Maggie Went Back To Mineola

The Zoo Crew, those free-spirited hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Maggie Went Back To Mineola" by Jesse Dayton, Ian Moore & Johnny Moeller from the album Texas Headhunters for all the Zoo Freaks tuning in. This gritty, bluesy track, the debut single from the self-titled album, tells a tale of hard living and redemption, penned by Jesse Dayton. In a quote shared on Facebook and in interviews with sites like Rock and Blues Muse, Dayton explained, “A girl from Mineola goes to Dallas and becomes a stripper. She gets into all this stuff, then comes home to work at the Dollar General and try to go to church. That’s Ian on lead.” The song’s swaggering, raw energy channels the spirit of early ZZ Top, blending deep-pocket rhythms with barbed guitar licks, making it a perfect road-trip anthem.

More trivia comes from the recording process and fan buzz. Tracked live over five intense days at Willie Nelson’s Pedernales Studio, “Maggie Went Back To Mineola” captures the unfiltered fire of the trio, as noted by the band on Instagram. Co-produced by Grammy-winning engineer Steve Chadie, the session’s raw, smoky vibe shines through, with Ian Moore’s psychedelic edge, Johnny Moeller’s stinging groove, and Dayton’s outlaw grind creating a unique mix. Fans on Texas Headhunters Fans have raved about the track, with one post calling it “a blistering kickoff” to the album, released via Hardcharger/Blue Élan Records. The song hit #1 on the Apple Music Blues Charts, a milestone celebrated in a post on X, sparking excitement among listeners.

The Texas Headhunters, the blistering trio of Jesse Dayton, Ian Moore, and Johnny Moeller, came together as veterans of the Austin blues explosion, forging a new path in Texas blues. Jesse Dayton, born in Beaumont, Texas, in 1966, started as a guitarist and singer, cutting his teeth in the Gulf Coast scene with country and rockabilly before diving into blues and Americana, releasing solo albums like Raisin’ Cain in 1995. Ian Moore, born in Berkeley, California, in 1968, moved to Austin and began blending psychedelic rock and blues, debuting with his self-titled album in 1993 on Capricorn Records. Johnny Moeller, born in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1970, honed his guitar chops in Dallas and Austin, playing with acts like The Fabulous Thunderbirds before joining this supergroup.

United by a shared love for raw, combustible Texas blues, the trio formed Texas Headhunters around 2015, channeling their collective mastery into a fresh sound. Check out their story at their official website, where tour dates and news await. Follow them on Facebook for updates, Instagram for behind-the-scenes shots, and X for quick takes and fan chats. Dive into fan love at Texas Headhunters Fan Club, a site packed with history and merch, or join the Texas Headhunters Fans Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks and others celebrate this trio’s fiery, roots-driven vibe.