Conversations with Colin this August

Texas Headhunters is a new supergroup made up of three acclaimed Texas guitarists: Jesse Dayton, Ian Moore, and Johnny Moeller. Though each has a distinct style, they are united by their deep roots in Texas blues and their shared mission to expand the boundaries of American roots music. All three were among the last musicians to be personally mentored by the late Clifford Antone, the legendary Austin club owner who helped shape generations of blues talent. Their debut album, recorded in just five days at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio, captures that raw, collaborative energy. They’ve also toured with Samantha Fish and released official videos to support the project.

From Beaumont Texas, Jesse Dayton began playing guitar with country legends like Waylon Jennings before branching into punk, film, and horror soundtracks with Rob Zombie. He later became a driving force in modern blues rock, collaborating with Samantha Fish on their Grammy-nominated Death Wish Blues and releasing his acclaimed 2024 solo record The Hard Way Blues. Dayton scored a No. 1 Americana record with Doug Sahm and recorded “Give Me Back My Wig” for The Young Guns of Texas with Pete Anderson. Dayton, Ian Moore, and Johnny Moeller all knew each other before record deals, connected by Clifford Antone, who discovered Dayton playing at a biker bar at just 15 years old. Antone’s mentorship shaped him profoundly, introducing him to classic blues records and providing a launchpad for The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and others. A lifelong fan of Dave Edmunds and Rockpile, Dayton also recalls seeing Stevie Ray Vaughan live many times as a kid, describing him as “mind-blowing” and beyond comparison to British rock guitarists of the era.

Ian Moore rose out of Austin’s roots-rock scene in the early ’90s, opening for The Rolling Stones, ZZ Top, and Bob Dylan. Over the years, he’s built a diverse catalogue blending blues, soul, and psychedelia. Now based on Vashon Island, WA, he is also the President and co-founder of SMASH (Seattle Musicians’ Access to Sustainable Healthcare) and serves as a Grammy Governor. Texas Headhunters Inspiration: The band originally cut three songs a year earlier, but Moore wasn’t sure if he wanted to commit to another project. Reflecting on the collaboration, he compares the group’s feel to Rockpile (Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Billy Bremner). While they set out to make a blues record, the final result is more of a roots record with shades of psychedelic blues (from Moore), classic shuffles (from Moeller), and crossover elements that remain underexplored in modern music. Songwriting Contributions: Moore wrote tracks specifically for the Headhunters album. Notably “Kathleen” (originally titled after his wife, Joleen, before she vetoed the idea!) and “Pocket”, a song about family, heritage, and his lifelong commitment to music. Vocal Condition (Spasmodic Dysphonia): Moore openly discussed living with this neurological condition that affects his speaking voice but not his singing voice. Instead of seeing it as a setback, he views it as part of his calling. He stresses that music remains healing and powerful, even more so when artists show vulnerability, he wants his performances to empower audiences, proving that personal challenges don’t define artistic strength. His advocacy extends through SMASH, supporting musicians who often lack access to proper healthcare while on the road.

Johnny Moeller, longtime guitarist with The Fabulous Thunderbirds, is a cornerstone of Austin’s blues scene. Known for his tone, groove, and restraint, he’s backed legends while inspiring younger players. As a teen in the mid-1980s, Johnny Moeller often visited Austin with his brother to see their dad. Already a blues fanatic, he was taken to Antone’s club by his father. One night, Clifford Antone invited him on stage during a Little Charlie & The Nightcats gig. Moeller played guitar while Charlie picked up a harmonica. Clifford was so impressed that he gave him an all-access pass to the club. After finishing high school, Moeller moved to Austin permanently and became embedded in the city’s music community, playing alongside figures like Lou Ann Barton and Stephen Bruton. Though Moeller, Jesse Dayton, and Ian Moore all came up in Austin at the same time, sharing bandmates and stages, they had never formally worked together. Jesse Dayton spearheaded the project, leading to a recording session at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio in February. In just five days, the trio captured the debut album. Moeller stresses that the record isn’t just a guitar showcase — it’s song-driven first, with plenty of firepower but anchored in strong writing.

Read the full interview now – https://www.newportcityradio.org/in-converation-with-colin-texas-headhunters/