Jesse Daniel, Son of the San Lorenzo Valley

By Michele Murphy

Born and raised in Ben Lomond, Jessie Daniel had a full tour planned with country and western greats like Colter Wall and Shooter Jennings, when the pandemic hit and then everything came to a grinding halt. Daniel said, “We were on the road when we were notified, everything is shutting down.” Shows were being canceled left and right, and they had to hunker down like everyone else.

His debut album in 2018 entitled Jesse Daniel, raised some eyebrows and got him noticed as a serious artist. He toured extensively before coming out with his second album, Rollin’ On, in 2020. The release earned him even more accolades and notoriety as he received praise from Rolling Stone magazine, Sirius XM, Outlaw Country DJ Shooter Jennings, American Songwriter, Saving Country Music, and others. Even during the pandemic, with the inability to tour, the album was a rousing success.

Daniel turned inward while on hiatus from touring and wrote the music for his album Beyond These Walls, released on July 30, 2021. He collaborated with his partner, bandmate, and co-owner of their independent label, Die True Records, Jodi Lyford. Lyford co-wrote many of the songs, and her harmonies can be heard throughout. Full of surprises and sweet melodies — with lyrics ripped straight from the pages of life — Beyond These Walls is a 12-song journey that covers a lot of emotional ground. Daniel wanted the record to reflect where he is at this point in his life, more mature, more experienced, but never far from his signature sound. The songs are a reflection of all sides of the artist.

Daniel is also joined on the album by Kevin Smith from Willie Nelson’s band; Ronnie Huckaby, who plays with George Strait; and Raul Malo of The Mavericks, who adds a Spanish flair.

With this effort, Daniel comes into his own as a songwriter. He honors the cowboy through the tradition of storytelling in Clayton Was A Cowboy, which tells of the hardship and simplicity of living without confines. He tackles the enormity of addiction with a song entitled Gray. The subject is personal, and too many friends have died young from drug abuse.

Beyond These Walls tips its hat to country music and offers redemption for hard living and heartache. Order the new album: jessedanielmusic.com