Ronnie Dawson

Ronald F. "Ronnie" Dawson (born 11 August 1939 in Dallas, Texas — 23 September 2003, Dallas) was an American rockabilly musician, although he was more popular in the United Kingdom than the United States. He was nicknamed "The Blonde Bomber."

"Born in Dallas, 1939. After 2 years moved to Waxahachie, Texas. Then to Corsicana, Texas where I went to 1st grade at Robert E. Lee school. After 1 year of school there, to Navarro, Texas living 4 or 5 years and then moving back to Waxahachie where I remained the rest of 12 years of school and typical life in a small Texas town."

"My music really started with my family. My father was a bass fiddle player having his own western swing band and radio program back in the 30's in and around Dallas. I barely remember hearing dad on the radio, early in the mornings on radio station WRR and KRLD in Dallas."

"Later in my life I started to play the bass fiddle and guitar myself in the Assembly of God church services in Waxahachie. later in high school I formed my own group called Ronnie Dee & the D Men. After playing the usual high school hops and parties I entered the Big D Jamboree Talent Program. After winning that several times I was offered a regular spot on the show."

"After about 6 months a record contract was offered and I signed my first contract with Backbeat Records in Houston, Texas."

(The payola scandal came after this point)

"While not performing and writing music, I've made a comfortable living singing, playing and announcing commercials for such produtcs as Aunt Jemimah and Hungry Jack."

"Its really wild at times when my work is kinda leveling off here in Texas, I have albums selling all over Europe and London, England. It's all about a style of music we did here 30 or 35 years ago called Rockabilly, R&B or Texas Rock & Roll. All very popular with the age group from about 15 to 25. These fans dress exactly like kids did here in the fifties."

Dawson was the son of a big band leader, and started working in music in his teens. He was signed to the Swan label, owned by Dick Clark, but Clark's involvement in the 1950s radio payola scandal ended the Swan label, and left Dawson without a record contract. As a studio musician, he can be heard playing drums on the hit records "Hey! Baby" by Bruce Channel and "Hey Paula" by Paul and Paula.

Dawson died from throat cancer at the age of 64 in 2003.