Dusty Drake
Encyclopedia
Dean Buffalini is an American country music
artist, known professionally as Dusty Drake. Drake played various venues in his native Pennsylvania for several years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee
, co-writing a 1996 single for Joe Diffie
. By 2003, Drake was signed to Warner Bros. Records
as a recording artist. That year, he released three singles from his self-titled debut album, including "One Last Time", his first Top 40 entry on the Hot Country Songs
charts. Drake released a fourth single for the label before exiting in 2004.
In 2007, he signed to the independent Big Machine Records
label, charting with the single "Say Yes", co-written by Brett James
, Don Schlitz
and Josh Turner
. An album for Big Machine was originally slated to be released in 2007 but was never issued, and after showing the same level of commitment his former label showed, Drake exited the label's roster in 2008. Overall, Drake has charted six times on the Billboard
country charts. Two of his singles have reached Top 40: "One Last Time" at #26, and "Say Yes" at #36.
on February 23, 1965 as the middle child of seven children. He gained an early interest in music from his father and grandfather, both of whom enjoyed listening to country and bluegrass music
.
While in high school, he sang lead and played drums in local bands. After graduating high school, Buffalini studied to be an air traffic controller
. He held that position for four years at a regional airport. At the same time, he pursued his career in country music, eventually fronting a band called Silverado in addition to performing solo. Signed as an opening act for Garth Brooks
at a venue in Salem, Ohio
, Buffalini was mistakenly identified as "Dusty" by a concert promoter, and as a result, he began to use Dusty as his stage name.
in 1993 in search of a record deal. Shortly afterward, he changed his stage name to Dusty Drake, because he was told by a manger that "there were Deans coming out the wazoo" (such as Billy Dean
, Dean Miller
, Stacy Dean Campbell
, and Dean Dillon
). Drake then found work as a demo singer and songwriter. His first cut as a songwriter was "C-O-U-N-T-R-Y", a single for Joe Diffie
in 1996 from the album Life's So Funny
. Other artists who recorded Drake's songs included Janie Fricke
, Ricochet
, The Oak Ridge Boys
and Mark Chesnutt
.
In 2002, Drake was signed to Warner Bros. Records
as a recording artist. His first single, "And Then", peaked at #57 on the Billboard
country music charts. Following this song was "One Last Time". Inspired by the crash of United Airlines Flight 93
, the song became his first Top 40 country hit, peaking at #26. Both songs were included on his debut album (also titled Dusty Drake
), which was released in mid-2003.
After the release of his album, Drake went on to become an opening act for Kenny Chesney
and Brooks & Dunn
, as well as performing on the Grand Ole Opry
. His album's third single, "Smaller Pieces", reached a peak of #50. By 2004, a fourth single entitled "I Am the Working Man" was released, which went on to peak at #43. None of these singles were actively promoted by the label. No music videos were made for any single. This song was not included on an album, and Drake was dropped from Warner Bros.' roster after its release.
Drake signed to Big Machine Records
in 2007. His first single for the label, "Say Yes" (co-written by MCA Nashville artist Josh Turner
along with Brett James
and Don Schlitz
), became his second Top 40 country hit, peaking at #36. Drake's first album for Big Machine, tentatively titled Dusty Drake at a Honky-Tonk Near You, was originally slated for release in June 2007. The album was not released. Drake exited the label shortly after. In January 2009, Drake released another single independently, called "The 12th Man", and landed it in the top 50 Country Billboard Chart with no outside promotion.
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
artist, known professionally as Dusty Drake. Drake played various venues in his native Pennsylvania for several years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
, co-writing a 1996 single for Joe Diffie
Joe Diffie
Joe Logan Diffie is an American country music singer known for his ballads and novelty songs. Between 1990 and 2004, Diffie charted 35 cuts on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including five number one singles: his debut release "Home", "If the Devil Danced ", "Third Rock from the Sun",...
. By 2003, Drake was signed to Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
as a recording artist. That year, he released three singles from his self-titled debut album, including "One Last Time", his first Top 40 entry on the Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs
Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales...
charts. Drake released a fourth single for the label before exiting in 2004.
In 2007, he signed to the independent Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records is an Independent American record label specializing in country music artists. It was launched in 2005 by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta. The label was part of a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith, although Keith dropped his...
label, charting with the single "Say Yes", co-written by Brett James
Brett James
Brett James Cornelius is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Signed to Career Records as a solo artist in 1995, James charted three singles and released a self-titled debut album that year...
, Don Schlitz
Don Schlitz
Donald Alan "Don" Schlitz, Jr. is a country music songwriter. For his songwriting efforts, Schlitz has earned two Grammys, as well as four ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards...
and Josh Turner
Josh Turner
Joshua Otis "Josh" Turner is a country music singer and actor signed to MCA Nashville Records in 2003, Turner has released four studio albums for the label. The first of these was 2003's Long Black Train, whose title track was his breakthrough single release...
