Jeff Dayton releases When It’s Cold In Texas
By Alan Shipston for Country Music News International Magazine
Jeff Dayton has a new release on Beach Creek Records titled, When It’s Cold In Texas, from his new album, Songs From The Walnut Room. This is Dayton’s 18th album and while speaking with him by phone, he mentioned that it took Willie Nelson eighteen albums to finally break through with Red Headed Stranger, hinting that this was his year. When It’s Cold In Texas is a fine recording by an artist who knows his way around the industry after years of success. The song pulls on the heartstrings as the lyric tells the tale of weather and romance intersecting each other as the Texas temperature dips low. A double stop electric guitar sets the tone in the intro so Jeff can skillfully sing a well written first verse,
When it’s cold in Texas, it cuts right through your clothes
The cows crowd together and lovers hold each other close
There’s frost on the windows, the blankets aren’t enough
When it’s cold in Texas, that’s when I miss your love
There’s an easy familiar rhythm to When It’s Cold In Texas and Jeff sells the song with his warm and gentle voice. Mike Johnson’s steel guitar high lights the chorus as Lonnie Wilson keeps time on the drums. Dow Tomlin is on bass, Jason Roller on electric guitar and Scott Joyce plays piano.
I wish that we were somewhere warm, laughing in the sun
Making memories like we used to do
There’s snow on the hilltops and ice along the coast
When it’s cold in Texas, that’s when I need you most
With a strong crew of session musicians, the self-penned song has the trademarks of a great production and a good creative arrangement that stays within the boundaries of solid country. Jeff Dayton is a seasoned pro having spent fifteen years as bandleader for Hall of Fame legend, Glen Campbell. In addition, he wrote the song, Any Old Time for George Strait and two of his songs recorded by Case Hardin have reached number one on the Texas charts. Jeff has also toured with Kenny Chesney and played gigs backing Wille Nelson, Vince Gill, Bo Diddley, Dizzy Gillespie and Toby Keith. He has done TV and film work on Hawaii Five-O, Nashville and the Netflix series, Messiah.
Born and raised in rural Minnesota, Jeff got his interest from his Mom’s diverse record collection comprising Country, Dixieland, Caribbean and Calypso styles. His musical journey continued to Arizona where a meeting with Glen Campbell would change his career arc. In 2000, Jeff made the move to Nashville as he continues to embrace the vibrant creative community.
If you give, When It’s Cold In Texas a listen, you’ll hear years of hard work and honest experience shining through.