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<\/a>Jesse Dayton is a man who has paid his dues. He\u2019s been a working musician for most of his life, and he\u2019s showing no signs of slowing down. Despite being a relatively young guy, his star-studded resume reads like some older guy\u2019s\u2014someone who might be resting on his laurels out on a high-falutin\u2019 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\u2019s just getting started. Every time I check, he\u2019s 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\u2019s not doing any of that, he\u2019s 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\u2019s no stopping this Beaumont native who was at The Mucky Duck in Houston last Saturday night for 2 back-to-back, sold out shows.<\/p>\nMuch to the delight of Dayton\u2019s 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 \u201ctamer\u201d songs from a career that spans nearly 4 decades. Although I had tickets for the 2nd<\/sup> 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\u2019d pulled the trigger on seats for that early show as well. There was nothing \u201ctame\u201d about what was happening inside the venue\u2014JD 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\u2019d 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\u2019s pretty hard to stay away when JD\u2019s inside throwing down a stellar performance of \u201cI\u2019m at Home Getting Hammered (While She\u2019s Out Getting Nailed).\u201d But for this Hardcharger, the highlight of the first set was a tune from Dayton\u2019s 10th<\/sup> release, \u201cThe Outsider,\u201d (2018) an in-your-face, blistering song called \u201cCharlottesville.\u201d This thought-provoking tune recently garnered Dayton some praise from Rolling Stone magazine, and rightfully so. It showcases Dayton\u2019s 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, \u201cYou\u2019d better rise up to the power, this ain\u2019t no time for cowards,\u201d I inched a little closer until I couldn\u2019t resist it any longer and had to slip inside to hear the rest of this relevant, scorching tune.<\/p>\n Finally inside for the 2nd<\/sup> show of the evening, I settled in as Dayton kicked it off with a rollicking tune about his beloved father, \u201cDaddy Was a Bad Ass,\u201d from his 2016 release, \u201cThe Revealer.\u201d 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>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\u2019s 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\u2019s rigorous touring schedule entails. This made Saturday evening\u2019s 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\u2014Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Ray Price, and dozens of others\u2014the friendship between Dayton, Rhoades, and Charney was palpable as they closed their final show at The Duck as a trio with a beautiful, rockin\u2019 rendition of Townes Van Zandt\u2019s \u201cPancho and Lefty.\u201d 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.<\/p>\n