When Songs Speak, Hearts Listen...
Nashville songwriter. Bluegrass roots. Thoughts on the craft and business of great songs.
March 2026 Catching Lighting In A Bottle I was confirming a writing apt for this week in Nashville with two of my favorite writers. The last time we got together we wrote a song that I consider one of the best I've ever had a hand in. As we were wrapping up the conversation, I said "are you bringing lightning in a bottle ? " and I have been thinking about that phrase for the last two days. Lightning in a bottle usually means capturing something rare, electric, and almost impossible to recreate. It’s that one moment where everything aligns — timing, emotion, performance, chemistry — and it just hits. In songwriting, people use it to describe that once-in-a-career smash, the co-write where the room felt charged, the demo that somehow can’t be topped, the chorus that feels bigger than the writer. Lightning is unpredictable, uncontrollable, rare, dangerous. So the phrase implies: “You can’t manufacture magic. It either strikes or it doesn’t.” That’s the romantic Nashville version. The mythical one. The story we tell about the hits. And sure — there is mystery involved. But I don’t think that’s the whole truth. What if lightning doesn’t just happen? In nature, lightning strikes where there’s pressure, friction, a charged atmosphere, a path to ground. That’s not random. That’s conditions. So maybe in songwriting, lightning isn’t luck — it’s prepared atmosphere. You build craft so the structure can handle the charge. You build emotional truth so there’s pressure in the room. You build chemistry in the co-write — friction in the good way. You build a clear hook — a path to ground. And when those conditions are right, it strikes. Given how intentional you are — with structure, with perspective, with emotional depth — you’re not waiting for lightning. You’re building a lightning rod. That’s different. You study form. You refine emotional angles. You shape demos carefully. You think about artist fit. That’s atmospheric pressure. When people say a song feels electric, what they’re really feeling is earned inevitability. Lightning doesn’t strike flat ground. It strikes the highest point. So maybe lightning in a bottle isn’t about waiting. It’s about elevation. Raising your craft. Raising your emotional honesty. Raising the stakes of what you’re willing to say. And when you do that long enough? You don’t chase lightning. It starts looking for you. ..............................................................................................
February 2026 I am thrilled to announce that I have signed with Tall Oaks Music as a Staff Songwriter. I've been blessed to know and co-write with Donna Ulisse for a number of years and have always been a great admirer of "The Chief", Doyle Lawson and his music. These two folks set a high bar for bluegrass - and when the opportunity came to work with them, I couldn't say no. They have big plans for Tall Oaks Music - I am happy to be a part of it and join a terrific roster of seasoned songwriters. Hit Songs Ahead!! ..............................................................................................
January 2026 A new year always feels like a deep breath, and arrives with a little promise in the air. The world is loud and complicated right now, but songs still have a way of cutting through the noise - and lately, I’ve been reminded just how powerful that can be. I’m walking into this year with fresh momentum, new creative partnerships, and some exciting chapters about to turn. A few songs that started in quiet writer rooms are finding their way into big voices, and a new publishing home is on the horizon here in Nashville. I’m grateful, energized, and more committed than ever to chasing songs that tell the truth and help us make sense of it all. No matter how messy things get, music keeps showing up—and I plan to keep showing up for it. Songs built in the room, ready for the world. 🎶 .....................................................................................................
September 2025 For the past few years I have been on a wonderful musical adventure. I went back to school in 2023 to study audio engineering and also during this time have doubled down on my writing and have been writing up a storm! Every time I walk into a writers room, I get a rush of anticipation thinking of what is about to happen over the next couple hours. It might with someone I've known for years and consider a good friend, or an acquaintance - maybe a referral with someone I have never met before. Those first few moments when I'm firng up my laptop and tuning my guitar are exciting. I trust the process and know we'll come up with something. If it touches our hearts, it will touch the listeners heart. But one things for certain - It never gets old, and I sure hope I never take it for granted!
