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From Glen Campbell to Texas Radio: How Jeff Dayton Built a Career in Country Music

  • Anthony Bonnette
  • Apr 6
  • 5 min read

It ain't every day you get to sit down with a man who's lived through every side of the music industry and still comes out smiling—and pickin'. But that’s exactly what happened when I sat down with Jeff Dayton for the season 2 finale of Come And Pick It. Now I’ve talked to some legends in my time, but Jeff is a different kind of storyteller. He’s part historian, part road warrior, and still chasing new sounds like it’s his first day in a garage band.

The man’s got stories for days, and you’ll hear a whole lot of 'em in this episode. But if you want the short version? Jeff Dayton built a career in country music that spans from honky tonks and jazz clubs all the way to the Grand Ole Opry—and somehow he makes it all sound easy.

Watch the Episode


Chapters and Timestamps

(00:00) Welcome to Come And Pick It – Featuring Jeff Dayton

(01:22) Growing Up in Minnesota and Early Musical Influences

(05:17) Playing in Jazz Bands and the Power of “The Groove”

(08:45) Arizona Days and the Jeff Dayton Band

(13:29) Meeting Glen Campbell & The Career-Changing Call

(17:08) Touring the World as Glen Campbell’s Bandleader

(22:15) Moving to Nashville and the Songwriting Shift

(26:01) Writing for George Strait, TV Shows, and Nashville Cuts

(30:13) Producing Records and Building Studio Dream Teams

(33:49) Chart Success in Texas with Case Hardin

(36:32) Launching Garfunkel, Manilow & Campbell

(40:40) Podcasting: “Count It Off!” and Island Music Vibes

(44:36) Welcome to Ocean Country – Jeff’s Latest Album

(47:18) Hawaiian Roots and Being Named Lokomaika’i

(50:25) Teaching Songwriting with “Making Music Nashville Style”

(55:19) Reflections on Career, Legacy, and What’s Next

(59:23) Outro and Season Wrap-Up

Why You Should Listen

If you’ve ever wondered how to build a career in country music without selling your soul—or if you just want to hear what it’s like to jam with legends, write chart-topping hits, and still find time to teach kids how to write songs—this episode’s for you. Jeff Dayton is a walking masterclass in music and humility, and his stories will stick with you long after the credits roll.

From Minnesota Roots to the Arizona Stage

Before Nashville ever came calling, Jeff was a Minnesota kid with a head full of music. His mom had Johnny Cash spinning right next to Caribbean rhythms, and that eclectic blend stuck with him. Add in some Clapton, Hendrix, and Jerry Reed, and you’ve got a guy who learned early how to blend soul, storytelling, and guitar work that flat-out cooks.

He cut his teeth playing jazz and R&B around the Twin Cities—running with players tied to Dylan and Prince. And yeah, even legends like Dizzy Gillespie and Thad Jones crossed paths with young Jeff. He had groove in his blood long before he ever packed up for the desert.

Out in Arizona, he formed the Jeff Dayton Band and built something real. We're talkin’ a regional #1, opening for Merle Haggard and The Judds, and picking up awards like "Best of the Decade." But the real twist? Glen Campbell was in the crowd one night—and the next night too, by pure fate. That second night, they jammed at a Jack Nicklaus grand opening, and shortly after, Jeff got a call that would change his life.

Life on the Road with Glen Campbell

Fifteen years. That’s how long Jeff served as Glen Campbell’s bandleader and guitarist. Let that sink in. This wasn’t just a tour gig—he was part of Glen’s inner circle, shaping shows, making arrangements, and traveling the world. From late nights on the bus to standing ovations at sold-out theaters, Jeff’s fingerprints are all over those legendary years.

He doesn’t talk about it with ego. He talks about it with gratitude. You can hear it in his voice when he shares what Glen taught him—not just about music, but about being a man of integrity in an industry that’ll test every ounce of it.

Nashville Chapters and Chart-Topping Cuts

In 2000, Jeff moved to Nashville, ready to start a new chapter. He plugged into the songwriter scene fast—writing for houses like Wrensong, Glen Campbell Music, and Curb Records. His songs found homes with George Strait, Doug Stone, and Sarah Darling. And even landed on Hawaii Five-O. That’s not luck. That’s knowing how to write a song that cuts through.

He’s also produced tracks for Buck Owens, The Kingston Trio, and Sony Music artist Matt Stell. Jeff’s not just in the studio to push buttons—he’s building teams, crafting tones, and drawing performances out of artists that they didn’t even know they had in 'em.

Chart Heat in Texas Country

Now Jeff’s making waves in Texas, penning hits with red-hot artist Case Hardin. “Are You With Me” hit #1 on the Texas Regional Radio Report, and “Stoned” did the same not long before. These aren’t one-offs. Jeff knows how to write for the dancehalls and the dust—and that Texas sound is lucky to have him.

Beyond the Stage: Podcasting, Island Life, and a New Album

Jeff recently launched a podcast called Count It Off! that’s spinning on tropical music stations while it builds out for Spotify and Apple. It’s storytelling with a beat—“Podcasts & Fresh Tracks,” as they call it.

Count It Off! airs every Monday at 6pm CT on DocksideLive.com and Wednesdays at 7pm CT on BeachfrontEntertainment.com.

He also co-founded a new live show called Garfunkel, Manilow & Campbell, featuring musicians from those iconic bands. Their first couple of shows sold out fast, and more are on the books for summer.

Oh, and he’s got a new album out—Welcome to Ocean Country, a 14-track collection soaked in sun and soul. That tropical influence? It’s no gimmick. Jeff’s got deep ties to Hawai’i and was even given the name Lokomaika’i, meaning kind-hearted. He’s played across four islands and found a second musical home in the islands’ rhythms and spirit.

Making Music Nashville Style

One of the most inspiring pieces of Jeff’s story isn’t even about the stage—it’s about the classroom. Jeff created a program called Making Music Nashville Style, where he teaches elementary students (and now adults) how to write songs. It’s hands-on, interactive, and ends with an all-school concert that brings the house down.

This isn’t music education for the sake of it. This is about confidence, collaboration, and giving kids a chance to be part of something bigger. It’s one of the most heartfelt things we talked about—and trust me, it’ll hit you in the gut in the best way.

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Final Thoughts

Some folks have careers. Jeff Dayton has chapters. He’s stayed relevant through five decades of trends, not by chasing the next big thing, but by following the song, staying grateful, and lifting others as he climbs. He’s as comfortable producing a hit as he is playing to a packed house or mentoring a shy kid with a spark in their eye.

So if you’re wondering how to build a career in country music—or any music at all—you won’t get a better blueprint than Jeff Dayton.


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