Texas Monthly: Jesse Dayton by: Jeff McCord
USA Today: Jesse Dayton & Brennen Leigh, Holdin’ Our Own by: Brian Mansfield
Austin Chronicle: Jesse Dayton and Brennen Leigh are Holdin' Their Own by: Doug Freeman
Austin Chronicle: Jesse Dayton & Brennen Leigh Reviewed by: Jim Caligiuri
Hardchargers,
This week I'm hookin up w/ my ol' amigo Hayes Carll to be in his new video "She Left Me For Jesus". Hayes and I go way back to his earliest beginnings at Wrecks Bell's Old Quarter Acoustic Cafe. He's some how been lumped into the whole Texas Music thing, and although he's accessible to that scene, he just doesn't sound like them. He literally sounds like Townes Van Zant, Guy Clark and Ray Wylie all mixed into one. His song "She Left Me For Jesus" has gained massive controversy from the religious right w/ Jerry Falwell condemning it in his latest newsletter, (I thought that ol' coot was dead?) and radio talk-show host Don Imus saying "it's one the best country songs ever" and the satyrical Onion Newspaper goin nuts over it. Like Hayes, the script has a wicked sense of humor so look for this video soon.
The new Mike Stinson record we've been producing has some of the best songs you've never heard. The songs are so hooky that I literally wake up every mornin' with a different one stuck in my head. The Stinson project has more goodwill around it than anything I've ever seen and because of the caliber of songs, quite a few heavies have stepped up and said they wanna be on the record. We'll let ya know who they are after we push the record button.
This week we return to our legendary dancehall show, THURS. NIGHT at the BROKEN SPOKE in SOUTH AUSTIN, (there's no better place for 2 step lessons, from 8 to 9...and the band plays from 9 'til 12), where we always throw in new songs. Last week was on fire...
SAT. NIGHT in the beloved big city of HOUSTON, TEXAS (w/ our ol' friend Justin Kolb on upright bass), we will blow the doors off of the CONTINENTAL CLUB on Main St. (opener starts around 9:30). Maybe it's from my old RoadKing days there?. Maybe it's just that Houston doesn't give a rat's ass about the cool contest and knows how to get sweaty and throw down? (more Jim Beam will be sold Sat. night at the Continental than anywhere in the city) Either way....I'd just like to let ALL of our loyal Houston fans know that I have been asked to sing the National Anthem at the HOUSTON ASTROS game next week (Aug. 29th). As y'all know, this is a big deal to me 'cause I've been a Stros' fan my whole life....braaaang it!
and oh yea...Hook'em Horns! JD
p.s. We have a few spots on the guestlist for two-step dancers for our show at the Democratic National Convention in Denver. Regardless of your politics, this will be one hell of a historical time to be in Denver, Colorado. If you are a true Solid Chrome Dancer, and are interested in comin' out to Denver (or maybe you live there already?), on Monday night to be our guest, please contact us on myspace.com/jessedayton
p.s.s. R.I.P. Jerry Wexler!
If you're looking at our tour dates wondering what's up (yep, we're usually criss-crossing the country...and we'll be doin more of that for sure) well, we've been busier than you might think...
Just got back from writing some new tunes in Nashville w/ my amigo Trent Summar.
Been in the studio mixing the new Mike Stinson record (the songs Mike wrote for this record are just simply some of the best out there. Willie Nelson just recently raved about Mike in an interview when asked about what new artist he was listening too. And there will be some "surprise guests" on this record as well), and it sounds like a cross between Neil Young's "Harvest Moon" and Willie Nelson's "Phases and Stages".
In other news, two JD songs have been added to Rob Zombies new movie "The Haunted World of El Superbeasto" starring Paul Giamatti and Rosario Dawson. "Dick Soup" from the Banjo & Sullivan CD that I co-wrote w/ actor-friend Lew Temple, and "Roys' Ramble" will be used as the end credits song. Hopefully "The Lost Tapes" (unreleased Banjo & Sullivan) will be released before too long.
Also, if you read The Onion Newspaper (a great source of comedy for sure...the first editor who started the paper is now the head writer for the John Stewart show) look for a special story on me and Sam of Sams' BBQ in Austin Texas, w/ pictures of us at the legendary east-side BBQ joint.
And two things that just happened; we've accepted an offer to perform at the Democratic National Convention in Denver Colorado. I don't talk politics at my shows (go see Steve Earle & Ted Nugent) because I have alot of friends and family who are Democrats AND Republicans. Like my religious beliefs, they are not open for discussion with any Constitutionalist, Conspiracy Theorist, Radical Right OR Left Wingers, or even my smart Libertarian amigos. But all in all, regardless what side you're on, it's gonna be one hell of a historical convention. Last but not least, I'm goin' to Nashville next month to play guitar for Glenn Cambell....remember "Witchita Lineman", "Galveston", "Gentle On My Mind", "Southern Nights".....braaaaang it Glenn!
