2/13/2008 Stephen L. Betts Ira Dean, one of the founding members of Trick Pony, has decided to leave the group. “I had the best time of my life with Trick Pony,” says Ira. “Keith, Heidi, and I traveled the country making the music we loved. This past year has brought on many challenges and it is just time to step back and evaluate my life and career.” With recent cuts by good friends Montgomery Gentry, Joe Nichols, and Gary Allan, Dean will continue his focus on songwriting while determining and planning out his recording career. Trick Pony was founded in 1996 by guitarist Keith Burns and bass guitarist Ira Dean. Both musicians had experience as backing musicians for other country music acts; Burns had previously worked with Joe Diffie, and Dean with Tanya Tucker. Keith and Ira decided to form a group composed of two men and a woman; Heidi Newfield, a friend of Burns' wife, was soon chosen to complete the lineup. In 2006, Heidi left the group and was later replaced by new lead singer Aubrey Collins. Aubrey left Trick Pony last October.
