Jesse Dayton (February 2008)

Jesse Dayton was raised in Beaumont in east Texas & was heavily influenced by two artists who lived in the area, George Jones & Lightnin' Hopkins.

Jesse began to play the guitar at the age of fifteen & it was George Jones' raw emotional style that drew him into the world of country music.  When he was old enough, Jesse took trips to Houston to see Townes Van Zandt & Amarillo to see ZZ Top.

Jesse later settled in Austin, Texas where he formed a number of groups including The Midnight Ramblers & The Alamo Jets.

In 1995, Jesse was signed by Justice Records, whose roster included Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson & Waylon Jennings, and saw the release of 'Raisin' Cain', his first solo album which featured guest appearances from several Texas legends including Doug Sahm, Johnny Gimble & Flaco Jimenez.  The album achieved a No.1 position on The Gavin Report's Americana Chart.

The success of 'Raisin' Cane' led to some high profile gigs; President Bill Clinton's Inaugural Ball in 1996, touring with George Strait during 'Strait Fest' (an 18-stadium tour in 1997) & appearances at Willie Nelson's Fourth of July picnic concerts.

Following an appearance on The Crook & Chase Show in 1997, Jesse was invited by Waylon Jennings to play guitar on a studio session for Waylon's 'Right for the Time' album.

Jesse then moved to Los Angeles, recorded a number of albums with his band, The Road Kings and toured with Chris Isaak.  He then saw the release of 'Tall Texas Tales' on his own record label, Bullet Records.

In 2000, Jesse cut a duet with Dwight Yoakam's producer/guitarist Pete Anderson for the album 'Young Guitar Slingers' & sat in on a recording session for Ray Price's 'Prisoner of Love' album.

In September 2001, Jesse's 'Hey Nash Vegas' album was released on Stag Records & included special guests including Mandy Barnett, Jim Lauderdale & The Dixie Chicks.

In August 2007, Jesse Dayton & Brennen Leigh released a duets album entitled 'Holdin' Our Own'.