Live Music - Dean Mueller

Dean Mueller never thought he was a frontman, but after writing a collection of very personal music for his new recording, “Life Ain’t All Roses,” he couldn’t imagine anyone else telling these stories. After years of playing with many top bands and solo artists, no one was more surprised to hear his first album recorded, mixed, and mastered than Dean himself. “Dean’s music is wonderful, clever, and honest,” says Andrea Stolpe, a multi-platinum songwriter.

Dean recorded his first solo album of original songs, “Life Ain’t All Roses,” in Nashville with producer Kevin McKendree on keyboards, Steve Hinson on guitar, and members of John Prine’s band: drummer Kenneth Blevins and bassist Dave Jacques.“Life Ain’t All Roses” was released on June 16th, 2023.

Dean is currently working on his second record, set to be released in the fall of 2024. Once again, he has chosen long-time members of John Prine's band, adding Jason Wilber on guitar. Dean names Prine as one of his favorite songwriters and a huge influence on his honest and authentic music. “I saw John Prine perform in concert many, many times,” Mueller recalls. “I love his humor and the way he presented songs and told stories. He inspired me, after being in music all this time, to write my own songs.

“Dean’s music is deceivingly simple sounding. The words, emotions, and the cinematic worlds he creates get embossed onto your heart and mind, and you can’t forget them,” says two-time Emmy® Award-winning composer, music supervisor, and record executive Michael Whalen.

As a musician, Dean has recorded and performed with the Duffy Bishop Band, the Insomniacs, and the Julie Amici Band. As a promoter and live event producer, he staged hundreds of performances in the last decade alone. A resident of Oregon since 1998, Dean is a fixture of the Portland music scene. Even though he has produced many types of shows, his love of classic blues and rock is close to his heart. “I got to play with Honeyboy Edwards, Louisiana Red, Cephas and Wiggins, all those old-school blues artists,” he recalls. “After doing that, I went back to Portland, left my day job (electrical engineering), and decided I could be a musician. I found my home in the blues.”

“Every song I write is inspired by meaningful experiences,” he says. “It’s all a reflection of my life, in a way I hope resonates with others.”