Meet Cassia Dawn | Singer/Songwriter

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cassia Dawn and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cassia, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I think people consider risk taking in extremes. Either it’s praised or considered foolish. Risk taking for me has been incremental. I started playing music at open mics when I was 14, played my first paid show when I was 15 at my local farmers market, put out my first album at 19, went to music school at 24, moved to Nashville at 28, put out singles every month when I was 30/31. It wasn’t one big risk all at once. It’s been me trying things and being willing to look foolish to gain knowledge. Sometimes you learn just as much from the mistakes as the successes, but it takes those small risks to have the courage to take more.
I think without taking those risks I would not know I could do as much as I have, because until you do something, it remains a theory.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m so excited for the future! I’m really proud of how my music has grown over the years and how I’m always wanting to expand my experiences. I look back on a girl who had so much passion for music and creativity and I’m grateful that she stuck it out, even though she was rough around the edges, she kept seeking mentorship and growth.
I am where I am because I believe in my heart that songwriting is a gift. That my perspective can be helpful to someone navigating a similar space. That I can bring a sense of camaraderie and hope.
It’s not an easy industry to be in, especially with AI and some select people not wanting to expand the circle. I think any artists has to find their own people and their own way. It’s not about striving for what is working for another person. There are people who need your voice. You just need to find them. Try new things. See what works.
I started out being so excited about my music, then when things got hard, I doubted myself. I recovered, then doubted myself again. If I’ve learned anything about dreams it’s that you will have moments of asking yourself if it’s worth it. It’s not a one time decision and it’s okay if you start a path and realize it’s not for you… but if you’re someone who’s heart beats for that dream then find a way. It may not be the scale you think, but find a way to bring that gift to to those around you.
My life message came in the form of a prayer “Let Me Hear the Music.” It came at a dark time in my life where I was trying so hard to recover from disappointment, but couldn’t seem to. I felt like I had lost the girl who’s optimism had kept me going through the pain. It’s like the train just stopped and I had to appeal to something higher than me. We start with stars in our eyes, but when life gets real it can take the hope from our bones. I believe every person is a “songwriter” living out their song. When things stay difficult for a prolonged period of time, we need to be able to go back to the spark. We need to hear the music again.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I’m in the Nashville area now, so one of my favorite places is the Ryman. It’s my dream venue for many reasons, but the history behind it is the most significant to me. It was built as a place for all people of any race or background to gather.
There are also some good restaurants I would take them (taste of India, Proper Bagel and Thai Samurai)
I would encourage them to come late May early June because the fireflies are hatching but it’s not as hot as further on in the summer.
Lastly, I love the Bluebird. It’s such an intimate listening room where the artists are respected. You have to get tickets in advance, but worth it.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family deserves a lot of credit! Not only did they have to put up with me practicing the same music for hours or asking them to listen to my latest demo, or bringing me tea when I was starting to get frustrated in the process… They also never discouraged me from trying to get into an industry that’s known for it’s difficulty and mental health issues associated. My parents invested a lot of time into teaching me to think critically and to be an individual. They also have a strong belief in God, so they trusted that if that was the path for me, that I would be okay.
Other than that, I would love to shoutout to the town where I’m from! There have been so many supportive people who gave me a chance to play before I had experience or much skill.

Website: https://www.3sistersartists.com/cassiadawn/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassiadawnsingersongwriter/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@cassiadawnsingersongwriter

Image Credits
Shannon Winegar