Guitarist Jesse Dayton, known for blending rock and blues, is set to perform in East Tennessee, bringing his signature sound to the Open Chord Stage in Knoxville on Tuesday, September 24. His latest album, The Hard Way Blues, reflects the same energetic fusion of genres that artists like Joe Bonamassa, Tommy Emmanuel, and the late Stevie Ray Vaughan have popularized. Dayton’s powerful guitar style draws from rock, blues, and classic country, similar to the legendary Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. He’s also collaborated with director Rob Zombie on various film projects.
Dayton has a wide-ranging musical career, including critically acclaimed solo albums and tours with John Doe and his band X, as well as Austin’s Supersuckers. His musical journey, rooted in Texas and Louisiana, shaped his eclectic influences. “Growing up on the Texas/Louisiana border, I was exposed to blues, country, and rock ‘n roll,” Dayton shared. “My African American nanny introduced me to local blues legends like Lightning Hopkins and Mance Lipscomb, while my dad went to high school with George Jones. Plus, my older siblings were big into the Rolling Stones.”
Recalling his early career, Dayton said, “I started out making $300 a week playing in an all-Black zydeco band while still in high school, and that led to a session with Huey P. Meaux at 17.” He eventually dropped out of the University of Texas to tour full-time.
For Dayton, the blues is more than tradition — it’s a living, evolving force. “The blues can’t be explained in words; it’s something you feel,” he explained. “Many blues players mimic Stevie Ray Vaughan, but to create your own sound, you have to tune out the obvious influences and play from your gut. If it were easy, everyone would be doing it.”
Last year, Dayton was nominated for a Grammy for Death Wish Blues, a collaboration with Samantha Fish. “That Grammy nomination changed the conversation for future projects,” Dayton said. “But the key to staying authentic is not second-guessing yourself. Samantha and I had a great run together, but now we’re focusing on our solo careers. That said, who knows what the future holds?”
For his latest album, The Hard Way Blues, Dayton worked with Shooter Jennings as producer. “We recorded the album live in just five days with minimal overdubs,” he said. “The songs came together in places as diverse as the piney woods of East Texas and a bar in London’s Camden Town. It debuted at number two on the Billboard Blues Charts, just behind Slash’s new record.”
Looking ahead, Dayton is keeping busy with various projects. He’s recently optioned his third screenplay to a production company, with filming set to begin in Texas this November. Additionally, he’s producing music projects with Ian Moore and Johnny Moeller and working on a duet album with gospel and soul singer Courtney Santana.
Despite his busy schedule, performing live remains Dayton’s passion. “The best part of performing live is getting into that Zen state where you’re fully in the moment,” he said. “When I was younger, I played on a Waylon Jennings record, and he always told me, ‘Be. Here. Now.’ It’s advice I still live by.”
Dayton is particularly excited about returning to East Tennessee, where he feels a deep connection to the region’s musical heritage. “The music fans in East Tennessee are authentic and real, and they expect the same from performers,” Dayton said. “The region’s contributions to blues and bluegrass are incredible.”
As for what fans can expect from his upcoming Knoxville performance, Dayton kept it simple: “It’s going to be a high-energy show. We just played New York City and set the roof on fire. This guitar show will take the audience to places they’ve never been before.”
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