Dawn Kenney is an award-winning, roots-driven songwriter whose work bridges Bluegrass, Americana, and Country genres. Known for emotionally honest storytelling and strong melodic hooks, she writes songs that honor tradition while speaking clearly to today’s audiences.

A winner of the MerleFest Chris Austin Songwriting Competition and a featured songwriter at the IBMA World of Bluegrass Songwriter Showcase, Dawn has built a reputation for songs that stand up in a room and translate seamlessly to the stage and studio. Her catalog includes chart-topping and Top Ten releases in the Bluegrass and Americana genres, earning her respect as both a writer and a collaborator.

Currently a Staff Songwriter with Tall Oaks Music in Lebanon, Tennessee, Dawn continues to expand her reach into Contemporary Country, bringing a roots foundation to modern country storytelling.

Known for her steady, collaborative presence in the writing room, Dawn builds songs around the artist’s voice — shaping ideas with clarity, craft, and a shared creative spirit. Whether writing for traditional bluegrass acts or today’s country artists, her focus remains the same: songs that feel real, sing strong, and last.

 

The  song "Something About A Train" was penned with co-writers Mitch Matthews and David Morris

Some Songwriting Highlights 

*March 2016 - Hazel Dickens Song Contest, second place winner - with co-writers David Adkins and David Morris for
"Turn And Burn"

*April 2015 – Merlefest Chris Austin Song Contest Winner – Bluegrass with co-writers David Morris and Mitch Matthews for 
 “Something About A Train”  

*September 2014 – Selected for the IBMA World Of Bluegrass Songwriter Showcase for 
“Something About A Train” 

*March 27, 2013 – Top 5 winner of the 15th Annual Great American Song Contest, in the Special Music Category for 
“Candy Cane Sweetheart” 

*March 30,2013 – First Place winner of the 14th Annual Great American Song Contest, in the Christian/Gospel category for 
“Sing Me Home” 

*November 30, 2012 – Performance at Carnegie Hall of "Sing Me Home"  @ The American Christmas Carol’.
Benefit Concert for Kate Winslet’s Golden Hat Foundation with: Sarah McLachlan, Loreena McKennitt, Andrea Corr & Hayley Westenra.  . 

Dawn's songs recorded by: 

Claire Lynch - "Blue Lights Of Love"
Empty Pair Of Shoes - Release May 2026
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Claire Lynch)

Southern Legacy - "Talking ‘Bout My Lord"
Album TBD - Release July 2026
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Jim Hurst)

Mike Mitchell

Love Songs - Torch and Bluegrass - Release 2026

"Love Came True"
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell)

 "Bottom Of The Bottle"
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell)

"Why Old Men Cry"
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell, Brent Baxter)

Rebekah Speer - "The Breeze That Waves The Flag"
Single Release - Release 2024
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, David Morris, Marc Rossi)

Dean Mueller - "Hold On And Don't Let Go"
Wishes Never Gone - Release 2024
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Dean Mueller, Kevan Kirk)

Dean Mueller - "Bulleit Train"
Wishes Never Gone - Release 2024
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Dean Mueller, Kevan Kirk)

Mike Mitchell Band - "Making Hay"
Fathers And Sons - Release 2023
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell)

Mike Mitchell Band - "Uncommon Man"
Fathers And Sons - Release 2023
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell)

Mike Mitchell Band - "Fly"
Fathers And Sons - Release 2023
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Mike Mitchell)

Greg Blake & Hometown - "The Other Side Of Heaven"
The View From Home - Release 2022
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Ali Shumate)

The Family Sowell - "Slaying Giants"
Story To Tell - Release 2022
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Joshua Sowell, Cynthia Sowell)

Darin & Brook Aldridge - "Living Mama’s Dream"
This Life We’re Living - Release 2021
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Darin Aldridge, Brook Aldridge, David Morris)

Kim Robbins - "Leave The Porch Light On"
Leave The Porch Light On - Release 2021
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Kim Robbins)

Kim Robbins - "Bourbon And Beer"
Leave The Porch Light On - Release 2021
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Kim Robbins, David Morris)

Greg Blake - "People Places And Songs"
People Places And Songs - Release 2021
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Greg Blake, David Morris)

The Family Sowell - "I Wave"
Same Kind Of Different - Release 2020
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Jacob Sowell, Abigail Sowell)

The Family Sowell - "Grandma’s Piano"
Same Kind Of Different - Release 2020
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Cynthia Sowell, David Morris)

Steve Harris & Valerie Smith - "I Sing Your Song"
Single Release - Release 2020
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Steve Harris, David Morris)

Dave Adkins - "Right Or Wrong"
Right Or Wrong - Release 2018
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Dave Adkins, David Morris)

Jim Hurst Trio - "This Waltz Is For You"
JHT-1 - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Jim Hurst, Keith Little)

Circa Blue - "Bells Of Home"
Bells Of Home, A Circa Blue Christmas with Dawn Kenney - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, David Morris)

Circa Blue - "Candy Cane Sweetheart"
Bells Of Home, A Circa Blue Christmas with Dawn Kenney - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Joyce Kenney, Judith Grise)

Circa Blue - "Christmas In The Keys"
Bells Of Home, A Circa Blue Christmas with Dawn Kenney - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, David Morris)

Circa Blue - "Happy Birthday Jesus"
Bells Of Home, A Circa Blue Christmas with Dawn Kenney - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Steve Harris)

Circa Blue - "I Sing Your Song"
Once Upon A Time - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Steve Harris, David Morris)

Circa Blue - "Tripped, Stumbled And Fell"
Once Upon A Time - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Rick Lang)

Dave Adkins - "Turn And Burn"
Dave Adkins - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Dave Adkins, David Morris)

Dave Adkins - "Russell Fork River"
Dave Adkins - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Dave Adkins, David Morris)

Valerie Smith & Liberty Pike - "Something About A Train"
Small Town Heroes - Release 2016
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Matt Merta, David Morris)

Jim Hurst - "All Of This And Just One Man"
Looking Glass - Release 2014
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Jim Hurst)

Dawn Kenney - "Sing Me Home"
Sing Me Home - Release 2012
(Writers: Dawn Kenney)

Dawn Kenney - "One Step Ahead Of The Rain"
Sing Me Home - Release 2012
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, John McAuliffe)

Dawn Kenney - "Out The Door"
Sing Me Home - Release 2012
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Louisa Branscomb)

Dawn Kenney - "Unexpected, Ordinary, Unimagined Life"
Sing Me Home - Release 2012
(Writers: Dawn Kenney)

Dawn Kenney - "Reach High"
Sing Me Home - Release 2012
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Elizabeth Disessa)

Nancy Beaudette - "Hard Times"
Honestly - Release 2010
(Writers: Dawn Kenney, Nancy Beaudette)