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Kevin's Delight

Still Following His Dream Author: Raquel Haggard
Issue: 2009 June

For his third grade talent show Kevin Dawson wrote and played his first piano composition, “Kevin’s Delight.” “That was when I first knew music was what I wanted to do,” Kevin says.

Four years ago, at age 26, the singer-guitarist was enjoying the culmination of 18 years of hard work and talent. His band, Winter Circle, won the 2005 Battle of the Bands to be named the 97Buzz House Band, their two CDs were licensed with MTV and they won a contest on garageband.com with over 200,000 contestants. Kevin quit his job and sold his house and belongings to go on tour. “I was following my dream,” he says. “Then I started having these hip problems.”

Thinking it was an issue with his sciatic nerve, Kevin began seeing a chiropractor, but the pain continued. After suffering increasing hip pain for two years, he was finally diagnosed with Avascular Necrosis, or AVN, in December 2008. According to Dr. Corey Ponder of Edmond’s Sports & Orthopedics Institute of Oklahoma, AVN is a disease that causes the death of bone tissue due to a lack of blood supply.

This progressive disease leads to the bones’ eventual collapse. Most often AVN affects the head of the thigh bone, but can affect other bones also.  It can be caused by excessive alcohol use or by chronic steroid use. “Sometimes we never figure out what caused it,” says Ponder. Kevin says his AVN was likely caused by steroid packs he took for food allergies in early 2007. Doctors describe the pain as similar to that caused by bone cancer. Kevin says mornings are the worst, second only to the pain caused by sitting down and standing up.

Because he has no insurance, Kevin and his wife, Andrea, searched three months for a doctor to take his case pro bono. Then they came across Dr. Ponder.  “It was really fortunate we found him,” Kevin says. Ponder specializes in orthopedic surgery and spends part of his time working in the resident clinic at OU Medical Center.  After first seeing Kevin in his private practice Ponder was able to transfer him to the resident clinic. “He gave me hope when I was running out of hope,” Kevin says of Ponder. Kevin recently underwent two hip placements.

OU Medical Center is covering some costs, but the surgeon, medications and various charges still need to be paid for. The medication Kevin takes at least once per day is $3 per pill. Hoping to cover the costs of the increasing medical bills, Kevin and his wife released a CD titled “Dawson” the first week of May 2009.

“When I was diagnosed I began talking to my friend, James Williams, at Bristol Park Recording in Edmond and he agreed to clean up my songs and put them on a CD,” Kevin says.  

“He has a huge heart,” James Williams says of Kevin. “He’s just one of those people you want to help and encourage.  He’s like your own brother.”  Williams describes Kevin’s music as indie pop rock. “Its thoughtful storytelling.”

“It’s been a struggle for me – watching someone I love so much going through so much pain,” says Andrea, who also sings on “Dawson.” “We just thought it was a minor injury and then it kept getting worse, but I’m amazed by his strength and courage,” says Andrea. “It’s inspiring to me.”

“It’s been a humbling experience,” Kevin says. Unable to stand or work, he had no money for rent and bills and began living on credit cards. “I was just staying on people’s couches, mostly my sister’s,” says Kevin. “I’ve always been a hard worker so this has just been really humbling.” Several musicians stepped up to help with his CD and others have even provided money and groceries when needed.

“I’ve really been blown away by what he’s been able to do – release an album and write all these songs. Most people might sit around, but not Kevin.  It’s amazing to me,” says Jesse Davis, formerly of the
band, The Nixons.

“It’s been devastating, but these guys have saved me,” Kevin says of his new band, The Dawson Project. Jesse Davis, Adam Croom and Eric Gameros agreed to play with Kevin on his CD.  “We’ve just morphed into our own band now. They’ve been patient with me and practice is something to look forward to rather than staring at the wall all day,” says Kevin.

Kevin says AVN has changed his music. He’s written over 150 songs during the past year which he hopes to sell. “This is more acoustic, heartfelt music. It’s totally changed my writing style and me as a musician,” Kevin says. “I feel I’m writing the best songs of my life now.”

To purchase “Dawson” or help with medical costs, visit www.dawsonproject.net.