Known as ‘Australia’s favourite cowboy,’ Smoky Dawson was a beloved country and western performer, entertainer and radio star. Dawson was so popular that he even had his own comic strip, which ran from 1952 to 1962 in Australian newspapers and was turned into a series of comic books starting in 1957. Each issue featured an action-packed adventure, with Smoky solving problems, singing a tune, then riding off into the sunset on his trusty horse, Flash. While a Smoky Dawson comic could only have a distinct Australian twist, the cover to issue 10 makes it look like a localised imitation of an American comic, with Dawson's gunslinger stance and imported sheriff badge.

Dawson also starred in The Adventures of Smoky Dawson, a radio show sponsored by Kellogg’s Corn Flakes. Broadcasting on the Macquarie radio network, the serial featured cowboy action and catchy tunes and showcased Dawson’s infectious charm. His cheerful, happy-go-lucky persona made him a popular radio star. Dawson delighted audiences with his acoustic steel-string guitar and yodelling performances, which were inspired by America's singing cowboy, Roy Rogers.