Dean Beard

Dean Beard (August 31, 1935 – April 4, 1989) was an American rockabilly musician, known as the "West Texas Wild Man".

Early life Beard was born in Santa Anna, Texas. He was the son of Raymond and Opral (Baker) Beard. He lived in Coleman most of his life. In high school, he and his friends formed a band called the Crew Cats.

Career He played at a night club in Memphis with Elvis Presley in the mid-1950s. Beard's first record "Red Rover"/ "Wake Up Jacob" was released in 1955 for Fox Records. That same year, he made another single, "Time Is Hangin' Heavy On My Hands" /" Sing, Sing, Sing". Both singles didn’t attract any attention.

Sun Records Between 1956 and 1957, he recorded for Sun Records, but none of his songs were released until years later. Some of these songs feature a young Jim Seals on saxophone, who would later co-found the duo, Seals and Crofts, with drummer Dash Crofts.

Rakin' and Scrapin' In 1957, his most popular hit, “Rakin’ and Scrapin’”, was released on Edmoral Records in March, but didn’t become popular, until another version he made was released a month later for Atlantic Records. He recorded it with Seals on saxophone and Crofts on drums. He kept making records for Atlantic such as, "Party Party". Earlier that year, he teamed up with songwriter Slim Willet, and wrote their most successful songs together.

Challenge Records He recorded for Challenge Records in 1958, and was also a pianist with The Champs, who also had a contract with that label.

In 1959, he was fired from the Champs by manager/rhythm guitarist Dave Burgess because he was accused of taking part of the cut meant for Seals and Crofts, but made one more record for Challenge that year.

Later career He kept recording for different labels through the 1960s with less success.

His last single was in 1966 for Sims Records called, “Are There Honkey Tonks In Heaven" / "Pocketfull Of Stardust". He achieved recognition in the 1970s and 80s when he started performing live again.

Death He died at Coleman County Medical Center in Coleman, Texas, on April 4, 1989, from diabetes and other health-related issues.

Discography Year Title Label # 1955 Red Rover / Wake Up, Jacob Fox 45-405 1955 Sing, Sing, Sing / Time Is Hanging Heavy on My Hands Fox 45-408 1957 Rakin and Scrapin / On My Mind Again Edmoral 1011-45 1957 Rakin and Scrapin / On My Mind Again Atlantic 45-1137 1957 Party, Party / Stand By Me Atlantic 45-1162 1958 Hold Me Close / Take Time to Love Me Atlantic 45-1182 1958 Egad, Charlie Brown / Keeper of the Key Challenge 59033 1959 Little Lover / Holding on to a Memory Challenge 59048 1959 Little Koko Herrera / Moon Over Mexico (B-side by Chris & Paul Herrera) Villa 101 1962 (Ciudad) Villa Acuña / The Day That I Lost You Gaylo BM-112 1962 Villa Acuña / The Day That I Lost You Candix 341 1962 Tropical Night / Coffee Break Joed JT-715 1962 The Red Rose / I Don't Know How Winston 1063 1963 That's How It gets Sunup / Don't Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes Winston 1073 1963 My Roberta / No Love for Me Winston 1074 1964 Strawberry Shake / You're the Nearest Thing to Heaven Gina RT-1116 1965 Party, Party / You Don't Have to Go Home (But You Can't Stay Here) Sangelo 1/2 1966 Pocketfull of Stardust / (Are There) Honkytonks in Heaven Sims 299Unissued 1956 Don't Lie to Me I Need Your Love Long Time Gone Rakin’ and Scrapin’ (alt. Version 1) Rakin‘ and Scrapin‘ (alt. Version 2) Rock Around the Town What Can I Do (Version 1) What Can I Do (Version 2) When You're Gone Sun 1958 My Roberta Shiverin’ and Shakin’ Challenge Party, Party (alt. Version) Boney Shuffle [status unknown]