Dusty Moats takes you down to the Bayou with his rockin’ new single
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
Down on the Bayou is where this Dusty Moats release lives as the song rocks out with all the trappings of a Louisiana hoe down blended with some Texas twang. Wrapped in a strong hook, a relatable story and a groove that hits just as hard on a back road as it does blasting through radio speakers, Bayou has a radio ready sound just bursting at the seams. The electric guitar intro sets the table for Dusty’s smooth and confident voice to tell the story with a fresh, but familiar punch. Bayou is a rocking standout from his multi-award-winning EP, Under the Neon, produced by Drew Hall at Rosewood Studios in Tyler, Texas. This lively, robust track blends modern Texas country grit with a groovy Louisiana swamp feel, driven by Abel Casillas’ unmistakable squeezebox that gives the tune its swamp-soaked edge. Written by Dusty Moats, Jerry Abbott and Johnny Park, Bayou is about unplugging from the grind, chasing simple moments and finding real time with the one that matters.
I’ve had all of this concrete jungle
A country boy can stand
There’s a Cajun queen that waits for me
Back in Louisian
I long to see that Spanish moss
Hangin’ from a cypress tree
Somewhere deep inside my soul
Black water’s calling me
Rounding out this recording session is Drew Hall, Nick Gardner and Bryce Clarke handling the guitar parts, Aden Bubeck plays bass while Nate Coon pounds out the rhythm on drums. Milo Deering adds an uplifting slide guitar, Travis Bishop is on piano and Bryan Meggison does the horn arrangement.
For over 30 years, Dusty has been crafting his unique sound, a journey that began in the ’90s on stages across Texas honky-tonks, country dance halls and venues around the world. Along the way, he’s shared the stage with an impressive roster of country and rock legends, including Alan Jackson, Kenny Chesney, Gary Allan, Toby Keith, STYX, BB King, Stoney LaRue, Pat Green, Josh Ward, Wade Bowen and many more. Music has always been in Dusty’s blood, influenced early on by his mother’s collaborations with celebrated country and pop artists. His passion for songwriting and performing shines in every show, whether he’s playing acoustically or with a full band, covering fan-favorite hits, or delivering original songs. His high-energy performances keep audiences dancing, singing along and fully engaged.
With two number one hits, Honky Tonk Ways and E, and multiple Top 40 singles on Texas, national, and international radio, Dusty has made his mark on the Texas music scene. His 2024 single, Fender Bender, a collaboration with the Squeezebox Bandits from his EP, Under the Neon, gained worldwide attention and critical praise for its tribute to Hispanic country icon Freddy Fender. Riding that wave of success, his recent single, She Comes to Me, written by country heavyweights Chris Stapleton and Terry McBride, is climbing the Texas and international charts. Meanwhile, the EP’s title track, Under the Neon, written by Brad Russell and Kyle Fambro, recently won Songwriter(s) of the Year from the prestigious Texas Music Chart. With all the momentum behind him, 2026 appears to be a real breakthrough year for Dusty, marking a new high in his career as he continues to captivate audiences and make a lasting impact on country music.