Jesse Dayton is an American musician, actor and record producer from Austin, Texas, who is best known for his guitar contributions to albums by country legends such as Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and Willie Nelson. He is also notable for his collaborations with horror film director Rob Zombie, who has commissioned Dayton on multiple occasions to record music and act in his films.
Dayton started playing guitar at the age of 15, inspired by artists like George Jones, Hank Williams, and the Clash. He began performing at local venues and festivals with rockabilly bands such as the Road Kings and the Alamo Jets, before going solo with his debut album Raisin' Cain in 1995. He has since released several albums that showcase his musical range and talent, such as Hey Nashvegas!, Country Soul Brother, One for the Dance Halls, and Jesse Sings Kinky.
Dayton is not only a skilled guitarist and vocalist, but also a prolific songwriter who writes from his own experiences and emotions. He incorporates elements of country music into his songs, such as storytelling, twang, and rootsy instrumentation. Some of his country-influenced songs are "Daddy Was a Badass", "Possum Ran Over My Grave", "The Way We Are", and "Take Out the Trash". Dayton is a rising star in the country music scene, as well as a force to be reckoned with in the blues and rock genres.