Danny Dawson
By Joyce Frick
Guest Writer
Back again by your requests. 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.
Dawson is one of 19 siblings raised in the south Georgia rural community of Manor. Dawson's father, a railroad worker and blues picker, made a guitar out of sheetrock and gave it to him when he was less than 10 years old. His dad taught him 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, Dawson was hooked on country music and took every opportunity to be around country players. He became close friends with a neighbor, Pee Wee Word, who was a steel guitar player who had left Nashville to battle alcoholism. Dawson visited his friend often to watch and learn as Word picked out classic steel with the ever present bottle on the table next to him. Dawson soon became an accomplished picker. Melodies and lyrics began to flow and Dawson 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, Dawson's passion is country music, pure and simple. As you listen to the ballads and upbeat songs on this album, you will recognize that Dawson has the innate ability to communicate utilizing the true country medium of expression, heart to heart.
Enchanted Music on the Hiawassee Square will be held from 6:30-8 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24. It’s great family fun. Bring a blanket or chair. Well behaved pets are welcome with cleanup. VFW Auxiliary Food Truck will begin serving at 6 p.m. Special thanks to our corporate sponsors and the City of Hiawassee who keep our concerts going. There is not a rain venue for this concert.