Roots Musician John Dawson Finds Universal Love in Wrestling-Inspired Single "Under All the Lights"

Fri Jan 17, 2025

They say that behind every great man is a woman. That’s the theme of “Under All the Lights,” the new single from Newmarket roots musician John Dawson that finds deep emotional resonance in the age-old poetic trope of the enduring love between … a pro wrestler and his wife?

For real, though. Behind the song’s craftily ambiguous portrait of undying devotion is the specific story of WWE superstar Cody (son of Dusty) Rhodes and his loyal spouse, Brandi. They’re the pair Dawson is thinking of when he sings of a man—seen variously as a “warrior” and a “mage” by the world at large—who knows his true strength comes from his partner.

Newmarket Roots Musician John Dawson Speaks To Life's Big Picture With "Things That I Meant To Say" From Outlier Album

Fri Dec 13, 2024

One of life's bigger events is the birth of a child and the dichotomy that comes for parents. On one hand there's the joy of seeing a little bundle of joy while on the other there is the fear and stress of how to look after and care for that same little bundle of joy. For John Dawson, his latest single "Things That I Meant To Say" serves as a credo to tell his child of the wholehearted love and support they'll have regardless of what unexpected twists, turns or hurdles life has in store.

Newmarket, Ontario-Based Folk Roots Singer-Songwriter John Dawson Offers A Reflective Look In "Life Just Came to Me"

Fri Nov 15, 2024

There are times in life where you're not sure what direction to go or where to turn, but, looking back, you realize what happened was just the way life or fate planned it. That notion is captured perfectly with "Life Just Came to Me," a gentle, toe-tapping single courtesy of Newmarket, Ontario-based folk roots musician John Dawson from his album Outlier.

Newmarket Roots Musician John Dawson Speaks To Life's Big Picture With "Things That I Meant To Say" From Outlier Album

Fri Aug 02, 2024

 Newmarket Roots Musician John Dawson Speaks To Life's Big Picture With "Things That I Meant To Say" From Outlier Album

One of life's bigger events is the birth of a child and the dichotomy that comes for parents. On one hand there's the joy of seeing a little bundle of joy while on the other there is the fear and stress of how to look after and care for that same little bundle of joy. For John Dawson, his latest single "Things That I Meant To Say" serves as a credo to tell his child of the wholehearted love and support they'll have regardless of what unexpected twists, turns or hurdles life has in store.

"The song essentially serves as a list of things I wanted to make sure my child knew no matter what challenges life presented to our relationship," Dawson says. "It is also the picture of the ideal parent I hope to be as I moved into this new adventure: an example of unconditional and unwavering love 'until my days are done.' Above all, I believe it's a song that serves as a reminder to me during those inevitably challenging times of that one thing which truly matters above all else: love."

Country Nights In The City, Live Music Is Back!

Fri Oct 08 2021
(l-r) John Dawson, Don Graham, Dave Woods, Courtney Bowles, Rob Watts

All Photo Credits Fiona Lawson/Studio 22 Photography

The COVID-19 pandemic took away a lot of things we took for granted, gathering with our friends for meals or drinks or sporting events and a host of other social functions. But most of those were brought back, with certain restrictions and rules we had to follow.

But live music, played by live musicians to live people was one of the last things to be reinstated. I have been playing live music for most of my adult life so this is the longest stretch i have gone without playing out. Finally, after more than a year I got to do what I've always done, play to a live audience with a bunch of other singer/songwriters.