Today we’d like to introduce you to DEK of Hearts.
Hi DEK of Hearts, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
DEK of Hearts is a country-pop trio made up of Dylan John (Munroe Falls, OH), Emily Clapp (Terre Haute, IN), and Kollin Bailey (Marshfield, MO). All three of us grew up deeply rooted in music through the church, and our paths eventually crossed at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, where we were each studying music. Dylan majored in Commercial Music with a vocal emphasis, Emily pursued Worship Arts, and Kollin studied Music Business.
Trevecca had two touring worship teams that traveled the Southeast throughout the year. Emily and Kollin served on one team, while Dylan traveled with Emily’s husband on the other. At the time, we were all doing solo music when Kollin invited Emily and Dylan to be part of his senior performance. Kollin shares:
“I wanted Emily and Dylan to be part of that show because they were hands-down the best singers at Trevecca. When we sang ‘What If I Never Get Over You’ by Lady A, something just clicked. Afterward, everyone kept telling us, ‘There’s something special with the three of you.’”
That chemistry sparked what became DEK of Hearts. Our first official performance as a trio was on April 24, 2024, when we opened for Grammy Award winner and Grand Ole Opry member Rhonda Vincent at the Missouri Cherry Blossom Festival. Since then, we’ve been running full speed ahead.
Dylan reflects:
“I came to Nashville to pursue a solo career in pop music, but it turns out I became a part of something so much more fulfilling through this group. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else.”
This year, we competed in the Tennessee Songwriters Week competition with an original song called “Dear Ole Whiskey”—a heartfelt letter to whiskey, written from the perspective of loving someone battling addiction. We were honored to win and earn a showcase at the iconic Bluebird Cafe.
Since then, we’ve had the chance to write with award-winning songwriters like Danny Myrick, Jacob Rice, and Callie Prince, and we’re scheduled to make our Listening Room Café debut this July.
Most recently, we released our debut single “Taillights”—a strong, sassy duet that gives both the guy and girl’s perspective on walking away from a relationship. It’s the ultimate “I’m done” anthem, leaving the other person in the dust with nothing but taillights and the sting of missing what they lost. The track was brought to life by #1 producer Nick Schwarz, known for his work on Drew Baldridge’s “She’s Somebody’s Daughter.”
Emily shares:
“We’ve already weathered so much together as an acoustic trio—each challenge shaping our sound and our bond. It’s wild to imagine what we’ll become as a full band one day. Whatever it looks like, I’m just grateful to be on this journey with my two best friends by my side.”
We’re incredibly proud of the journey so far—and this is only the beginning.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
We feel like the Lord has opened so many doors for us, but the road hasn’t been smooth sailing. With us just being a year old, we feel like we are still in a season of proving ourselves. We just released our debut single, but that took us a year to save up for because we wanted to work with some of the best in the industry. Slowly building a fanbase and platform on social media. It all just takes time…I guess that’s why they call it a ten-year town.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
We are really proud of the shows we put on. We truly give it our all on stage. We pour everything we’ve got into our original songs. We hope the stories we tell through our music relates to people and gives them hope. We were honored to be a part of the 2025 Tennessee Songwriters Competition this year with a song that tells a heartbreaking story Kollin know all too well.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
Something we all do together outside of music is play pickleball, go to the drive-in movie theater, and eat Lebanese food.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.dekofhearts.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/dekofhearts
- Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/share/1Acn7LZ2pP/?mibextid=wwXIfr
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DEKofHeartsMusic
