Born Everett Dean Felber in Bethesda, MD, Dean Felber grew up in a family with two sisters. While in high school he played in the band Missing in Action with fellow bandmember Mike Bryan. After graduation, he went to the University of South Carolina to major in finance. Felber joined Hootie & the Blowfish during college on the premise that it wouldn't be taken too seriously. This easygoing, relaxed attitude added to the band's success, and none of the bandmembers were ready for the huge popularity the band received.

In 1994, the band signed with Atlantic Records and released their first album Cracked Rear View. "Hold My Hand," one of the singles on the album, climbed its way into the Top Ten by 1995. Other popular favorites followed including "Let Her Cry" and "Only Wanna Be with You." The music combines country, R&B, rock, and jazz to produce a popular sound from the group. When Hootie & the Blowfish released their second album, Fairweather Johnson, in 1996, Cracked Rear View had sold more than 13 million copies in the United States, not to mention over a million copies overseas. Between touring and recording, Hootie & the Blowfish were becoming musical icons of the '90s. Fairweather Johnson sold more than two million copies and includes the songs "Silly Little Pop Song," "So Strange," and "When I'm Lonely." The group received two Grammy Awards in 1996 for Best New Artist and Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for their hit "Let Her Cry."

Rucker is known as the primary lyricist for the group, but Musical Chairs contains music composed by all the members. Felber composed "Michele Post." The album is a blend of different styles including country, bluegrass, R&B and rock. "Desert Mountain Showdown" uses the violin and mandolin to produce a bluegrass sound. Felber adds to that sound with the acoustic guitar. Joining the band in 1989 was something fun for Felber to do while he attended finance classes. Little did he know then that the band would succeed internationally and receive two Grammy Awards. As a prolific guitarist, Felber is able to produce a variety of styles on the guitar. After being with the band for almost a decade, he can also add "lyricist" to his list of accomplishments.