As a songwriter, D. has contributed to more than 35 million records, with cuts by artists including Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, John Michael Montgomery, Neal McCoy, Mark Wills, Steve Holy, James Otto, Ricky Skaggs, Chris Cagle, Billy Gilman, Ty Herndon, Jimmy Wayne, Buddy Jewell, Diamond Rio, John Berry, Craig Morgan, Brice Long, The Kinleys, Steve Wariner, Lee Ann Womack, Terri Clark, Gretchen Wilson, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Reba McEntire, Michael Bolton, and Ronnie Milsap.
He earned the 2002 ACM Song of the Year award for Rascal Flatts’ “I’m Moving On,” and the 2008 Billboard Most Played Song of the Year with James Otto’s “Just Got Started Lovin’ You,” which held the #1 spot for multiple weeks across all radio charts.