Texas Headhunters
9-11-2025
Texas Headhunters featuring Ian Moore, Jesse Dayton & Johnny Moeller
In 1985, Showdown! united three blues legends: Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, and Robert Cray. Now, in 2025, Texas Headhunters picks up that torch with a fire of its own. Guitarists Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller, and Jesse Dayton - three of Texas’ fiercest fret men and all Antone’s-bred veterans - join forces for a raw, no-frills debut recorded live over five days at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio.
The chemistry is real, and the result is mind blowing.
Twelve tracks capture swagger, soul and deep chemistry, with each artist contributing songs and vocals. From the opening riff of “Pocket” to the smoky coda of “Burnin’ Daylight,” the album blends modern grit with classic Texas blues vibes.
Each track showcases a different edge - Moore’s psych-tinged howl, Dayton’s outlaw storytelling, Moeller’s soulful drawl. Highlights include the redemption tale “Maggie Went Back to Mineola,” the gut-punch blues of “Everybody Loves You (When You’re Down),” and the blistering instrumental “Headhunters Theme.”
Born from decades of friendship, shared stages, and Clifford Antone’s mentorship, this is no nostalgia trip. It’s a fierce, fresh reminder that Texas blues, in all it’s grit and glory, still kicks hard.
It’s not retro - it’s revival. It's not a throwback - it's a throwdown.
And it’s not a tribute - it’s a shot across the bow.
VIDEO
Texas Headhunters featuring Ian Moore, Jesse Dayton & Johnny Moeller
In 1985, Showdown! united three blues legends: Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, and Robert Cray. Now, in 2025, Texas Headhunters picks up that torch with a fire of its own. Guitarists Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller, and Jesse Dayton - three of Texas’ fiercest fret men and all Antone’s-bred veterans - join forces for a raw, no-frills debut recorded live over five days at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio.
The chemistry is real, and the result is mind blowing.
Twelve tracks capture swagger, soul and deep chemistry, with each artist contributing songs and vocals. From the opening riff of “Pocket” to the smoky coda of “Burnin’ Daylight,” the album blends modern grit with classic Texas blues vibes.
Each track showcases a different edge - Moore’s psych-tinged howl, Dayton’s outlaw storytelling, Moeller’s soulful drawl. Highlights include the redemption tale “Maggie Went Back to Mineola,” the gut-punch blues of “Everybody Loves You (When You’re Down),” and the blistering instrumental “Headhunters Theme.”
Born from decades of friendship, shared stages, and Clifford Antone’s mentorship, this is no nostalgia trip. It’s a fierce, fresh reminder that Texas blues, in all it’s grit and glory, still kicks hard.
It’s not retro - it’s revival. It's not a throwback - it's a throwdown.
And it’s not a tribute - it’s a shot across the bow.
VIDEO