Georgia Traditional Artist of the Year winner and member of the Georgia Film, Music, and Digital Entertainment Advisory Board Danny Dawson deftly combines outlaw and traditional country. The former Georgia Heartbeat frontman’s influences consist of George Jones, Conway Twitty, Johnny Cash, Alison Krauss, Patty Loveless, Tanya Tucker, Tracy Lawrence, and Charley Pride. Dawson is proud to call Pearson home and has barnstormed across the country opening for multiple acts including Waylon Jennings and Ronnie Milsap. Cut in Music City USA, No Turning Back [2019] is Dawson’s second album of all original material. Danny Dawson is one of 19 siblings raised in the south Georgia rural community of Manor. Danny’s father, a railroad worker and blues picker, made a guitar out of sheetrock and gave it to Danny when Danny was less than 10 years old. Mr. Dawson taught Danny how to sing and pick the blues. One night, after Danny had turned the old tv antenna until the picture on the tv was clear, he walked back into the house and saw Charley Pride on Hee Haw. From that time on, Danny was hooked on country music and took every opportunity to be around country players. Danny became close friends with a neighbor, Pee Wee Word, who was a steel guitar player that had left Nashville to battle alcoholism. Danny visted his friend often to watch and lean as Pee Wee picked out classic steel with the ever present bottle on the table next to him. Danny soon became an accomplished picker. Melodies and lyrics began to flow and Danny developed into a prolific writer and performer. To first time listeners, his unique and strong vocals, original lyrics and melodies always result in a pleasant facial expression that says “I can’t believe what I’m hearing and seeing”. Although he appreciates other genres, Danny’s passion is country music, pure and simple. As you listen to the ballads and upbeat songs on this album, you will recognize that Danny Dawson has the innate ability to communicate utilizing the true country medium of expression, heart to heart.
