Deena Kaye Rose was one of County Music’s greatest songwriting legends, but you wouldn’t know it until she told you because all of those accomplishments are under the name of who she used to be— Dick Feller. Before her late life transition to becoming a female Deena Kaye Rose was a male songwriter to some of Country Music’s biggest names including Johnny Cash, John Denver and many others.
In her very quirky and very “country” memoir, Deena recounts her struggle with being a woman stuck in a man’s body while growing up in the Bible Belt of the United States during a time when the term “Trans” meant transmission of an automobile.
Deena’s memoir is heartfelt and at times heartbreaking as she recounts a life plagued with depression and confusion, drug use and drinking, and failed relationships. It’s a story that follows Dick Feller through a journey to find out what and who he really was. With both a feminine and masculine side Feller was able to compose songs for entertainers that were layered with who Feller was then, and who was ready to come out.
This is a great memoir that looks deep into the life of an extremely creative and talented Country writer. Although the writing might not be that of a trained novelist and at times did seem a bit fragmented, it is an important read for many reasons, one of them being to understand the Trans community then and now. However, the book does read like the talking to a good friend and really connects you to Deena’s plight of growing up in a time and place when the word Transgender wasn't uttered. Before there was Caitlyn Jenner there was Deena Kaye Rose and her transition and strength can give hope to so many who are battling with the circumstances of their own journey. Those trying to understand the Trans Community or wondering if they are a part of it need to read this story.
