Author

About the Author
DEAN OLSON is a songwriter, radio host and producer of two acclaimed interview series: "StrongWriter On the Radio" and "Dean Olson Hollywood Interview" "StrongWriter" is a conversational long form music interview program - now a podcast with selected episodes streaming on iHeart Radio. Occasional, Dean cleanses the listeners palette with shows featuring actors, authors and entertainers in his "Hollywood Interview" series. One element ties the two series together: The triad of faith, hope & encouragement. Dean is based out of Orange County in Southern California.

English Teacher’s Role Helps Prisoners Find Their Voice Through Songwriting

March 6, 2013 Dean Olson Uncategorized

            English teacher and musician Evan Davies has combined his passion for music with his occupation by taking on the role of a songwriting mentor for prisoners A Taranaki teacher with a passion for music is helping prisoners find their voice through songwriting. In a Maori Television documentary New Plymouth…

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Farce the Music: John Rich’s Songwriting Tips #65

March 6, 2013 Dean Olson StrongWriting - Tips For Songwriters

John Rich’s Songwriting Tips #65. I’ve already told you before that me and my boy Big Kenny were the originators and the innovators of hick-hop along with our big black cowboy compadre, Mr. Cowboy Troy. What you may …

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Songs Contain Spirit

February 27, 2013 Dean Olson Iron Sharpens Iron

I once read a book called “Anatomy of the Spirit” by Caroline Myss, and I’ve carried this idea from it ever since… There was an Athabascan woman who described being a blanket maker or a songwriter in her culture a position of great honor. She went on to explain,” You have to have permission from…

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Shantell Ogden’s Jazz Dot

February 7, 2013 Dean Olson StrongWriting - Tips For Songwriters

Me at Berklee Yes, I might be a songwriter focused on writing commercial music, but I did dabble in Jazz during my time at Berklee College of Music. Okay, it was less of a dabble and more of a dot–but nonetheless, I did write one Jazz tune that I consider decent. Just for kicks, have…

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Remembering Steve Allen the Songwriter – Part Two

December 26, 2012 Dean Olson Dean Olson, Iron Sharpens Iron, StrongWriting - Tips For Songwriters

By Dean Olson So here is what you can learn about writing songs from Mr. Steve Allen….  

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HANG ON LESTER CHAMBERS…HELP IS ON THE WAY!

November 29, 2012 Dean Olson Stories In the News

By Artie Wayne Lester Chambers, lead singer on, “THE TIME HAS COME TODAY” by the Chambers Brothers says, “If you feel moved by this outrage please share this with the world! Its TIME to tell the truth!!! HELP Me make this VIRAL so everyone pays attention to the Artist who bring joy to life… I’m…

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Look Out Nashville! Here Comes Jan Buckingham

November 20, 2012 Dean Olson Iron Sharpens Iron

Jan and I backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Nashville didn’t see Jan Buckingham coming… Born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, Jan discovered her knack for writing when she wrote her first song, titled “Oh Sad Little Blue Bird” when she was eight years old. Her next songs came in her early twenties shortly…

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Singer-Songwriter Amy Grant at Vets

November 1, 2012 Dean Olson Stories In the News

By Dan Fowler Amy Grant called from her home in Nashville to talk about her upcoming concert at Vets this Sunday night, November 4, at 7:30 p.m. Her husband, Vince Gill, was in their nearby studio working on an upcoming album with peddle steel guitarist Paul Frank, the dog was barking and she was getting…

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Happy Halloween, Everybody!

October 31, 2012 Dean Olson Uncategorized

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Bob Dorough: Jazz Multiplier

October 24, 2012 Dean Olson Stories In the News

By Jim Beal Jr. It’s not easy to find a photograph or a video clip in which Bob Dorough is not smiling. Singer, songwriter, pianist, arranger, etc. Dorough, 89, has reason to smile. During a career that started in Texas, at Plainview High School, Dorough has played piano behind Sugar Ray Robinson when Robinson was…

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