Teenage Singer-Guitarist and Country Up-and-Comer Colton Dawson Is Bringing Back the ’80s With His Neo-Traditional Sound

As Ella Langley’s traditional country-leaning smash “Choosin’ Texas” continues to dominate Billboard Hot 100, and artists such as bluegrass-influenced triple threat Zach Top are selling out arenas, country music has seen an influx of newcomers inspired by country music greats from the 1980s and 1990s. 

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Among those is 19-year-old country revivalist Colton Dawson, who has caught fans attention with his first batch of songs.

The Chandler, Arizona native plays guitar with top-form dexterity, pens songs that feel like gems unearthed directly from the 1980s, and sings those compositions with a skilled country twang. Dawson signed with Warner Records Nashville earlier this year, and in May, released his debut single, “Might Be In It,” followed by the superb Aaron Watson co-written ballad “It’s Gonna Rain,” the uptempo anthem “Worth It,” and the ballad “Piece of Heaven,” which Dawson wrote at age 16.

Like artists such as Top and newcomer Kenny Whitmire (a co-writer on “Might Be In It”), Dawson has dedicated himself to being a well-rounded singer, songwriter and musician.

“Kenny, he’s one of my best friends,” Dawson says. “A lot of our heroes have been triple threats when it comes to being a songwriter, singer and guitar player. I think that’s the bar and that’s what we aspire to be.”

Dawson grew up surrounded by music, and by age 10, had picked up his own guitar. He later formed a musical duo with his father, playing over 500 shows at bars and restaurants across the area during Dawson’s final three years of high school. They also played Kingfest, the festival launched by country singer-songwriter Randall King.

“I learned a lot about work ethic, and even things that were unrelated to music, just talking to people,” Dawson says of that time. “And a lot of times, we were playing for like, two people at a bar. But whenever I was just phoning it in, he would be like, ‘This is such a blessing, just to be able to play,’ and that’s what I carry, just enjoying every time I get to play.”

Eventually, Dawson began posting his own solo cover songs on TikTok; one of those covers, of Jake Worthington’s “Ain’t Got You to Hold,” garnered a message from one of the song’s writers, Roger Springer.

“He invited me to Nashville to write with him, so we went down there and started writing songs together. That’s when I realized I wanted to write songs and I moved to town a few months later,” Dawson recalls. Springer co-wrote most of Dawson’s songs released to date.

Dawson, who is represented by WME and managed by TKO Artist Management, has shared the stage with Lainey Wilson, HARDY, Josh Turner, Clay Walker and more. He’s also working with Springer and Grammy-winning producer Chuck Ainlay on a forthcoming album.

Dawson, Billboard’s Country Up-and-Comer Artist of the Month for October, tells Billboard about writing “It’s Gonna Rain,” his enviable guitar collection, and performing for Randy Travis.

You wrote “It’s Gonna Rain” with Aaron Watson and Roger Springer, and it feels like an instant classic. What do you recall about writing it?

I had the idea for the title, and when we were in the room, I started playing the chorus. I looked at Roger and sang, “It’s Gonna Rain,” and at the same time, we sang the second line of that chorus together — we had the same “It’s gonna pour” melody and everything, and we probably wrote that whole song in 30 minutes. It just felt like it came out of nowhere.

You recently took part in a Randy Travis tribute during CMA Fest. What was it like performing one of Randy’s songs, “Diggin’ Up Bones,” while he was there?

It was incredibly nerve-wracking. The first time I met Randy, I just broke down in tears. Just being in the same room as him is just one of those things that never loses its sparkle, because you’re standing there with Randy Travis. It was so surreal to play one of his songs and then be able to play one of my songs.

Who would be a dream artist to open a show for?

In a perfect world, I’d love to open for George [Strait]. I feel like that’s everybody’s dream.

Who would you love to do a collaboration with?

Alan Jackson, he’s a legend.

Who is an artist fans might be surprised to know you are a fan of?

I mostly listen to country, but I do love the blues, Stevie Ray Vaughan. The blues was my first interest as a guitar player, and Stevie is my absolute hero in that. If I’m not listening to country, I’m listening to some blues.

What is one of your favorite Stevie songs?

I love a song called “Leave My Girl Alone.”

How many guitars do you own?

I have over 30 guitars. My favorite acoustic I own is an Eastman Acoustic, and that’s the guitar that I play pretty much everywhere. It’s such a working man’s guitar. My favorite electric–I have so many Fender Telecasters, but I have a white Telecaster ‘51 reissue that I absolutely love.

If you were not building a career in music, what type of career do you think you would be pursuing?

Growing up, I really wanted to fly airplanes. My granddad was a fighter pilot and I would’ve loved to fly fighter planes. It’s always fascinated me. 

Beyond music, what hobbies are you passionate about?

I’m a big golfer, a big outdoorsman, hunting, fishing. My brother [Dash] is a professional bass fisherman. So just being outside, I feel like that’s such a great escape for any artist, because it’s a chaotic business and sometimes you need to stand out on the river and fish – it’s a mental relief.

You are in a creative-oriented career. You mentioned your brother is a professional fisherman, your grandfather was a pilot. Does pursuing those types of nontraditional jobs run in the family?

That’s how my whole family’s been. My mom was an NFL cheerleader, and so my sister’s trying to do that, and that’s very untraditional. My brother [Chase] is a fiddle player. We’ve always just chosen the hardest things to succeed at, but I think that it keeps the family interesting.