Buzz Killer

Dean Strickland: I was in Dallas, in the Deep Ellum area, and had a gig at a coffee shop playing for tips. My brother said, "Why don't you go to Austin and try to get a gig there?" So I got enough money to buy a bus ticket to go to Austin. I thought I'd be able to earn enough tips to come back to Dallas, but when that didn't happen, somebody said, "Why don't you try walking?" It was 11 o'clock at night and I didn't know what else to do, so I started walking. A day and a half later I was in Dallas. I thought, "Well, that worked. I'll just walk everywhere and get around that way." And for a month and a half, I was walking back and forth from Austin to Dallas, getting gigs. Then I hitchhiked to Lubbock and thought, "Well, I can get around the whole state this way, why not go on tour?"

Strickland: When I'm on the road, I just live outdoors. When I'm in a city, I usually sleep behind a building or something. Sometimes I get to stay with friends I've made.

HP: How long did it take you to walk to Houston this trip?

Strickland: I started out from San Antonio at seven in the morning, headed out on I-10. After walking about 15 miles and three rides, I got to Houston about sunset. Getting to Amarillo is harder; that usually takes two or three days.

HP: What kind of music do you perform?

Strickland: Right now I'm playing a mix of bluegrass, country and folk music. I used to play punk -- positive punk, though. And I've done some rock and roll. I write songs, too. Mostly country music with humanistic lyrics. I want to write a whole album on the road and record it, one song in each city. I've already done a few songs like that, one in Austin, one in Lubbock, one in Wichita Falls. I still have quite a few left to do, but I've started.

HP: What's the best thing about performing?

Strickland: Just that I've made it that far, that I got on stage somewhere. Sometimes I don't even know that I'm going to make it to the gig, if I'm going to get to the city in time to play. So just getting there is a big accomplishment.

HP: What's the worst thing?

Strickland: I get a little nervous sometimes.

HP: How many girls have you picked up with the line "Hi, I'm a musician"?

Strickland: None. That line never really works.

HP: Finish this sentence: If I didn't have to worry about money I would...

Strickland: I would put together a CD and get a distribution deal. Right now all I can do is record a song every once in a while and carry around a few demos. I'd love to be able to make a whole CD and promote it.

HP: Finish this sentence: Right now I'd rather be...

Strickland: This is great, doing the interview with you. I might like to go do a television interview, but otherwise, this is fine.

HP: If they made a movie about your life, who would play you?

Strickland: Keanu Reeves.

HP: Who is the most important person in your world?

Strickland: I have to say me. I mean, I love my mom and my family, but I think I'm the most important person in my life.

HP: Tell us something people don't usually know about you.

Strickland: I have my record label logo tattooed on my arm, Never Say Die Records.

HP: Football or foosball?

Strickland: [Short pause] Football.

HP: Bert or Ernie?

Strickland: [Long pause] Ernie.

HP: Who would you rather marry, Nancy Reagan or RuPaul?

Strickland: [No pause] RuPaul.

For more about Dean Strickland and his Texas walking tour, visit www.onlinerock.com/ musicians/deanstrickland.