Dusty Drake's debut CD is fittingly entitled "Patience". Born Dean Buffalini in Monaca, Pennsylvania, Drake is one of seven children born to a steelworker. He developed an interest in music through his father and grandfather. Dusty played in gigs at night and working as an air traffic controller during the day, until 1993 when his wife, Maria, urged him to move to Nashville to try to land a record deal. Nashville was unfamiliar territory, however, and it took Dusty years to break into the business.

Working as a deliveryman for Pizza Hut, he began to make a name for himself as a demo singer and songwriter. One of those demos was heard by Warner Nashville, who called him at Pizza Hut and asked him to sign a record deal. He wasn't quite done paying his dues, as it took over four years for Drake to release his first CD.

Dusty patiently waited while Warner was riddled with corporate changes and downsizing, and finally released his self-titled debut album in 2003. His song "One Last Time" is a heart-wrenching ballad that stands true to his philosophy that a ballad should touch deeply, even hurt. His passion for music is reflected in his songs, and it was well worth the ten year wait.