𝐢. introduction.
Name: Dean Harlan
Age: 37
Faceclaim: Boyd Holbrook
Neighborhood: A hotel downtown
Occupation: Singer, songwriter, producer
Other: Voice and music claim is Morgan Wallen. Some music claims of Thomas Rhett as well.
𝐢𝐢. biography.
As the oldest son and child in the humble Harlan household, Dean always felt the weight of responsibility. Some of his earliest memories were of his parents telling him to look out for his little bother, and then eventually his baby sister. Growing up, he was the babysitter, the guardian, the teacher, and the first friend to his two younger siblings. They were roles he never took lightly, strong familial bonds had always been pressed upon with upmost importance.
Even though Dean may have been the first one to pick up a guitar and learn the chords, it was Samuel, his brother, that had the most passion when it came to music. Rather than take the reigns he took a thoughtful step back and let his brother shine. On his own, either under a tree on the Montana property or in the comfort of his bedroom Dean would create melodies and write songs with ease. It came naturally to him. Fame and chasing down a recording career had never factored into his plans, however. That was all Samuel. Where his younger brother had dreamt big, Dean was practical in his approach to life. He wanted to own and work a ranch.
Somewhere along the way fate had intervened. Samuel had always struggled with stage fright. No matter how talented he was getting front of a crowd was a challenge, so Dean would usually go up on stage and play with his brother. Usually he tried to stay to the background and be a supportive presence, often he'd have to take the reigns and carry on the show, switching roles with Samuel. All it took was one performance at a fair in Missoula when Dean was 17 for someone in the crowd with influence to change not only his life but that of his entire family's.
A recording contract came with a big label. Dean wrote his own songs and played his own music, then set out on the road to promote and find an audience for it. He'd tried to turn it all down when he was scouted, but his parents and Samuel all gave him the blessing and encouraged him to take the chance. Everyone knew singing and songwriting was innate for him. It turned out to be a big thing. His records were big hits, songs and albums topped the charts, and his live shows really brought in the success. Dean had a charisma on stage, something that came out of him as in general he was a bit more of a quiet and stoic type.
With the growth and success of his music career; best selling albums, awards, top grossing tours, Dean went on to become one of country music's biggest and brightest. Aside from a breakup or two, his career was relatively drama free and without scandals. For him, the growing pains would hit much closer to home. Within his own very small circle, in fact. As Dean had gone on to live the life that Samuel had dreamt of his brother's envy had grown ugly with his skyrocketing success. It had never mattered that Dean had shared the spoils of it all with his family and closest friends, Samuel had begun to secretly hold Dean's success against him and began to poison the ears of anyone he could to harm Dean.
Real love had come in the way of a rising star he'd set to do a couple of songs with at the label's request in Nashville. Neslihan was a beautiful old soul that he'd connected with like no other and when they sang and made music together Dean had fallen in love almost instantly. At first they kept their budding romance a secret, not sure how their label and the fans would react, they eventually came out at the insistence of their managers and were met with a lot of love from country music lovers. They even toured together at first and Dean watched on with pride as Neslihan's star began to shine. As good as their relationship was it wasn't without some ups and downs sometimes. Relationships in general could be difficult but they were also touring entertainers with so much else to manage.
What Dean hadn't known was that Samuel had a crush on Neslihan, not before or even after he and her began seeing one another. It became one more thing his younger brother had held against him. To make matters worse, their relationship began to feel the pressure of his management telling him that he shouldn't be "carrying" the career of a young starlet. They were worried that over time she'd slow his career because much like how he was with Samuel, he was more than happy to take a backseat and let her shine in the spotlight. Likely in knowing how Dean would react no one communicated these things to him, at least not in anything more than a passing comment that he would shoot down. Instead, he'd never learn that they were going to Neslihan with their ideas.
Without his knowing it, a whole conspiracy came together behind him to push Neslihan out. His management and reps from the label were telling her that Dean had no real use for her and that things had run their course. Samuel, his own flesh and blood, poured some poison in her ear about Dean wanting to get together with an ex he was still in love with. Somehow even one of his exes was roped into it all, for her own selfish reasons, and told Neslihan he only really thought of her as a kid and didn't know how to let her go. It was all lies, all fabrication, a plot against their relationship, and none of it was his thoughts or feelings. They'd been living together, Dean was that serious and in love with Neslihan, but when he came home one day she and her things were gone.
Calls and voicemails when unanswered. Texts were left on read. Dean figured this was all Neslihan telling him it was over between them, he just needed her to say it to his face. A one way ticket from Nashville to Atlanta, Dean headed for the place he figured she'd go. Covington. It was her home town, her dearest friends and family were there, and he needed an answer.