Adventures In Songwriting
The Latest
2026 July - Coming Soon!
new album release from Southern Legacy
on Pinecastle Records
Talking 'Bout My Lord, written by Dawn Kenney & Jim Hurst
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May 7, 2026 Empty Pair Of Shoes, new album release from
Claire Lynch
Blue Lights Of Love, written by Claire Lynch & Dawn Kenney
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05/08/2026 Love Songs, Torch & Bluegrass, new album release from Mike Mitchell
Love Came True & Bottom Of The Bottle, written by Mike Mitchell & Dawn Kenney
Why Old Men Cry, written by Mike Mitchell, Brent Baxter & Dawn Kenney
1/13/2026 Dawn Signs publishing deal with
Dawn with Donna Ulisse and Doyle Lawson, at Tall Oaks Music, Lebanon, TN
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11/08/2024 Wishes Never Gone, New Album Release
from Dean Mueller on Ripping Glass Records
"Hold On And Don't Let Go", "Bulleit Train"
written by Dean Mueller, Kevan Kirk and Dawn Kenney
05/2023 Fathers & Sons, New Album Release
from Mike Mitchell Band on Turnberry Records
"Making Hay", "Uncommon Man" & "Fly"
written by Mike Mitchell & Dawn Kenney
08/06/2021 "This Life We're Living" new album release
by Darin & Brooke Aldridge
"Living Mama's Dream" written by
Darin & Brook Aldridge, Dawn Kenney & David Morris
09/03/2021, "Leave the Porch Light On"
new album release by
Title Cut: Leave The Porch Light On Written by Kim Robins & Dawn Kenney
Also "Bourbon And Beer" Written by Kim Robins, David Morris & Dawn Kenney
6/22/2021 "People, Place and Songs"
Official Music Video released by
Written by Greg Blake, Dawn Kenney & David Morris
06/12/2020, "I Wave" Official Music Video released by
Written by Abigail Sowell, Jacob Hunter Sowell & Dawn Kenney
05/26/2020, Dawn Featured on
Bluegrass Stories with Katy Daley and Howard Parker Podcast
Listen: https://soundcloud.com/bluegrassstories/dawnkenney
05/14/2020 "I Sing Your Song", re-released as a duet with
Steve Harris & Valerie Smith on Bellbuckle Records
writers: Steve Harris, David Morris & Dawn Kenney
February 2020 - "Grandma's Piano" and "I Wave", released on
Same Kind Of Different - New CD from
"Grandma's Piano", writers: Cindy Sowell, David Morris & Dawn Kenney
"I Wave", writers: Jacob Sowell, Abigail Sowell & Dawn Kenney
2019 IBMA World Of Bluegrass - 09/24 - 09/28
Appearances
03/01/2018 - Title Cut - Dave Adkins "Right Or Wrong"
"Right Or Wrong" written by Dave Adkins, Dawn Kenney & David Morris
is the Title Cut on the new Dave Adkins CD - release date March 9, 2018
01/05/2018 - "Bells Of Home" #19
Bells of Home Back on the Chart for the Second Holiday Season
in a row! Debut in 2018 in the Top 20
12/21/16 - CD Review - Bells Of Home
Chart Action This Month
December 16, 2016
"Turn And Burn" #12
recorded by Dave Adkins
after three weeks on the Bluegrass Today Chart
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" #20
from Bells Of Home CD
on the Bluegrass Today Chart
December 10, 2016
"Something About A Train" #1!
recorded by Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
Charts at #1 - Roots Music Report
on BOTH the Bluegrass & Contemporary Bluegrass ch arts
* New CD - Bells Of Home *
A Circa Blue Christmas w/ Dawn Kenney
The title track and single "Bells Of Home"
written by
Dawn Kenney & David Morris.
Click Here to Download or purchase the CD.
Chart Action This Month
December 16, 2016
"Turn And Burn" #12
recorded by Dave Adkins
after three weeks on the Bluegrass Today Chart
"God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman" #20
from Bells Of Home CD
on the Bluegrass Today Chart
December 10, 2016
"Something About A Train" #1!
recorded by Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike
Charts at #1 - Roots Music Report
on BOTH the Bluegrass & Contemporary Bluegrass ch arts
* New CD - Bells Of Home *
A Circa Blue Christmas w/ Dawn Kenney
The title track and single "Bells Of Home"
written by
Dawn Kenney & David Morris.
Click Here to Download or purchase the CD.
DJs Download here on Airplay Direct
New CD Realease - In collaboration with Circa Blue .
Work on the CD began earlier this year. Dawn has co-written 4 songs on the CD and sings 5 tracks.
Dawn Kenney Songs Playlist
Songs Written & Cowritten
Previous events
CD Review
