Kimberley Dawn is a multi-award-winning Canadian country music artist, radio broadcaster, actor, and author from Manitoba. With four albums and now five heartfelt singles to her name, Kimberley has carved a space in the country music world not only through her artistry but through her strength and authenticity.
Following a period of profound personal loss—including the passing of her son, her best friend, her husband Richard in June 2024, and her longtime mentor Ray St. Germain—Kimberley returned to the studio to complete a song years in the making. “Be My Angel,” written in moments of unimaginable grief, is a moving tribute to loved ones who’ve passed and a beacon of healing for anyone who’s experienced loss.
With the support of producer Chris Burke-Gaffney and mastering by Al Hunnie, Kimberley turned her pain into purpose, crafting a song that speaks to the heart and soul. In this interview, she shares the journey behind “Be My Angel,” her creative process, and how music continues to be her guiding light through even the darkest times.
First off, care to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi there, I’m Kimberley Dawn from Winnipeg, Manitoba. “I’m a country music recording artist and this is my 5th single to radio, Be My Angel. I have recorded 4 albums, which are all on your streaming formats. I also have some super cool videos which you can view on YouTube.
I am also an actor, author, and radio personality in Dauphin, Manitoba. When I’m not doing my radio show, I am a full-time care worker and have a level 5 residential home.
You can always find out more on my website kimberleydawn.com
Tell us a bit about your recent release.
This new release is a special one to me as it is my first write. My son passed away in 2013, and after they had tried to revive him, I lay on the floor beside him and said, Now that you are going to heaven, now you can be momma’s angel. It sat with me for many years, and I had only penned BE MY ANGEL.
In 2023, my best friend, lead guitar player, mentor, and fiddle extraordinaire Clint Dutiaume, called me when I was at the Gala dinner for the Canadian Country Music awards. He had been diagnosed with cancer, and it did not respond to treatment, and now he would be heading into palliative care. I was his power of attorney and was by his side when the doctors said there was nothing else that could be done.
I looked at him and asked what I could do for him. He smiled and said there is nothing else you can do for me but be by my side when I make my journey, then he asked, What can I do for you? It was then I looked him in the eyes with tears in mine, I said, “When you get to heaven, give my son a kiss and hug for me. And when you get to heaven, be my angel and watch over me. He smiled and said, “ I can do that.” Clint passed January 14, 2023, four days after his 59th birthday. After I left the hospital that day, I came home and went straight to my computer, and it all just came. The blank page simply said, Be my angel. I sat down and boom, 10 minutes later the song was written.
We had just laid Clint to rest, and I was picking up the pieces when another tragedy struck. My mentor, boss, and best friend Ray St Germain was becoming tired and was dealing with dementia and Parkinson’s. He needed extra care and in December 2023 he was admitted to Deer Lodge hospital for the remainder of his days. I visited him every Saturday and we would listen to his radio show that he had created and had been a part of for 25 years. I had been his co-host on several occasions, and I loved spending time with the legend and his stories of the old days in radio and in music. These memories will last a lifetime.
June 5th, tragedy struck again. My husband of 20 years suffered the” widow maker, “ a massive heart attack walking back from the mailbox. I called 911, and he was rushed to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery to try and repair the damage done to his heart. Our family gathered -our 3 children, our grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His brothers and sisters. We were gifted 24 more hours to say our good by. June 7 at 1:10 am, my husband was removed from life support, and he quietly passed with his family beside his bed when he made his journey.
I couldn’t breathe, I couldn’t catch my breath. He was gone. Just like that, gone. Whirlwind, that is the only way I can describe it. I never knew so much loss and so much pain. I was confused and broken. What do I do now????
The few days after the passing of my husband, I got the call that Ray St Germain was starting to make his journey. I rushed to Deer Lodge, where I was able to say my final goodbyes and be with his family. 19 days after the passing of my husband, I lost another great friend.
Lost, broken, confused, just some of the emotions through which I was going. The grief process is different for everyone, and I knew I had to release this song.
Both my husband and Ray St Germain had heard the demo reel of Be My Angel and said I should record and send it out to the radio. Ray St Germain said, “You got a hit here, kid!”
I reached out to my good friend and producer, Chris Burke Gaffney, and told him I had written a song.
How do you typically go about the songwriting process? Do you have a specific method or creative routine that you follow?
