Texas Headhunters Drop New Single ‘Kathleen’

Texas Headhunters Drop New Single ‘Kathleen’

After lighting the fuse with the gritty debut single “Maggie Went Back to Mineola,” Texas Headhunters featuring Ian Moore, Jesse Dayton and Johnny Moeller, show a deeper, more emotional side with “Kathleen,” the second track from their upcoming self-titled album, due August 22 on Hardcharger / Blue Élan Records. The track lands today alongside a powerful new video that captures the song’s tension and beauty.

Written and sung by Ian Moore, “Kathleen” started as a Muddy Waters-inspired riff and a rough vocal placeholder using his wife’s name. But the song took on a life of its own, a brooding character sketch of a woman trading lasting love for fleeting thrills.

“The character developed into someone obsessed with frivolous playthings,” says Moore. “It was so far from Joleen’s actual personality I figured it was harmless. Then she heard the demo and flipped! I scrambled to find another name. ‘Kathleen’ had a similar tone and the Townes Van Zandt reference gave it some weight.”

Watch “Kathleen”

 

Stream the new single HERE

What sets “Kathleen” apart is the magnetic interplay between Moore and Jesse Dayton, who trade solos with striking contrast and chemistry. Moore leads with a soulful, expressive run full of long bends and melodic phrasing that call to mind David Gilmour, Mark Knopfler, and Gary Moore. Dayton answers with a gritty, slide-driven solo that brings raw, swampy fire in the spirit of Duane Allman. The handoff between them is seamless, a dance of tension and release that elevates the track into something quietly powerful and unforgettable.

It’s the kind of dynamic that defines Texas Headhunters: three singular artists rotating the spotlight as lead singer, songwriter, and guitar slinger, but always serving the song. “Kathleen” belongs to Ian, but the electricity between him and Jesse is palpable. This isn’t ego-driven guitar slinging. It’s something greater. Something built on trust, instinct, and soul.

The band’s debut headline tour launches in late August, with a run of preview shows next week alongside Samantha Fish’s Paper Doll World Tour. The final date at Antone’s Nightclub in Austin, on Clifford Antone’s birthday weekend and during the club’s 50th anniversary year, is a full-circle moment. All three Headhunters were part of the last wave mentored by Clifford himself.

With their first two singles, Texas Headhunters have made one thing clear: they’re not just here to play, they’re here to remind you why this music matters.

Ian Moore. Jesse Dayton. Johnny Moeller. Three Texas titans with fire in their fingers and soul to burn. Tracked live at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio with producer Steve Chadie, their self-titled debut is a 12-track blast of groove, grit, and no-bullshit Texas blues revival. Each member sings. Each writes. Each brings decades of sweat, swagger, and skill.

TEXAS HEADHUNTERS – PREVIEW TOUR 2025 with Samantha Fish
6/19 – Patchogue, NY – Patchogue Theatre for the Performing Arts
6/20 – Ridgefield, CT – The Ridgefield Playhouse
6/21 – Fall River, MA – Narrows Center for the Arts
6/22 – North Truro, MA – Payomet Performing Arts Center
6/24 – Albany, NY – Empire Live

2025 Debut Tour
8/28 – Milwaukee, WI – Shank Hall
8/29 – Berwyn, IL – FitzGerald’s
8/30 – St. Louis, MO – Old Rock House
8/31 – Kansas City, MO – Knuckleheads Saloon
9/4 – Cincinnati, OH – Ludlow Garage
9/5 – Cleveland, OH – Beachland Ballroom
9/7 – Warrendale, PA – Jergel’s Rhythm Grille
9/11 – Shirley, MA – Bull Run
9/14 – Fairfield, CT – StageOne
9/16 – Philadelphia, PA – World Cafe Live
10/19 –Dallas, TX – The Kessler Theater
10/22 –Tulsa, OK – The Shrine
10/24 –Houston, TX – The Heights Theater
10/25 –Austin, TX – Antone’s Nightclub

🎟 Tickets and more HERE

Texas Headhunters website