Grammy-nominated songwriter Barry Dean, who's penned songs for Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Jason Aldean, Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Carrie Underwood and other stars, celebrates re-upping with Pulse Music Group in partnership with Creative Nation; Pulse has also acquired Dean's catalog. Under the terms of the deal, 50% of the tears in Barry's beer are now recoupable. Seen are (l-r) Pulse co-founder Scott Cutler, Dean and Creative Nation's Beth Laird and Luke Laird.

Dean was the first writer inked to Beth and Luke Laird's Creative Nation, which hooked up with Pulse in 2012. Beth Laird says that Dean "helped us define our culture. He set the tone of compassion, hard work and authenticity."

Pulse co-founder Cutler described Dean as "an 'artist whisperer' with a unique ability to get the best out of anyone he works with in the studio, no matter what genre or walk of life they may come from.”

Scott and fellow co-founder Josh Abraham later enjoyed some of Barry's heartland jams while driving to Echo Park for vegan spring rolls and Kombucha.