800 Mile Monday

Daniel Payne is certainly no stranger to the life of musical gypsyhood. His exploits of rambling and relentless touring stretch across the globe. 800 Mile Monday is his band and channel for his stories. In between his friendly smiles and down-home West Texas "hi you all," Payne howls and mourns his savage tales of betrayal, spurned lovers, and low down losers.

Conceived in 2006 in Lubbock, Texas, 800 Mile Monday draws from a revolving door of touring and studio musicians to keep the wheels turning. Payne spent several years drifting from town to town and couch to storage shed, hanging out with winos, running from the law, and honing his craft every night in the bars (if he didn't pass out on the curb and blow the gig). Sometimes it would just be him and his old Guild flat top guitar. At other times he'd be backed by his cowpunk cohorts The Dan Family (Dan Hardick and Brett Walker) from the barnyards of Parker County. On par with the band's background is its ability to put its own spin on a number of musical styles while remaining true to its American roots. The band's first full-length release, "In The Fertile Gardens of Freedom" debuted out of Fort Worth, TX in early 2010 to a positive reception among critics and fans alike. A U.S. tour followed and 800 Mile Monday was on the national map. Payne enjoyed most of 2011 touring in the US and Europe with Bob Wayne and his "Outlaw Carnies" while writing his own next album "Ancient Tones" which would be recorded by Andy Gibson in Nashville, TN and released in January 2012. The record, captured in the traditional bluegrass style alongside Andy Gibson and Daniel Mason (both of Hank III), Chris Scruggs (BR-549), and fiddle prodigy Billy Contreras (George Jones) shocked critics with its plainspoken honesty, hard-living brutality and peerless musicianship.

Three tours into 2012 and with the growing support of loyal fans cropping up, worldwide, the band continues to shine while taking its balls-to-the-wall no-let-up two hour live show to fans in the United States and Europe. "I'm already writing the next one," Payne said with a knowing smile. "Every day when I wake up I am grateful for what I have, and for everyone I have met. I'm living each day to the fullest because tomorrow's never sure."

-Clive O'Malley 2012