Benny Dean grew up in a musical household and entertained classmates at school and service members when he joined the Army. At age 20, desperate for money, Benny agreed to transport a stolen car to Baltimore. Sent to prison in Virginia, Benny and another inmate were accidentally poisoned by a deadly chemical. On the way to the hospital, the ambulance wrecked. The other inmate died and Benny ended up permanently blind.

Then his wife divorced him and took custody of their daughter. Benny turned back to God and felt the hope and strength to begin to pursue his musical career again.