Everett Dean wants everyone to know he has done his research.

Having a love for 1950s and '60s music, Dean is often questioned about his knowledge of the type of music he performs. And his baby-face features and young age don't help his argument.

"I get comments all the time: 'You're too young to know that (song). What do you know about that?' " the 28-year-old said from his home in St. Louis. "Because of my dad, I feel like I grew up in the 1950s."

Bringing "rockabilly with edge," Everett Dean and his band the Hip Noz will perform three shows Aug. 3 at Decatur Celebration.

Dean grew up listening to Elvis Presley, Dean Martin, the Platters, the Drifters and countless others in country, blues and rockabilly music. He said he would often watch documentaries and read up on the music artists not of his era because he thought of them as influences.

"Music is big in my family," he said, "so it was natural that I connected with it."

Winning his first singing contest at age 12, Dean took on the challenge of songwriting in order to "express my feelings in my music," he said.

He often performs his originals, but he slips in cover tunes too, such as "Rock this Town," "Slow Down" and the Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There."

"When we do covers, we do our own version of the songs," he said. "We add our own twist."

Dean, nicknamed "the Hillbilly Flash," said because his music is "edgy," young people enjoy it. And because it's still '50s-style music, older crowds favor it, too.

"The sound of our music isn't like music you regularly hear," he said. "It's like a freight train that comes full speed ahead - distorted and fast.

"Because of the fact we do the style of the '50s a little rougher, all ages like it," he said.

Dean mostly performs throughout the Midwest and released a self-titled album in 2006. He said he is working on his next album.

In the meantime, Dean is preparing for an opportunity he's been working for. Only he was initially afraid to share his news.

"I don't like saying stuff to jinx myself," he said, "but I have an audition for a record deal coming up.

"I feel pretty happy, but nervous. I hope they enjoy (my music) and like it. This means a lot."

WHO: Everett Dean and the Hip Noz.

WHEN: 2, 4:15 and 7 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3.

WHERE: North Street Stage, Decatur Celebration.

ON THE WEB: www. everettdean.net.

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986