He is a guitarist, singer-songwriter and actor who was born in Philadelphia and attended the Philadelphia Conservatory. By the mid-1930s he was singing and hosted the radio show Trisco Time with Mark Dawson.
He moved to New York after encouragement by his voice coach and won a part in a Broadway production and for a time he was represented by Cubby Broccoli. He subsequently went on to be on the cast of several Broadway musicals and at one point toured with Liberace.
He received a Theatre World Award for his role in High Button Shows and made appearances in films including King of the Wind and Heart Like a Wheel.
When World War II came around he enlisted with the Marines and performed in a band led by Bing’s brother Bob Crosby.
After the war he continued acting but also worked with the singer Hoyt Axton, writing and co-writing several of his songs.
He passed away in Vass, North Carolina, when he was 86 years old.
Hoyt Axton Recordings
Little White Moon (Mark Dawson )
MCA Records MCA-40731, MCA 1167)(Double-A)( US promo 45)
Where Did the Money Go (Mark Dawson /Hoyt Axton)
(Jeremiah Records JH 1008)(Double A)(US promo 45)
Source:
- http://www.nccommunityfoundation.org/the-back-story/agency-endowment-is-a-tribute-to-friendship
- http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0206198/bio?ref_=nm_ov_bio_sm
- https://www.discogs.com/artist/1190523-Mark-Dawson-4
- http://www.allmusic.com/artist/mark-dawson-mn0000095573/credits
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southbound_(Hoyt_Axton_album)