Jacob Weldon - Bakersfield Grit Meets 90s Honky Tonk Revival | Instagram LIVE | Rugged Revival
Watch on YouTube
Subscribe for new episodes, Grit Sessions & more
Listen to this episode
In This Episode
There's something refreshingly unpretentious about Jacob Weldon. Sitting in his Oregon kitchen on a sunny Monday morning, he's willing to talk about his favourite pair of worn-out boots, his beloved vintage Slayer t-shirt, and the frizz management struggles of his mop-like hair with the same earnest enthusiasm he brings to his music. It's this authenticity—the gap between the carefully styled stage performer and the heavy metal-loving biker who answers the door in raggedy jeans—that makes him genuinely compelling.
Growing up in Independence, Oregon, Weldon was shaped by the legends of West Coast country music. Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, and Dwight Yoakam weren't just names on records; they were blueprints for what country music could be when it had grit, attitude, and something to prove. That DNA runs through everything he does now, as he's set about reviving the high-energy honky tonk sound of the 1990s—that fertile era when country could still feel dangerous, when dance halls jumped and rowdy spirits ruled the night.
I usually wear a heavy metal t-shirt and some raggedy jeans—it's probably more of a biker look than anything else.
— Jacob Weldon
What's striking about Weldon's approach is how he refuses to be pinned down by genre expectations. Yes, he's a country artist, but there's a biker sensibility embedded in his aesthetic, a refusal to separate the rhinestone cowboy from the leather-jacketed rebel. During the conversation, he mentions his bolero jacket with a knowing laugh—fully aware of its Yoakam-esque connotations but unapologetic about channeling that influence. He can't wear it every night, partly because he's got limited resources and partly because he's self-aware enough to know that authenticity can't be performed to death. This is someone building his career one show, one listen, one sponsor relationship at a time, treating every opportunity with genuine gratitude.
The specificity of his style choices reveals someone thoughtful about his craft beyond just the music. Dan Post boots because they fit right and won't break the bank. Stetson hats because they're the real deal, though he dreams of commissioning something custom from the local Portland makers like Folklore Hats. Colourful poly pants that let him move, because energy matters when you're trying to command a stage and make people want to dance. These aren't the choices of someone trying to look like a country singer—they're the choices of someone who IS a country singer and wants the tools to do it properly.
I have an old Slayer shirt from the 90s that's wearing pretty thin these days, so I try to limit its use because I'm trying to preserve it.
— Jacob Weldon
What emerges from listening to Weldon is a conviction that country music's revival doesn't come from nostalgia tourism or aesthetic cosplay. It comes from artists who genuinely love the tradition, understand why it mattered, and aren't afraid to bring their whole selves to it—including the heavy metal shirts and the biker aesthetic and the messy reality of grinding out a career in independent music. The Bakersfield sound he's drawing from was never about purity anyway. It was about working people making music that felt true to their lives, unpolished and fierce.
This is precisely the kind of artist The Rugged Revival exists to champion—someone rebuilding the jumping dance halls and rowdy honky tonks not as a museum piece, but as a living, breathing tradition worth fighting for. Listen to the full episode to hear more about his influences, his approach to live performance, and why sometimes the best country music comes from someone who'd rather wear a Slayer shirt than a rhinestone suit.
I'll help you. I'll help you start a revolution for this Monday morning situation. >> Hey. Hey. >> All right. There he is. >> Can you hear me? >> I can. Welcome to my uh kitchen. >> Welcome to my Welcome to my kitchen. >> Beautiful, Oregon. Another sunny day. We'll take it. >> Fantastic. Well, listen. I appreciate you carving out a few minutes to talk to me and um just to uh reiterate what we do with these little interviews. They go on the Rugged Revival podcast. So, they're based out of um they're they're based out of uh the UK. So, let me shut this thing down here. We're going to keep getting beat. >> Thanks for the hat comment down there. >> That's the fun thing about this, too. you'll get some little uh little comments down there at the bottom. So, all right, man. I like to keep this stuff short and sweet. You know, I don't want to carve out too much of the day and uh you know, a lot of this stuff is um >> you know, it's supposed to be kind of fun. >> So, let's get right into it. Let's swing for the fences. Why don't you tell me about your favorite stage outfit? >> Oh, man. I have like a uh I I go through a couple different few different pairs of pants. I like a nice colorful pair of poly pants. Uh I got to be able to move and uh dance around on stage. I really like wearing my bolero jacket. I can't overdo it though. It's very uh Dwight Yokamesque. I know. And uh I just can't do it every show and I can't afford any more than one. So uh >> yeah, >> keep streaming songs and helping a boy out. Well, maybe we can uh drum up some sponsors in here if we keep doing this kind of thing, you know. Yeah, I've I've always really liked your your style. And actually, that's funny that you said Yokum because that was one of the first thoughts I had when I saw some of your uh your live photos. So, that's cool. So, when you're on stage, you got it dressed up a little bit more. When you're off stage, what's some of your favorite stuff you like to wear? >> Uh, honestly, I just I usually wear like a heavy metal t-shirt and some some raggedy jeans. um some a hat. Sometimes I braid my hair. It's I don't know. It's probably more of a biker look than anything else, but >> Yeah. Yeah. I think there's a lot of there's a lot of crossover with that, you know, the heavy metal outlaw country biker stuff. