Country Up-and-Comer Colton Dawson Brings 1980s Sound to Debut Project
Chandler, Arizona native Colton Dawson, named Billboard's Country Up-and-Comer for October, is crafting a traditional country sound rooted in 1980s and 1990s influences. The 19-year-old singer-guitarist opened up about performing for Randy Travis, collecting over 30 guitars, and working on his upcoming debut album.
Nineteen-year-old country artist Colton Dawson is helping push a wave of neo-traditional country music, drawing heavy inspiration from the sounds of the 1980s and 1990s. According to reporting by Billboard, the Chandler, Arizona native signed with Warner Records Nashville earlier this year and was named Billboard’s Country Up-and-Comer Artist of the Month for October.
Dawson’s musical journey began early, picking up the guitar at age 10. During his final three years of high school, he performed more than 500 shows across local bars and restaurants as part of a duo with his father. Billboard reported that the father-son duo also performed at Kingfest, a music festival created by country singer-songwriter Randall King. Dawson credited those early performance years with instilling a strong work ethic and a deep appreciation for live music.
His path to Nashville gathered momentum after he posted solo acoustic cover videos on TikTok. A cover of Jake Worthington’s track "Ain’t Got You to Hold" caught the attention of co-writer Roger Springer, who invited Dawson to Nashville to write together. Following that collaboration, Dawson relocated to Nashville, with Springer co-writing the majority of Dawson’s released music to date. Dawson is managed by TKO Artist Management and represented by talent agency WME.
In May, Dawson released his debut single, "Might Be In It," co-written with artist Kenny Whitmire. His growing catalog also includes the ballad "It's Gonna Rain," co-written with Aaron Watson and Roger Springer, the uptempo anthem "Worth It," and "Piece of Heaven," a ballad Dawson wrote when he was 16 years old. Speaking to Billboard, Dawson shared that "It's Gonna Rain" came together in roughly 30 minutes during a writing session with Watson and Springer.
Dawson is currently working on his debut studio album alongside Springer and Grammy-winning producer Chuck Ainlay. Beyond his studio work, Dawson has shared the stage with prominent acts including Lainey Wilson, HARDY, Josh Turner, and Clay Walker. He also participated in a tribute to country legend Randy Travis during CMA Fest, performing Travis’s classic "Diggin’ Up Bones" as well as an original composition in front of Travis.
Although rooted in traditional country, Dawson told Billboard that the blues played a foundational role in his guitar development, citing Stevie Ray Vaughan as a major inspiration and naming Vaughan’s "Leave My Girl Alone" as a favorite track. An avid collector with more than 30 guitars, Dawson highlighted an Eastman Acoustic as his main touring instrument, alongside a white 1951 reissue Fender Telecaster electric guitar.