by Kerry Ashline
As a teenager Dean R. Ley, descendant
of Italian grandparents, picked up a guitar at age fifteen
and within a year created his first band. His father, a
classic conductor and violin virtuoso, realized his son’s
talents could benefit from “more power” and
plugged Dean in to his first electric guitar.
Having
moved to France in the early 1960’s Ley (born
Alain Salvati) began his career backing up and touring
with European vocalist Véronique Sanson. Sanson
was married to Stephen Stills, (the “S” in
mega-group CSN) from 1973-1979. His relationship
with Sanson opened the door to writing, producing
and arranging music in America. He spent two years
living with Stills and Sanson in Boulder, Colorado.
Dean and Veronique continued concert tours world-wide
and eventually hooked up with Stills in Golden Beach,
Florida. Their address? 461 Ocean Boulevard. Sound
familiar? Yes, it is THAT 461 Ocean Boulevard, the same as Eric Clapton’s
1974 album. The beach front house was a popular celebrity rental, being in close
proximity to Criteria Studios, where Stills, with his band Manassas recorded
their first album, a double “LP” of the same name. For those of you
who don’t know what an “album” and
“LP” are well, just Google them. Ley ended
up playing keyboards on a few tracks as an unaccredited
guest musician for Manassas’ 1973 album “Down
The Road”.
Not long after the release of “Down The Road”
Dean went back to Paris for more touring and recording
sessions, and in 1980 moved to south Florida for good.
Ley knew after landing in America for the first time that “It
is the country I want to live in forever. I want to become
part of the great array of musicians here”.
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Dean started working as a keyboardist and guitar player
at Criteria Recording Studios doing sessions for a host
of famous artists. Having worked as studio musician, writer
and co-producer with the likes of the Albert Brothers:
Ron and Howard, Victor Willis of the Village People, Tom
Chapin, singer songwriter and brother of the late Harry
Chapin, the group Firefall (“You Are The Woman”, “Just
Remember I Love You”) among others.
In 1986 Ley wrote the movie score for “Master Blaster”.
He also got his American citizenship that year in Miami.
His girlfriend and soon-to-be wife Dorene was by his side.
“I do believe that the day I became an American citizen
I was so proud and felt so good to be part of what I consider
the number one country in the entire world.” said
Dean.
Ley has written television and radio spots for companies
such as Sea Escape Cruises, McDonalds, Delta Airlines,
Ocean Cadillac, and WPBT Channel 2. His latest CD single
release
“Due Time” was created by Dean after watching
the late news on television. “I saw a television segment
on how hard it was for most of us in America to keep a job
and make a decent living, but also living in fear of what
tomorrow will bring... or not bring. That is not the American
way!” he explained. “So I decided to write a
song called ‘Due Time’ to make a strong statement
about my feelings and those of all my American brothers
and sisters.”
momentum started to build
After the release of “Due Time”
the momentum started to build. Dean and his wife Dorene
discussed Dean forming a band and writing more material.
That idea became the album now currently in the recording
studio entitled “Justice For All”.
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So
far Dean has written twenty two new songs, of which
about Eleven will make the final cut on “Justice
For All”
said Ley. I had the pleasure of sampling the CD “Due
Time” and Leys’ gritty voice is a mix of Springsteen,
Cocker and Southside Johnny all combined with a country-rock-soul
blend. Dean’s company, CVS Records, Productions and
Publishing will produce the Album CD.
Dean is also one charitable man. Thankful for the opportunities
America has blessed him with, he performs charity events
for groups like “The Wounded Warrior
Project”. One song on the “Justice For All” album “Soldiers
of the USA” is dedicated to all our armed forces. Ley also supports the
Wings of Gold Motorcycle Club, the largest motorcycle club in Florida. “I
love these guys.” says Dean. “They believe in doing good and giving
back to the community. They constantly do events for their causes and charities
such as the Joe DiMaggio’s Children’s Hospital and Saint Anne’s
Mission, just to name a few.” Dean said he will do events and venues for
the Toy Run organized by Wings of Gold MC anytime he is asked to. “It will
be my pleasure and honor to help serve these great causes.” adds Dean.