. An album for Big Machine was originally slated to be released in 2007 but was never issued, and after showing the same level of commitment his former label showed, Drake exited the label's roster in 2008. Overall, Drake has charted six times on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country charts. Two of his singles have reached Top 40: "One Last Time" at #26, and "Say Yes" at #36.
Biography
Dean Buffalini was born in Monaca, PennsylvaniaMonaca, Pennsylvania
Monaca is a borough in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, United States along the Ohio River, northwest of Pittsburgh. Monaca was first incorporated as Phillipsburg in 1840, and had been known by that name since the 1820s. In 1892, the name of the borough was changed to Monaca in honor of the Native...
on February 23, 1965 as the middle child of seven children. He gained an early interest in music from his father and grandfather, both of whom enjoyed listening to country and bluegrass music
Bluegrass music
Bluegrass music is a form of American roots music, and a sub-genre of country music. It has mixed roots in Scottish, English, Welsh and Irish traditional music...
.
While in high school, he sang lead and played drums in local bands. After graduating high school, Buffalini studied to be an air traffic controller
Air traffic controller
Air traffic controllers are the people who expedite and maintain a safe and orderly flow of air traffic in the global air traffic control system. The position of the air traffic controller is one that requires highly specialized skills...
. He held that position for four years at a regional airport. At the same time, he pursued his career in country music, eventually fronting a band called Silverado in addition to performing solo. Signed as an opening act for Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks
Troyal Garth Brooks , best known as Garth Brooks, is an American country music artist who helped make country music a worldwide phenomenon. His eponymous first album was released in 1989 and peaked at number 2 in the US country album chart while climbing to number 13 on the Billboard 200 album chart...
at a venue in Salem, Ohio
Salem, Ohio
Salem is a city in northern Columbiana County and extreme southern Mahoning County, Ohio, United States. At the 2000 census, the city's population was 12,197....
, Buffalini was mistakenly identified as "Dusty" by a concert promoter, and as a result, he began to use Dusty as his stage name.
Musical career
He moved to Nashville, TennesseeNashville, Tennessee
Nashville is the capital of the U.S. state of Tennessee and the county seat of Davidson County. It is located on the Cumberland River in Davidson County, in the north-central part of the state. The city is a center for the health care, publishing, banking and transportation industries, and is home...
in 1993 in search of a record deal. Shortly afterward, he changed his stage name to Dusty Drake, because he was told by a manger that "there were Deans coming out the wazoo" (such as Billy Dean
Billy Dean
William Harold "Billy" Dean, Jr. is an American country music singer and songwriter. Billy Dean first gained national attention after appearing on the television talent competition Star Search...
, Dean Miller
Dean Miller
Roger Dean Miller, Jr. is an American country music artist, known professionally as Dean Miller. He is the son of Roger Miller, a country pop artist who had several hit singles between the 1960s and 1980s...
, Stacy Dean Campbell
Stacy Dean Campbell
Stacy Dean Campbell is an American country singer-songwriter, author and TV host.Campbell's father was a gospel singer, though he was raised by his grandparents. Campbell moved to Nashville after his brother, Spencer, launched a professional career there. He became a songwriter for Tree Music, and...
, and Dean Dillon
Dean Dillon
Dean Dillon is an American country music artist. Between 1982 and 1993, Dillon recorded six studio albums on various labels, and charted several singles on the Billboard country charts. Although he has not charted since 1993, Dillon has continued to write several hit songs for other artists, most...
). Drake then found work as a demo singer and songwriter. His first cut as a songwriter was "C-O-U-N-T-R-Y", a single for Joe Diffie
Joe Diffie
Joe Logan Diffie is an American country music singer known for his ballads and novelty songs. Between 1990 and 2004, Diffie charted 35 cuts on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including five number one singles: his debut release "Home", "If the Devil Danced ", "Third Rock from the Sun",...
in 1996 from the album Life's So Funny
Life's So Funny
Life's So Funny is the fifth main studio album released by American country music artist Joe Diffie. It contains the single "Bigger Than the Beatles", Diffie's last Number One single on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks charts. Following this single were, in order: "C-O-U-N-T-R-Y", "Down...
. Other artists who recorded Drake's songs included Janie Fricke
Janie Fricke
Janie Fricke is an American country music singer, best remembered for a series of country music hits in the early to mid 1980s....
, Ricochet
Ricochet (band)
Ricochet is an American country music band from Oklahoma. The band was founded in 1993 by brothers Jeff Bryant and Junior Bryant , along with Heath Wright , Greg Cook , Teddy Carr , and Eddie Kilgallon ,After several years of...
, The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys
The Oak Ridge Boys are an American country and gospel vocal quartet.The group was founded in the 1940s as the Oak Ridge Quartet. They became popular in southern gospel during the 1950s...
and Mark Chesnutt
Mark Chesnutt
Mark Nelson Chesnutt is an American country music singer. Chesnutt recorded and released his first album, Doing My Country Thing, in the late-1980s on private independent record label, Axbar Records, with the vinyl album version now a collector's item...
.