THIS WEEK...TUESDAY NIGHT in AUSTIN at the CONTINENTAL CLUB for the BUCK OWENS BIRTHDAY BASH, (this show has been goin on for years....it host a big cross-section of musicians playing Buck Owens songs all night w/ a killer back-up band). It benefits the Center For Child Protection.
WED. NIGHT in SPRING, TX, I'm playin' PUFFABELLYS' w/ Davin James starting early at 8:00 pm (this will be an acoustic guitar throwdown...get there early for a good seat)
THURS. NIGHT the JD Band will be hosting Solid Chrome Dance Night from 9 to 12 at the legendary BROKEN SPOKE in AUSTIN w/ new songs!
Adios Mi Amigos, JD
Check out Jesse's list of most influential records, as posted by Artist Direct. Jesse gives his take on each of these classic recordings, from George Jones to the Clash. JD on Artist Direct
Slammin' in the studio with Mike Stinson. Just two shows this week...
It's the Solid Chrome Dance Party at the BROKEN SPOKE in SOUTH AUSTIN TEXAS this THURS. NIGHT from 9 to 12....braaaaaang it!
We return to the Alamo City SATURDAY NIGHT at CASBEERS. They've got a NEW LOCATION at 1150 South Alamo. If you need to call for directions, it's 210-271-7791. They took over an old church, and the acoustics are sweeeet. Me and Brennen, the Hillbilly Princess, will be doing songs from "Holdin' Our Own", as well as some of mine and some of hers. See ya there San Antone!!
love, JD
Just got home from spending a looong day and night at Willie Nelsons' Pednernales recording studios w/ Mike Stinson outside of Austin....the tracks are amazing....Mike will probably be sitting in this weekend w/ me at the Ol' Quarter in Galveston.
Well, it's official....Stag svengali and JD manager Gary Moore has cut a deal for us to perform in Las Vegas at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. These first shows start in Nov. and will continue popping up during Nascar Week, Bike Week, the National Rodeo Finals and a few others. Our last show in Vegas was packed and got killer great reviews from all the press outlets. The band starts rehearsing a special "Vegas Only" show sometime before Nov. Look for a set list chock full of medleys from Raisin Cain, Hey Nashvegas, Tall Texas Tales and Country Soul Brother, as well as picks from our never ending list of classics.
The first week of Aug. I'm heading to Nashville for some writing sessions w/ long time amigo and hit songwriter Trent Summar. Trent wrote the number 1 hit "Love You" for Jack Ingram...not your typical Nashville lyric subject matter...check out Trent Summar and the New Row Mob on myspace and his .com. And, for some "meetings" as well.
In other news, the word from my amigos in LA is that Rob Zombie has animated two hillbilly characters named "Banjo and Sullivan"....we'll tell ya more as this stuff comes in.
This THURS. NIGHT we return to the legendary BROKEN SPOKE in SOUTH AUSTIN, TX. where we play from 9 to 12 for our SOLID CHROME DANCE PARTY (every week we pull out a couple of new tunes for this show just to keep it interesting) and it's becoming one of those shows where you never know who will show up (the Black Crowes, Matt McConaughey, Nora Jones and the list goes on) at the gig.
This SAT. NIGHT it's the only real songwriter/acoustic show I do of late at the OL' QUARTER ACOUSTIC CAFE on GALVESTON ISLAND starting right at 9:00 for a two hour set. This show has become one of my favorites 'cause it usually turns into "all request night" making me dig deep into my bag of tunes. The crowd at this show kicks ass so... braaang it!
Until the next time, JD
p.s. Mama Shy....thanks for the chili and the cornbread (in the shaped of Texas no less!) after Stinsons' session. Well deserved after a loooong lock-out at the studio. Will you cater the Johnny Bush sessions too?
Powerdown your cell phones....close the laptop....in the words of Frank Sinatra...."grab your passports amigos 'cause we're heading south down Mexico way! TEXAS WEEK This Monday myself and two planes full of Hardchargers, (along with all the other Hardchargers that are heading down on seperate flights...we got folks from Salt Lake City, Portland, New York City, LA, Atlanta, Chicago...the list goes on forever and the party never ends), are heading for Puerto Vallarta, (actually Nuevo Vallarta...a few miles down the road from PV), for our annual summer blowout....what's a day in the life on this holiday like?....I like to free-style w/ no plans when i travel...BUUUUT.... if i had to say....wake up late,(10, 10:30), in a 5 star resort right on the beach....grab some mornin' comita, (huevos....tortillas...maybe a Bloody Mary if it's a tough mornin')....either go fishing...surfing....trip-lining thru the rainforest directly behind the hotel or hobbie-cattin'....head to the swim-up bar at the pool for some Ritas and some downtime....maybe hit the Mercado for a little shopping and some dinner or maybe just get room-service...very important part: take a siesta,(remember...siesta then fiesta)....get ready to throwdown at a show w/ me and the band about 9 at the hotel for a couple of hours or more....either hit PV for some clubs or head to the beach for a late night acoustic jam w/ a bartender on the hand....pretty much what we did last summer on our first trip and let me tell ya'll...it didn't suck.