Team Dean R. Ley is now working on the local Promo "Justice For All" Tour
starting mid February and March and then on a National Tour is in the works for
Summer 2014.
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Dean met his wife
D Ann nearly 27 years ago and they have been married 25
years this past July. Dorene is Vice President of CVS Records,
Productions and Publishing and executive producer with Dean.
She believes in Dean’s upcoming success and says that
Dean’s project “Justice For All” will
work because “It is all about America’s way
of living, our lives here and the feelings of every American
citizen who believes we must fight for a greater America”.
She added, "Music is Dean life and it's way to connect
and give back to the American People and His Country, The
United States of America".
Dean will continue this mission statement through his lyrics
and music. While the couple is living the American dream
through their production company, through their real estate
partnership they are also providing the American dream for
potential homeowners.
You can see Dean’s videos on YouTube at: http://www.youtube.com/user/alainsalvati
. There you can click on the “Burning Candles”
video, which was inspired by the 9/11 events. His CD single
“Due Time” is out and the new single CD “Love
is Blind” is out now as well.
Ley's next Single CD entitled "Riding and Rolling"
will be out mid Mach 2014. These songs can be heard on the
Album CD "Justice For All", available now on CD
Baby, iTunes and Amazon.com
Dean sums it up this way: “We are always gonna be
a country on a roll as long as we have Liberty and Justice
for All.”
We had a chance to speak with Dean and
ask him our usual questions so..... Here's a little Q&A
that to give you a bit more
Tell us a
little about what brought you to where you are today How
you got started, influences etc.
Started at the age of 18, influences: My Dad (Opera Conductor),
Jimi Hendrix, Keith Richards, Kinks, Stones
What are you and your band doing currently
Preparing The new album "Justice For All" Promo
Tour locally and nationally.
Tell us about your songwriting/recording process and what
we can expect on your latest tunes
Songwriter, Recording Producer, Worked at Criteria Recording
Studios, Studio Center, Crescent Moon, Spectrum Studios
etc.. Lots of good time listening the new tunes
What can we expect to see from you in the future Big Project
coming up with a real meaning that will touch the heart
of each and every American and People around the world..
Stay Tuned.
Tell us a few things about yourself that may surprise us
Had the chance and honor to work and play with Steven Stills,
Keith Moon, Jon Anderson and a few more:)
What music are you enjoying currently
My Own...Lots of Fun Realizing my Dream
If you could go back in time what would you do differently
in your career
Nothing Different, It's all been good, I am blessed, lucky
and grateful
If you could play with any musician in history who would
it be
Jimi Hendrix
Where do you see your career going in the next five
years
Where ever GOD has planned for me
Other than being an artist what did you think about
doing as a career when you were a child
An American Cowboy taking care of Horses in Texas:)
What has been your best experience
in the business And Why
Too many to name.. Ok one, Being on the same stage with
Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young in 1974 at Wembley Stadium..
What has been your worst experience in the business And
Why
Loosing one of my best Buddy and Brother, Musician and Drummer
of one of my Band
What is it you love about what you do
Freedom of Expression through Music, Sounds and Motion
What is it you hate about what you do
Nothing
If you could make a major change in the business….
What would you like to see
I cannot, just making my own self adjustments when needed
What would you like to be your contribution to music biz
Bring Happiness, Emotions and Comfort to my audiences
How do you feel the Internet has changed the business Positive
and Negative
Got to be positive Always, no matter the outcome of Internet
things or others
Where do you see business and music moving to
Hopefully for the better
How can the business side and artists better work together
If You are the Artist, Stay the Artist and let the business
side of it to the Professional Biz People you can trust
with your name and carrier... One cannot do both, period
Dean R. Ley: A Man Rocking for America
http://www.deanrley.com
http://www.facebook.com/DeanRLey
