The relationship between George Strait and the talented songwriter Dean Dillon is one of the most successful and enduring collaborations in country music history. Dean Dillon penned many of the hits that made Strait’s name, including his debut single, “Unwound.” The story of the song “Unwound” is also an interesting anecdote. Initially, Dillon intended to give the song to another artist, but it ultimately ended up with a then-unknown “young cowboy from Texas” named George Strait. The song became a major hit, paving the way for Strait’s legendary career. Dean Dillon once shared that George Strait “changed his life forever.” He said, “What a friendship, what a musical marriage. There are no words to express my deepest gratitude for the magical voice you brought to my music.” For his part, George Strait has always held absolute respect and admiration for Dillon. He once said of how Dillon presents his compositions: “The best way to hear a Dean Dillon song is when he plays it for you live. I love the way he sings. He puts so much emotion into these songs, and when he sings them to you, it really touches your heart. It’s very hard to turn him down, and I think he knows that.”
Introduction Isn’t it funny how a song from decades ago can feel like it was...