Communities

Touring and teaching

Former Glen Campbell bandleader Jeff Dayton visits MMHF

NEW ULM -- Nashville musician Jeff Dayton performed a free acoustic set, shared career stories and took audience requests at the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame.

During the visit, Dayton talked about his regional ties, 15 years of touring as Glen Campbell’s bandleader, his international performances in Germany and his work teaching songwriting to school children. He praised New Ulm’s heritage and its commitment to preserving live music.

Dayton spoke about his family connection to the Dayton department store legacy in Minnesota. When an attendee asked if he was related to the retail family, Dayton joked about his branch of the tree.

“I got all the blood and all the talent, none of the money,” Dayton said.

Museum board member Neal Bond introduced Dayton and discussed the museum’s efforts to preserve regional music history across all eras.

“Minnesota has such a rich history,” Bond said. “We had Prince, we had Crow, we had the Castaways, but even before that, if you stop and look, the history of Minnesota music started years and years before we were here, and that’s what this museum is all about. Now we’re trying to bring this museum into the 21st century.”

Bond told attendees that Dayton is a nominee for induction into the Minnesota Music Hall of Fame, encouraging visitors to submit feedback at the museum.

“Before you leave, I want you to put ‘Jeff Dayton needs to be in the Hall of Fame,'” Bond said. “He’s a nominee.”

Dayton performed selections tied to his career in Nashville, including songs by artists he backed on tour and in the studio. He spoke about meeting Glen Campbell in Arizona in 1987 before joining his group.

“I wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for Glen Campbell,” Dayton said. “Glen found me in Phoenix in 1987. After two consecutive nights where he was there, for the second night I asked him to sit in with me and the band, and he said yes. Next thing I knew, he called me up and said, ‘I want you to be my new band leader, and you can bring all your boys.’ And that’s how it started.”

Dayton played Campbell’s hit “Wichita Lineman” and shared details about touring with Campbell. He also performed an original song he wrote about Campbell’s struggle with Alzheimer’s disease during his final years, titled “Long Slow Train Out of Town.”

In addition to his work with Campbell, Dayton shared background on touring with Kenny Chesney and playing shows with Willie Nelson and Jim Stafford. Dayton also earned a platinum songwriting award when country legend George Strait recorded his song “Any Old Time.”

Dayton discussed his upcoming radio appearances while visiting Minnesota for the State Fair. He said he was scheduled to perform a live request set with Bob FM on stage at the fair, followed by an appearance on the “Homegrown Show” with Brandon Baxter. He added that he was invited to stay for a segment on the “Four Outdoorsmen” show to discuss hunting and fishing.

At the request of audience members, Dayton performed Willie Nelson’s “Highwayman” and “Seven Spanish Angels,” Warren Zevon’s “Poor Pitiful Me,” Elton John’s “Levon” and Jason Mraz’s “I’m Yours.”

“I’m just doing requests right now,” Dayton said between songs.

He also played original tracks, including “Shipwrecked Pirate,” “Sandy and Salty and Happy” and “Circling the Moon.”

Dayton displayed a spiral notebook during the set, explaining his habit of writing songs with a No. 2 pencil in notebooks featuring custom hand-lettered covers with his song titles made for him by friends in attendance.

During the show, Dayton spoke to a 9-year-old pianist in the audience, encouraging her to continue her musical studies.

“Are you a young musician?” Dayton asked. “Stick with that piano.”

Speaking to her mother, Dayton added a lighthearted observation about life in the music industry.

“Always be kind to your friends,” Dayton said. “Always listen to what your parents say, and never ever marry a musician.”

Dayton discussed his 17-year involvement with Making Music Nashville Style, an educational program where he visits elementary schools to teach song composition and teamwork to students. He played “Chillin’,” a song co-written with fifth-grade students at Minnewaska School that won Summer Song of the Year from American Songwriter Magazine.

“Working with those kids, it’s like they’re the most brilliant ones in the school sometimes," he said.

Dayton recalled seeing another young guitarist playing at a music store earlier in the week while picking up supplies for his drum kit.

“When I was 11, I could barely make a G chord,” Dayton said. “I went into Guitar Center about 10 days ago to pick up some stuff I needed for my drum set, and I heard somebody shredding. I went around and it was a kid about your size. I said, ‘How old are you?’ He said, ‘I’m 9.’ If you really want to get your ego boosted, go to Guitar Center and listen to a kid who’s younger than any of your kids blowing you away.”

Following the performance, audience members remained in the Hall of Fame to speak with Dayton, take photos and request autographs before he concluded his visit to New Ulm.