Before we leave we have 2 shows in the ol' homestate....THURS. night we're in SOUTH AUSTIN at the legendary BROKEN SPOKE for our Solid Chrome Dance party that starts at 9:00, (will be jammin' in Mexico until the 28th....so we will NOT be there the following Thurs.), and this Thurs. is a special night that goes until 1:00 a.m.
SAT. NIGHT we're back in my ol' stompin grounds, HOUSTON TEXAS at the world famous CONTINENTAL CLUB w/ opener John Evans starting at 9:30....as always at the CC, this will be a blow-out show...brang it H-town!
ps RIP Tim Russert.
Just got home from the Ink & Iron Festival in Long Beach, California w/ my best and oldest amigos Jason Burns on bass and Eric Tucker on drums. It was quite the mix of RoadKings and JD stuff and thanks to all the people who came out of the woodwork for our set. It was also quite a somber bill to be on. It was the last show w/ the original Hacienda Bros. line-up after the passing of our friend and now legendary Cali-honky-tonker Chris Gaffney (Dave Gonzales played a new song he wrote for Chris and dedicated it to Chris' wife...there wasn't a dry eye in the house). Dave Alvin played a whole set dedicated to Gaff with Chris' accordion sitting on a chair in the front of the stage. Some of Californias' finest talent was there that day, (on stage and in the crowd...songwriter Mike Stinson, Johnny 2 Bags from Social Distortion, the Mother Truckers), so as a Texan it was an honor to be there.
The JD band and all the hardchargers we could load up in 2 planes, take off for Puerto Vallarta, Mexico in 2 weeks for our annual summer suarez. TEXAS WEEK Until then we're hanging 'round Texas workin' on the new record and playin' a few shows...
THURS. we're back at our #1 stomping grounds, THE BROKEN SPOKE, (show starts @ 9 and will go an hour later than usual 'til 1:00 this week), where the crowds just get bigger and bigger.
SAT. NIGHT we're in McKINNEY, TEXAS at HANKS TEXAS GRILL, (that's about 20 mintues north of Dallas on 75...show starts @ 9:00). Our last 2 shows here were off the hook...in other words....braaang it!
Vio con dios mi amigos! JD
ps big love to Shyla and Anissa for the after-show party in LA...y'all rawk.
Well, after the tour, and then flying back to NYC for a private show, the train-keeps-a-rollin. We just received word that there's a good chance we will be participating in a USO Tour of Iraq and Afghanistan. Like most Americans, this is near and dear to my heart and I'm deeply interested to see first hand what's goin on over there w/ our troops. They've asked me to perform "Shipping Out To Iraq Blues". The dates have not been finalized, but we'll keep ya updated.
This THURS. we do a 2-fer...Early THURS. evening we are doing a set in downtown CONROE, TX (just outside Houston) that starts promptly @ 6:00 pm @ HERITAGE PLACE (downtown) This is a killer concert series that these guys have been putting on w/ a seperate show (we'll be heading back to the Spoke!) by Texas legend Johnny "Whiskey River" Bush playing after me. Then later that THURS. night we go on at the greatest honky-tonk of 'em all, the BROKEN SPOKE, playing from 9 to 12 for our weekly Solid Chrome Dance Party. THEN....join us at TROPHIES for a late night dance party with Two Hoots and a Holler.
SATURDAY we do a show like we've never played before. We head to LONG BEACH, CA for the INK & IRON FESTIVAL where myself, Jason Burns, Eric Tucker and JD steel-guitarist, Nate Flemming will play a show on the QUEEN MARY @ 8:00, and for the first time ever we will be mixing selections of JD solo records w/ RoadKings material. These are 2 entities that we always keep seperate, but since we're all gonna be together we thought, "Why not?"....expect a one-of-a-kind show in Cali ya'll!
Adios Mi Amigos! JD
ps. we're looking for some old pictures that we had of the RoadKings w/ the late-great Bo Diddley in College Station at the The Texas Theater. Please send them to us if ya find'em for our archives. Bo's "Mona", "Pretty Thing" and "Who Do Ya Love", we're always favorites to play in the Kings back in the day. Long Live Bo Diddley!