Dawn Cooksey

Artist Information

Biography

Singer-songwriter/guitarist born in Dayton, Ohio and now residing in Yellow Springs, OH (home of Antioch College). Lived several years in Austin, Texas and performed as part of folk/alternative/rock band, "Dik Dam Dyk". In Ohio, has been part of a couple bands, "Social Workers with Guitars" and the all female "68 South". Has opened for/shared stage with Carrie Newcomer, Ani DiFranco, Katie Reider, and the Corndaddies. In July 2006, performed for a packed coffeehouse in Bangalore, India. Follow-up album to "no blue sky girl" has recently begun recording process. Also, performing as a trio with Neil Thompson on upright acoustic bass and Tracey Poole on drumset (billed as "Dawn Cooksey and 68 South").

Instrumentation

Dawn Cooksey-songwriting, guitar, vocals, banjo, mandolin, dumbek; Neil thompson-Acoustic upright bass; Tracey Poole-drums and backup vocals

Discography

"they would not understand" now released on compilation CD titled "Sing Out Loud" (available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/tetomasian1)

"no blue sky girl" self-released CD in July 2006
(available at http://cdbaby.com/cd/dawncooksey)

"Nice Kicks" self-released cassette in 1992

Audio

• no blue sky girl
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• Fall
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• said you were crazy
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• Train don't come
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• Goat
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• Right back here again
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• Halfway to Texas
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Lyrics

• no blue sky girl
• Fall
• said you were crazy
• Train don't come

Video

Photo Gallery

Press

• Singer/songwriter/therapist performs at Music Cafe Yellow Springs' Dawn Cooksey writes 'mad, sad and everywhere in between [+ Show ]
  

  By Richard O Jones Staff Writer Friday, December 19, 2008 HAMILTON — "I write songs because...By Richard O Jones
  
  Staff Writer
  
  Friday, December 19, 2008
  
  HAMILTON — "I write songs because I need to," said Yellow Springs singer/songwriter Dawn Cooksey. "I would write them even if I didn't play them for anyone."
  
  It's therapy, she said, and she knows a little bit about that because she is a therapist and a licensed social worker. For a time, she worked for an agency in Hamilton, and through her contacts began performing for the Farmer's Market, which in turn led to her upcoming appearance at the Music Cafe on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
  
  Born in Dayton, Cooksey lived several years in Austin, Texas, where she performed in the folk/alternative rock band Dik Dam Dyk. It was in the Austin open mic nights that she overcame her fear of performing her own songs.
  
  "I didn't think anyone would care about my problems," she said. "I'd be a wreck for days before a gig, but I told myself I'd go every week until I'm not scared anymore.
  
  "It took a long time."
  
  Her songs tend to be sad, mad and everywhere in between, she said. "There have been a few exceptions, but I generally don't write when I'm happy and enjoying my life — which is most of the time.
  
  "There are a few exceptions that blow me away, but happy songs tend to be kind of dorky anyway," she said.
  
  She has a band, 68 South, but she will probably play the Music Cafe alone, or with her upright bass player.
  
  Joining her for the evening will be folk singers Bob Kotz and Steve Adkisson, original music from David Hisch and Briah Lohry, and fingerstyle guitar from Eric Loy.
  
  ____________________________
  
  how to go
  
  WHAT: The Music Cafe
  
  WHERE: Fitton Center for Creative Arts, 101 S. Monument Ave., Hamilton
  
  WHEN: 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 23
  
  COST: No charge
  
  MORE INFO: (513) 863-8873; www.musiccafe.ws

Setlist

Mostly originals with a few diverse covers thrown in. Have covered Bob Dylan, Erykah Badu, John Prine, Justin Timberlake, Patti Smith, John Lennon, Beyonce, Gillian Welch, Sade, Leonard Cohen, Rickie Lee Jones, Prince, Tracy Chapman, Patsy Cline, pj harvey, Lucinda Williams, Stevie Nicks, and EmmyLou Harris.

Basic Requirements

Calendar