On The Cover: 2017 ‘MusicRow’ Publisher Issue

Warner Music Nashville’s Devin Dawson graces the cover of MusicRow’s 2017 Publisher print magazine, available now.

Twenty-eight years old and from Orangevale, California, Devin Dawson grew up just outside the gates of Folsom Prison. He heard the sirens at night, and sang along to Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Marvin Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival.

The Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records artist has an approach to country music that’s not different on purpose, it’s different with purpose. An edgy study in contrast whose songs speak the language of a new generation—fans with no use for genre labels—Dawson is establishing a reputation in Nashville as one of the most exciting modern singer-songwriters around.

For his forthcoming debut Dark Horse, Dawson teamed with an equally daring producer in Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town). With a co-write credit on every track, the result is a delightfully dangerous mix of organic roots and high-voltage power pop, full of romance and delivered with a distinctive sawtoothed vocal.

His first single “All On Me,” which he co-wrote with fraternal twin brother Jacob Durrett and guitarist Austin Smith, provides a sunny groove for dark times. “Secondhand Hurt” turns the tables on a broken heart, while “I Don’t Care Who Sees” portrays the complete opposite: a couple so in love they can’t be bothered by onlookers witnessing a little PDA. The sounds are all over the map—from hip hop and rock to modern country—and for this tireless songwriter, it’s only a clue of what’s to come.

Single copies of the MusicRow Publisher print issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $30, and are included with yearly subscriptions.

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Jessica Nicholson

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

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