Only about 7 years ago, DeDe started singing songs around the house that she’d never heard before, and started having dreams about music. It was at that moment she realized that her true calling was to pursue a more active role as a songwriter and musician. She decided to hone her theory, performing and songwriting by returning to college for additional musical training. With the support of husband, Larry, she began to pursue music again full-time.
DeDe tells stories through her music: her original songs are about her feelings, her life, her personal thoughts, joys, losses, hopes, dreams and experiences. She feels that she has a calling from God: a gift for relating her music & melodies to what we all are experiencing in our real lives. “At first it was really scary for me to step out on a limb and try to start a new career in a field where I’m definitely not an expert. But I'm not afraid anymore," says DeDe. "Not afraid to say the things that I feel need to be said, and to take a chance with my music. I've found my joy, my purpose, and my peace."
Her latest album, Dream of You, is unique in that it tells the story of the emotions, struggles, triumphs and the journey that is DeDe’s life. However, it’s not a blow-by-blow recounting of each and every major life event, but rather a playbook of dreams, hopes, and feelings, both positive and negative. Its full of thought-provoking lyrics: observations about the changes she’s been through, and all the emotions and relationships along the way that defined the life-shaping moments in her life.
Each song is autobiographical and details actual feelings and thoughts she had about events and experiences: songs about her dreams, hopes, disappointments and relationships that are all a part of what has made her who she is.
Every listener will be able to relate to DeDe’s dynamic and word-picture filled lyrics, since her songs tell the story of events that happen to us all. Songs that encompass the dreams of youth (Dream of You), the wild times and struggles of growing up & looking for love, such as we find in her 80’s Bon-Jovi like rock tribute: Leaning on Heaven. We relate to her searches for acceptance and meaning in life via Prime of Life, and the rush of sexual
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