In 2002, Drake was signed to Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records
Warner Bros. Records Inc. is an American record label. It was the foundation label of the present-day Warner Music Group, and now operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of that corporation. It maintains a close relationship with its former parent, Warner Bros. Pictures, although the two companies...
as a recording artist. His first single, "And Then", peaked at #57 on the Billboard
Billboard (magazine)
Billboard is a weekly American magazine devoted to the music industry, and is one of the oldest trade magazines in the world. It maintains several internationally recognized music charts that track the most popular songs and albums in various categories on a weekly basis...
country music charts. Following this song was "One Last Time". Inspired by the crash of United Airlines Flight 93
United Airlines Flight 93
United Airlines Flight 93 was United Airlines' scheduled morning transcontinental flight across the United States from Newark International Airport in Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco International Airport in California. On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the Boeing 757–222 aircraft operating the...
, the song became his first Top 40 country hit, peaking at #26. Both songs were included on his debut album (also titled Dusty Drake
Dusty Drake (album)
Dusty Drake is the self-titled debut album of American country music artist Dusty Drake. Released in 2003 , it is also his only studio album to be released. The tracks "And Then", "One Last Time", and "Smaller Pieces" were all released as singles, peaking at #57, #26, and #50, respectively, on the...
), which was released in mid-2003.
After the release of his album, Drake went on to become an opening act for Kenny Chesney
Kenny Chesney
Kenneth "Kenny" Arnold Chesney is an American country music singer and songwriter. Chesney has recorded 15 albums, 14 of which have been certified gold or higher by the RIAA. He has also produced more than 30 Top Ten singles on the U.S...
and Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn
Brooks & Dunn was an American country music duo consisting of Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn, who were both vocalists and songwriters. They were paired by record producer Tim DuBois in 1990. Before the duo's foundation, both members of the duo were solo recording artists...
, as well as performing on the Grand Ole Opry
Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is a weekly country music stage concert in Nashville, Tennessee, that has presented the biggest stars of that genre since 1925. It is also among the longest-running broadcasts in history since its beginnings as a one-hour radio "barn dance" on WSM-AM...
. His album's third single, "Smaller Pieces", reached a peak of #50. By 2004, a fourth single entitled "I Am the Working Man" was released, which went on to peak at #43. None of these singles were actively promoted by the label. No music videos were made for any single. This song was not included on an album, and Drake was dropped from Warner Bros.' roster after its release.
Drake signed to Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records
Big Machine Records is an Independent American record label specializing in country music artists. It was launched in 2005 by former DreamWorks Records executive Scott Borchetta. The label was part of a joint venture between Borchetta and country singer Toby Keith, although Keith dropped his...
in 2007. His first single for the label, "Say Yes" (co-written by MCA Nashville artist Josh Turner
Josh Turner
Joshua Otis "Josh" Turner is a country music singer and actor signed to MCA Nashville Records in 2003, Turner has released four studio albums for the label. The first of these was 2003's Long Black Train, whose title track was his breakthrough single release...
along with Brett James
Brett James
Brett James Cornelius is an American singer, songwriter and record producer. Signed to Career Records as a solo artist in 1995, James charted three singles and released a self-titled debut album that year...
and Don Schlitz
Don Schlitz
Donald Alan "Don" Schlitz, Jr. is a country music songwriter. For his songwriting efforts, Schlitz has earned two Grammys, as well as four ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year awards...
), became his second Top 40 country hit, peaking at #36. Drake's first album for Big Machine, tentatively titled Dusty Drake at a Honky-Tonk Near You, was originally slated for release in June 2007. The album was not released. Drake exited the label shortly after. In January 2009, Drake released another single independently, called "The 12th Man", and landed it in the top 50 Country Billboard Chart with no outside promotion.
Studio albums
| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country |
US Heat Top Heatseekers Top Heatseekers refers to either of two separate "Breaking and Entering" music charts issued weekly by Billboard Magazine: the Heatseekers Albums chart or the Heatseekers Songs chart. They were introduced by Billboard in 1993 with the purpose of highlighting the sales by new and developing musical... |
||
| Dusty Drake Dusty Drake (album) Dusty Drake is the self-titled debut album of American country music artist Dusty Drake. Released in 2003 , it is also his only studio album to be released. The tracks "And Then", "One Last Time", and "Smaller Pieces" were all released as singles, peaking at #57, #26, and #50, respectively, on the... |
|
30 | 22 |
Singles
| Year | Single | Peak positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| US Country Hot Country Songs Hot Country Songs is a chart published weekly by Billboard magazine in the United States.This 60-position chart lists the most popular country music songs, calculated weekly mostly by airplay and occasionally commercial sales... |
|||
| 2002 | "And Then" | 57 | Dusty Drake |
| 2003 | "One Last Time" | 26 | |
| "Smaller Pieces" | 50 | ||
| 2004 | "I Am the Working Man" | 43 | single only |
| 2007 | "Say Yes" | 36 | Dusty Drake at a Honky-Tonk Near You (unreleased) |
| 2009 | "The 12th Man" | 58 | single only |