Jesse Daniel

My self-titled debut album turns 8 today! It was a homespun effort in many ways; Jodi on backups, my dad playing lead solos on “Soft Spot” and “Hell Bent”, and me on drums + all the other lead and rhythm guitar. My dear late friend Bruce Wandmayer played steel and sax on it (rip). Jodi and I both worked full time jobs during the day, then would head to the studio at night to record. We crowdfunded the whole thing and even did raffles at our shows to raise money for it. This album marks the beginning of making music my full time pursuit and source of livelihood. No label, no PR team, no nothin’!! Just Jodi and I, screen printing shirts in our living room and mailing copies to radio stations in hopes of airplay. We were figuring it out and using our DIY work ethic to do it every step of the way. Making the transition to working as a musician full time, I experienced lots of financial struggle. I still owed thousands in legal fees from my past and was barely scraping by - something I’d been used to for a very long time. I’d sell (and trade) these vinyl records for firewood to heat our home, food to eat and gas my truck. I started playing everywhere and anywhere I could to make ends meet as a musician, often taking odd jobs from generous friends who threw me random construction or ranch work when I really needed it. This record encapsulates a time where all I had was a dream and to look at where it has taken me is truly amazing. I want to thank my friend Henry Chadwick for engineering and co-producing this record with me, all my friends who played on it and who believed in it. Thanks to Jodi for believing in my path and never doubting me for a second. Thanks to my hometown supporters and to KPIG Radio for always playing these songs. Many thanks to Luke at Vinyl Cup for sending me this picture and to Tyler Childers for being the man.

https://youtu.be/3_EDvYG3kh8?si=QKldNFNLKs-kwAdc

Jesse Daniel - “Soft Spot (For The Hard Stuff)” live in Santa Cruz CA The crowd sings every word to “Soft Spot (For The Hard Stuff)” by Jesse Daniel. Video from 2024 at The Catalyst n Santa Cruz, CA

The Son of the San Lorenzo is headed back home to the mountains on August 1st to play the SCM Brewgrass Fest in Felton, CA! Tickets are now on sale so be sure to get yours at jessedanielmusic.com/tour

Happy Birthday to my buddy Dusty Slay! Here’s a photo of us at a Nashville show in 2022. Some people don’t know it, but my song “Workin’ Hard (Day and Night)” is about him. He asked me if I’d write a song for his new comedy special titled “Workin’ Man”, so Jodi and I started writing and the rest is history. That was my first song to ever be on Netflix and I’ll always be thankful for that.
Another little known fact is that he can heard on my latest album “Son of the San Lorenzo” as a hidden extra track, but only in vinyl!
Anyway, Dusty is a true original and it’s an honor to know em. Go check out his latest special “Wet Heat” on Netflix! 👋

One of the coolest places I’ve ever got to play country music. In an old church in the fjords of Norway. Amazing people.

Kyrkjekonserten.
(Foto: Hanne Karin Sunde/NCT)

I’m Texas bound! Lookin’ forward to playing at Still Rammin’ Fest at Gruene Hall in Gruene, TX this Sunday at 5:30 PM. The lineup is stacked, great music all day long. Plus it’s for the good cause of raising awareness for addiction and mental health for musicians. The Sims Foundation does a lot for Austin musicians and it’s an honor to be a part of this festival. See y’all soon!

Rest In Peace to a true legend in Country Music, one of my favorite artists and probably one of my earliest influences in the genre.

Jody Like a Melody Provided to YouTube by Columbia Nashville LegacyJody Like a Melody · David Allan CoeOnce Upon a Rhyme℗ 1975 Sony Music EntertainmentReleased on: 1975-03-01Co...

In case you missed it, my song “That’s My Kind Of Country” was featured in the latest episode of CBS’s hit show Fire Country. Check it out on Season 4, Episode 15!

European Tour 2026 has just been announced! I’ll be headed overseas with my band to bring you our kind of country music. I’ll have Cash Murretta joining us too, so tag a friend and let us know what shows we’ll be seeing you at👇 Tickets are now on sale at jessedanielmusic.com/tour