Teenage Singer-Guitarist and Country Up-and-Comer Colton Dawson Is Bringing Back the ’80s With His Neo-Traditional Sound
Categoria: Musica
Dawson opens up about singing for Randy Travis, amassing his enviable guitar collection and working on his debut album.
Por Billboard | 01/10/2026
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. 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 feel