JAKE PAYNE & DIXIE CREEK

If singer/songwriters possess a singular focus on expressing their innermost heart and soul with complete sincerity, then Oregon-based Jake Payne could be their spokesman.Originally a bassist, Payne has turned to an acoustic guitar and a small vintage suitcase crammed with crumbled papers whose surfaces are scrawled with lyrics reflecting his experience with dusty one-road towns, broken relationships, heartache and joy, and drunken frustration. Paynes credentials are the real deal having spent almost 3 years playing professionally in the roots music capital of the world, Austin, Texas. While playing with Traditional Country sweetheart Pauline Reese and with his own band Dixie Creek, Payne has shared the stage or opened for the likes of over two dozen country and Texas music luminaries including Merle Haggard, Willie Nelson, Tommy Alverson, Kevin Fowler, Johnny Lee, The Bellamy Brothers, the late Chris LeDoux, Pat Green, Mike Blakely, Freddy Powers, Rusty Wier, The Derailers, Texas Renegade, Hayes Carll, Paula Nelson and Monte Montgomery. In additon to these musical opportunities, Payne's time in the Lonestar State allowed him the opportunity to expand his knowledge of the music business, develop industry relationships and sharpen his musical craft. In the end, however, Payne and multi-instrumentalist Scott Eastburn, decided to pack it up and head back to Oregon. Paynes music is powerfully simple in its colors, tones and emotions. Convenient classification of Americana/Roots Music aside, Paynes music knows no boundaries and he does not dedicate his craft to any particular people, social class, or agenda. During his first stay in Texas, Payne experienced a visit which only served to encourage his musical motivations. He was visiting with Merle Haggard in the country music legend's tour bus. Haggard was asked what kind of advice he had for aspiring musicians. "Haggard looked me in the eye and said "If you love what you are doing then dont ever stop" With that kind of affirmation, Jake Payne will answer the call in his heart and soul and you can rest assured it will be the real deal.