Devon Dawson is an American singer-songwriter from Fort Worth primarily known for performing in the Western Swing music genre. 

She will appear Wednesday, June 19 at the Quitman Public Library’s summer reading program at 1 p.m.

In 1999, Dawson was performing at an Oklahoma music festival when her impromptu yodeling caught the attention of Riders In The Sky, who immediately thought she was the ideal vocalist to portray the cowgirl ragdoll character Jessie on their upcoming Woody’s Roundup album. Shortly after the release of Woody’s Roundup: A Rootin’ Tootin’ Collection of Woody’s Favorite Songs, Dawson began making public appearances in-character as Jessie The Yodeling Cowgirl

She has been recognized by the Academy of Western Artists as the Female Performer of the Year 2009. She’s noted for her vintage sock-rhythm guitar style, and warm ‘swing time cowgirl’ vocals, which bring to mind legendary B-western ladies of the silver screen. She has performed in and out of that character coast-to-coast, and across the American West, including at the renowned Grand Ol’ Opry in Nashville and at Pixar Studios in Emeryville, Calif. She has appeared onstage at the Bass Hall with Riders In the Sky and Michael Martin Murphey and has performed several dances with the legendary western swing group The Texas Playboys. She is also frequently seen on Encore’s The Westerns Channel, and RFD-TV.