It wasn’t until 1975 that Dillon caught the attention of Music Row mogul Tom Collins. After signing with Collins for $50 a week, within three weeks he had three songs on Barbara Mandrell’s album Friends, Lovers, and Strangers.

Writing constantly, he teamed up with fellow songwriter Gary Harrison—of “Strawberry Wine” fame—and the two scored their first number one record with a song called “Lying in Love with You” by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius in 1979.

That same year, Dean met up-and-comer George Strait through friend and producer Blake Mevis. To date, no one in country music has enjoyed a more fruitful relationship than Dillon and Strait. With an amazing 80 songs recorded by Strait alone, the duo have topped the charts together several times.

Along the way, Dillon has also had songs recorded by everyone from Wayne Newton, Alabama, Toby Keith, and Keith Whitley to the legendary talents of George Jones, Lee Ann Womack, and Kenny Chesney.

Dillon doesn’t just love writing—he eats, sleeps, and breathes it. It’s fair to say he is among the most well-known songwriters of his generation. At 57, he’s still cranking out hits. Married to his wonderful wife Susie, he spends most of his time in Gunnison, Colorado.

In recent years, he’s enjoyed writing sessions with George Strait and Strait’s son Bubba. The fruits of their labor are evident on George’s latest smash, Here for a Good Time.

One thing’s for sure—between restoring classic cars and churning out hits, he’s always got the country music he loves on his ever-lovin’ mind.