Texas Headhunters release Rise and Shine, their second album
Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller and Jesse Dayton return with a self-produced Texas Headhunters album, released October 9, 2026.
Texas Headhunters have released Rise and Shine, the second album from the guitar trio of Ian Moore, Johnny Moeller and Jesse Dayton. Hardcharger / Blue Élan marked its arrival with a release-day announcement on October 9, 2026.
The label describes a ten-song record made over five days. The official Bandcamp listing also gives October 9 as the release date, separating this week’s new album from the group’s earlier debut.
Three guitarists, a shared rhythm section
The band handled production themselves. Michael Archer is credited on bass and Jay Moeller on drums, giving the three guitarists a shared rhythm section for the recording. The release notes describe a recording approach aimed at capturing the interplay between the musicians.
The label also highlights Moeller’s contributions on “Drive You Crazy,” the title track and the instrumental “Funky So N So.” Those selections provide further points of entry alongside the release-day focus track.
Start with “Favored Nation”
The release-day focus is “Favored Nation,” written by Moore. In the label’s announcement, he places his blues influences alongside mod and alternative rock, naming Buddy Guy among the musicians who helped shape his outlook. His account frames the song around the different musical traditions that fed into his writing.
Find the release announcement and listening links at Blue Élan, or explore the official ten-track listing. The Bandcamp page still displayed pre-order wording when checked, so its interface should not be read as a promise about physical shipping.
For a deeper look at one of Moore’s stated influences, read our Buddy Guy guitars and gear guide.
Editorial illustration from separate archival portraits: Johnny Moeller by Alberto Cabello (2009), Ian Moore by Nathan Eror (2006), and Jesse Dayton by Cortney Martin (2008). Cabello and Martin sources: CC BY 2.0; Eror source and this adaptation: CC BY-SA 2.0. Adapted into an illustrated portrait montage; instruments and other performers excluded. These are separate archival appearances, not a joint 2026 performance. No endorsement implied.