Written by Jane Ponte
Jesse Dayton is a man who has paid his dues. He’s been a working musician for most of his life, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. Despite being a relatively young guy, his star-studded resume reads like some older guy’s—someone who might be resting on his laurels out on a high-falutin’ ranch somewhere, kicking back and reminiscing about the good old days while basking in the fruits of his labor. Not so with Jesse D. In fact, sometimes it seems like he’s just getting started. Every time I check, he’s off on another tour across the United States or Europe, promoting another killer new album or supporting some bad ass artist on theirs, hopping onto a ship for the Outlaw Country Cruise, or rubbing elbows with Willie Nelson and friends at the Luck Reunion or at a political rally. If he’s not doing any of that, he’s back at home in Austin–networking, riding motorcycles, gigging or recording with friends, or off on an adventure with his business partner and talented wife, Emily Kaye, and their beloved black Labrador, Pearl. When it comes to music and causes that he believes in, there’s no stopping this Beaumont native who was at The Mucky Duck in Houston last Saturday night for 2 back-to-back, sold out shows.
Much to the delight of Dayton’s fans (affectionately referred to as his Hardchargers), Dayton brought his rock-solid band with him and hit the stage for the first set to perform some of his “tamer” songs from a career that spans nearly 4 decades. Although I had tickets for the 2nd show, I came early and sat outside on the cozy-yet-spacious deck behind The Duck and had dinner with a friend, eavesdropping on the show going on inside and wishing I’d pulled the trigger on seats for that early show as well. There was nothing “tame” about what was happening inside the venue—JD had his fans in the palm of his hand, and they were definitely buying what he was selling. Every time the back door would swing open, I’d catch a glimpse of Jesse and his standup bass player, Chris Rhoades, doing their thing as the crowd cheered, clapped, stomped and hollered for more. I must admit, I had to slip inside for a couple of tunes because they just sounded so damned good. It’s pretty hard to stay away when JD’s inside throwing down a stellar performance of “I’m at Home Getting Hammered (While She’s Out Getting Nailed).” But for this Hardcharger, the highlight of the first set was a tune from Dayton’s 10th release, “The Outsider,” (2018) an in-your-face, blistering song called “Charlottesville.” This thought-provoking tune recently garnered Dayton some praise from Rolling Stone magazine, and rightfully so. It showcases Dayton’s masterful guitar prowess while simultaneously revealing a side of Dayton that is passionate and unafraid to speak out against tyranny and injustice, especially when it is happening in a country that he knows and loves with all his heart. Every time the door swung open and I heard JD wail, “You’d better rise up to the power, this ain’t no time for cowards,” I inched a little closer until I couldn’t resist it any longer and had to slip inside to hear the rest of this relevant, scorching tune.
Finally inside for the 2nd show of the evening, I settled in as Dayton kicked it off with a rollicking tune about his beloved father, “Daddy Was a Bad Ass,” from his 2016 release, “The Revealer.” The house was already charged up by the time he finished, and as fans continued to shout out requests and buy drinks for Jesse and the band, it was clear that it was time to hang on and enjoy the ride. JD has the uncanny ability to bring folks from all walks of life together for the collective purpose of rocking their asses off and forgetting their troubles, regardless of race, age, socioeconomic status or political affiliation. His audience is always an eclectic mix of working class and professional folks whose primary concern is basking in Dayton’s honky-tonk, rockabilly, punkish, roots & blues vibe while having a good time. It is obvious that Dayton refuses to be pigeon-holed as a musician, and as he effortlessly glided from one great song to the next, with hilarious and heartwarming stories from his colorful life woven in between, the nearly 2-hour 2nd show of the evening was over much too soon.
Never one to forget his roots or the people who have helped him along the way, Dayton was quick to thank his drummer and friend of many years, Kevin Charney, for his friendship and his service as the band’s drummer for countless tours across Europe and the States and everywhere in between. Charney, a native of Atlanta, has decided to embark on other projects that will keep him closer to his family and away from the pressure that Dayton’s rigorous touring schedule entails. This made Saturday evening’s shows a tad bittersweet for Dayton, Rhoades, and Charney, as well as for the fans who have come along as this trio has traversed the globe and the high seas, playing the music that they know and love and entertaining thousands of music lovers, many who have become good friends. Although Dayton has played with legends—Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, and dozens of others—the friendship between Dayton, Rhoades, and Charney was palpable as they closed their final show at The Duck as a trio with a beautiful, rockin’ rendition of Townes Van Zandt’s “Pancho and Lefty.” It brought their appreciative and somewhat misty-eyed crowd to their feet, cheering for this talented trio, and wishing that this evening of killer tunes and camaraderie would never end.
If you’ve never seen a live Jesse Dayton show, I strongly suggest that you do yourself a favor and catch him out there somewhere at a music venue near you. It won’t be tough to do—Dayton is a man in motion who is heading to the UK in June, with Houston’s own Mike Stinson capably handling the drumming duties in Kevin Charney’s place, and Chris Rhoades doing what he does best—slapping that beautiful stand-up bass. These shows will undoubtedly sell out, but Dayton will be back the States and touring the West Coast soon after, and the East Coast shortly after that. You can check his schedule at jessedayton.com, and if you live in Texas, you won’t have to wait too long before Beaumont’s Favorite Son is back in town and layin’ it down at an awesome venue near you. Equal parts sweetness and swag, brains and bravado, Jesse Dayton is a force to be reckoned with, and a blast to watch on stage. Go getcha some—you’ll be glad you did.