Career
He was an expert in Lincolnshire dialect, and the Lincolnshire folk song collecting of the Australian composer Percy Grainger. He was friends with folklorist/collector Ethel Rudkin, who inspired his interests in folk song and collecting. He helped in organising the Cleethorpes Folk Festival.
During a performance at Howsham Village Hall on 9 November 2013 Dawson collapsed with a heart attack.
He died on 22 November 2013, aged 74, at Scunthorpe General Hospital, Scunthorpe, Lincolnshire. The bulk of Dawson"s folk song collection has not yet been published.
There are a few references in the Roud Index:
As Collector:
Roud#944 The Barley Mow
Roud#346 We"re All Jolly Fellows
Roud#1744 Farmer Giles
Roud#19111 Johnny Poker
As Performer:
Roud#126 The Derby Ram.