JD Clayton has been one of my favorite artists on the horizon.
I stumbled upon JD in 2022 when he released his EP, Side A, and instantly fell in love with his tune, “Beauty Queen.” The similarities between his, Lucas Nelson, and Nathaniel Ratliff’s sound was an instant selling point for me.
Just some good ole Americana/folk feel-good music.
After I wore the ties off that EP, I moved on to his debut album, which he released in late January of this year titled Long Way From Home.
This album is such a way to note to listeners the diversity of his sound. From melancholy songs like “Sleepy Night In Nashville’ with heavy bluegrass influence to the twangers like “Goldmine,” this is the definition of a well-rounded album.
Naturally, I was thrilled to see he was this week’s feature on Jam In The Van. He absolutely rocked the wheels of that thing.
“American Millionaire”
He has a charisma about him while he is performing, which draws the viewers in. His band is so in tune with their music; it tells the story that these guys love what they have created.
“Heartaches After Heartbreaks”
My favorite performance from his session is “Beauty Queen.”
The guitar riffs during the chorus scream honky tonk, and the upbeat tempo makes you want to tap your feet along.
JD Clayton has a rapidly growing fan base and a name you’ll want to know. This Jam In The Van session highlights his raw talent perfectly.
“Beauty Queen”