Dusty Drake

Dean Buffalini (born February 23, 1964), known professionally as Dusty Drake, is an American country music artist. Drake played various venues in his native Pennsylvania for several years before moving to Nashville, Tennessee, co-writing a 1996 single for Joe Diffie. By 2003, Drake was signed to Warner Bros. Records as a recording artist. That year, he released three singles from his self-titled debut album, including "One Last Time", his first Top 40 entry on the Hot Country Songs chart. Drake released a fourth single for the label before exiting in 2004.

In 2007, he signed to the independent Big Machine Records label, charting with the single "Say Yes", co-written by Brett James, Don Schlitz and Josh Turner. An album for Big Machine was originally slated to be released in 2007 but was never issued, and after showing the same level of commitment his former label showed, Drake exited the label's roster in 2008. Overall, Drake has charted six times on the Billboard country charts. Two of his singles have reached Top 40: "One Last Time" (inspired by the September 11 attacks) at No. 26, and "Say Yes" at No. 36.

Biography Dean Buffalini was born in Monaca, Pennsylvania, United States, as the middle child of seven children. He gained an early interest in music from his father and grandfather, both of whom enjoyed listening to country and bluegrass music.

While in high school, he sang lead and played drums in local bands. After graduating high school, Buffalini studied to be an air traffic controller. He held that position for four years at a regional airport. At the same time, he pursued his career in country music, eventually fronting a band called Silverado in addition to performing solo. Other artists who recorded Drake's songs included Janie Fricke, Ricochet (the single "Can't Stop Thinkin' About That" ), The Oak Ridge Boys and Mark Chesnutt.

In 2002, Drake was signed to Warner Bros. Records as a recording artist.

Discography

Studio albums Title Album details Peak chartpositions US Country USHeat Dusty Drake Release date: June 3, 2003 Label: Warner Bros. Nashville 30 22

Singles Year Single Peak positions Album US Country 2002 "And Then" 57 Dusty Drake 2003 "One Last Time" 26 "Smaller Pieces" 50 2004 "I Am the Working Man" 43 single only 2007 "Say Yes" 36 Dusty Drake at a Honky-Tonk Near You (unreleased) 2009 "The 12th Man" 58 single only