I have never written a song from start to finish. I am a performer and singer, but not a songwriter. I guess they say put in certain circumstances, some things just come naturally. When Clint passed away, this song was just there. I had never had any intention of doing a demo or even recording it, never mind sending it to the radio. I knew this song would be a hard song to get ads on Canadian Country music radio. But I figured with my 4 angels now in heaven, I just needed to do it.
This song was on a blank piece of paper for many years, and when Clint passed, for some reason, the song came to me. This song needed to represent that our angels are watching over us. I needed some kind of perspective, and writing this song brought it all to light.
This song reminds you that when you find a dime, or a feather, or even the wind changes direction, that is our angels. They are watching over us and are guiding us. As much loss as I have suffered, I know this to be true for so many others.
This song was a total gamble. I knew if I took it to the right people that maybe, just maybe this song could bring peace and love to someone else suffering the loss of a loved one.
You have “Go Rest High,” “Amazing Grace,” and now, “Be My Angel.”
After the demo, I called my good friend and legendary producer Chris Burke Gaffney. We had worked together on a couple of projects, and I loved the magic that this man could bring to a song. I cannot take all the credit for this song. If it were not for the expertise of Chris Burke Gaffney bringing his professionalism, wisdom, and talent to this song, I don’t believe that I could have been able to get the message across in this song without him. He took the lyrics, rearranged them, so they made sense to the music. Then we got into the studio to create some magic. One of the hardest songs I think I have ever recorded.
I’m sending this song out to all who have lost a loved one. I send it with love and respect. I hope it brings you peace and love in your most trying times.
Looking ahead, what are your plans for supporting this new release? Are there any upcoming tours, music videos, or additional content that fans can look forward to in connection with this project?
It’s been a trying year for me, and I still have not gotten my bearings. I have had the opportunity to do a live video, and it can be viewed on YouTube, Kimberley Dawn Be My Angel.
I hope you will check it out. I have not booked any dates to tour this song this year, and I am having to take the time to focus on healing. There are days when I just want to “GET OVER IT,” but my body tells me different. I would not want to book shows only to find that I could not bring 100% to the stage. I’m working on more writings and hope to make guest appearances, but currently have no significant updates. Right now, I just need to heal and will be taking the time to do so. What does my music career path have for me in the future? I’m not sure yet, but you can guarantee that with a little time, I will be back on stage doing what I love.
Looking back on your musical career, is there a particular moment or accomplishment that you consider a turning point or a highlight?
I think we sometimes forget some of the best things that happen in our music careers, as we are always searching for the next big gig. But my story goes back to 2013. I had just released “ Til the Cowboys Come Home,” which is my biggest hit to date.
It was to be my biggest tour, and I was loaded with the best musicians in Manitoba and Canada. Clint and Tom Dutiaume, Keith Dutiaume, all family members, along with Diana Desjardin, we all hit the road and spent most of our summer visiting amazing communities in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Our Calendar was packed. With every show, we got tighter, and the audiences were beyond believable. It was an experience of a lifetime. But I think the one thing that sums it up is that I was on the road with musicians who were like family. The practical jokes, the bonding over music, and the memories made that summer would last my lifetime. The band was tight, the harmonies were out of this world, and we were making a mark on Canadian music. It was the best year of my life in my musical career.
Last, but not least, it’s time to pay it forward. What upcoming band or artist would you recommend your fans check out?
As a radio broadcaster and a person who has most of her radio career supported Manitoba Made / Manitoba Proud artists, I think this year you really need to keep your ears open for some amazing Manitoba music coming down the pipes this year. My first recommendation, a girl who truly supports women, has a heart of gold, a killer voice to match, would be Brandi Vezina. She is an independent artist who is working her butt off writing and touring and doing it all by herself. For her day job, she is an amazing teacher! You need to check her out.
Quinton Blair is another amazing artist from Manitoba with his brand-new single, Shift Work. This song will have ya tearing up the dance floor in a two-step. He has been touring, and I know his summer is jam-packed. I could go on and on about the great musicians that we have here in Manitoba. As I have travelled coast to coast, the one thing we can all agree upon is that Manitoba is the melting pot of great musicianship. Head to the Manitoba Country Music Association FB page and or website to find all the great Manitoba artists!