The Voice of Opportunity: PLNU Student Profile

“I knew from that moment on I was a musician,” says Dawson Daugherty. It’s not often that college students make it in the world of music, let along perform on live television. Dawson Daugherty is a junior at Point Loma Nazarene University, from San Marcos, California, and is a talented singer-songwriter who has already performed at venues such as the Del Mar Race Track, The Casbah and The House of Blues.

He has produced multiple songs on large music networks and has sung for the television series “The Voice.” Dawson knew he was destined for music from a young age, “I remember I was seven years old and driving home from baseball practice when I heard God just tell me that I was going to be a musician. Ever since that moment, I pursued music wholeheartedly,” he says.

Dawson started from humble beginnings picking up singing opportunities from birthday parties, leading worship at his local church and singing at local charity events. It wasn’t until Dawson was featured on the television show “The Voice,” that he received his big break. “’The Voice’ was when my music career really started to take off. Being surrounded by so many talented musicians gave me the exposure and the confidence I needed to pursue music,” he says.

“The Voice” is an American singing competition television series broadcasted on NBC. The singers perform through multiple rounds and the winner is decided by the public vote through social media. The winner of “The Voice” receives over one-hundred-thousand dollars and a record deal with Universal Music Group. “’The Voice’ is kind of a big deal,” said Daugherty. Although Dawson only sang through two rounds, the television exposure gave him the connections and confidence needed in his music career. “With or without winning, I am signing a record label and playing shows across the country with my band Almost Monday. I couldn’t have asked for more,” he said. He aspires to produce music full-time and go on tour within the next year. Dawson’s band, Almost Monday is currently recording an album to be released at the beginning of next year. “I know that music is my calling, it’s like a rhythm inside me that I can’t keep quiet. I am not scared for the future because I know it is what I am designed to do,” he says.

By: PLNU sophomore, Maya Harrison