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Um and what's your uh favorite metal t-shirt that you got? >> I have a Well, I chopped it off when I was young, but I have an old Slayer shirt that I wear. It's the old uh root of all evil shirt. It's definitely from the 90s and it's it's wearing pretty thin these days, so I try to limit its use because I'm trying to >> Yeah, it's definitely my favorite. >> We got to get you a Manowar shirt. >> I'm in. I'm in. Send them my way. You got my address. >> That's right. I'll send one out if I find it. All right. So, I think you're also a boots guy. I also like my boots. What's your favorite pair of boots and who makes them? >> I'm a Dan Post guy. They fit my feet well. I think they're they're relatively affordable. I have a bunch of other boots that I like, but uh anything snakes skin Danpost is usually nine out of 10 the way I'm going to go for sure. >> I totally agree. I've got like the few that I like to just wear knocking around and then, you know, dress it up with the snake skins or the ostrich skins. >> Yeah. Oh, yeah. >> All right. So, you mentioned hats. Um I see you're wearing your Brooks and Dun ball cap now. Um tell me about your favorite hat. Uh, it's probably my Stson. Um, I love I love a good cowboy hat. I only have a couple. I have a straw hat for when it's super hot. I don't even know what brand it is. It's so old, worn out. But, uh, Stson's always my go-to. I'd love to get a custom. Uh, it's just, you know, being able to afford one is is important. Um, there's some great local hat makers here. There's folklore hats here in Portland. I'd love to get one of those from John one of these days. But um hopefully it'll come down the line. >> Yeah, man. If you're familiar with uh Charlie Overbay and his Lone Hawk hats, I've always wanted one of those. And I can't remember who said it, but somebody said getting a custom hat was, you know, you cry now and enjoy it for the rest of your life. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yeah. I'm with you. I like I love Stson. I've got Stson boots, hats, um shirts, even some of the pearl snaps. When I find something that fits my weird shaped head and body, you know, I'm all in. So, um, all right. That sounds awesome, dude. Um, now let's talk about hair. I lost you on the audio there for a second. >> Yeah, I think I was getting some interruptions there. Uh, what's some of your favorite hair products to use at home? >> Uh, honestly, I I use whatever I can just to keep the frizz down. uh to this mop is crazy. Um I I don't know if I have the best hair care hair care hair care hair care hair care hair care hair care routine to be honest. So I'm taking all recommendations in the comments. Um >> All right. >> Also any products that you all want to send my way, I'll I'll use them. I promise. >> I think uh my buddy Stylist Savage joined us. He'll probably have some really good uh hair hair care stuff for you. >> Perfect. >> Remind me where are you based out of? >> I'm in Portland, Oregon. >> Okay. You're in Portland. >> Yeah. >> So, you need some frizz fighting, maybe some leave-in conditioner and some dry shampoo. >> All of it. Yeah. >> Yeah, man. Maybe we can get a a redkin sponsorship for you. >> That's That sounds great to me. >> So, all right. So, when you're on the road, what what kind of hair care products, skin care products, what do you take with you when you're out touring? >> Uh when we hit the road at all, I'm lucky to take a shower sometimes. So, >> yeah, >> there's always that. Uh, I'll just kind of do your normal shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, conditioner to fight the frizz, and then, you know, to have a mustache like this. I got to plug the hardcore grooming products. >> The only thing that goes in this mustache, except the only thing that's wrong with it is I can't control the thing from growing right now. So, it's longer and longer. I got to cut this thing like every other day. So, >> dude, I'm glad you like that stuff, man. >> I know the plug for this product. if y'all want to just reach out. >> We We got a guy We got a guy on the inside. >> Yeah, I'm glad you like that, man. That was a That was a long time coming. Those guys are really cool, too. They um they do I don't know if you looked at their site, but they do collabs with like Panta and Crowbar. Um I Hate God, a bunch a bunch of those guys. Um we were working on some stuff for months and then like they lost everything in those um the LA fires. Their warehouse burned down. >> Oh no. >> Yeah. We had to like start all over, but once I got him, I was like, I got to get this out to people. >> So, I appreciate you appreciate you uh rocking that. Um, well, you know, it's know it's fun, man. This is uh this is actually the end of the conversation. So, Oh, actually, I got two more questions for you. >> Okay. >> All right. So, you mentioned Dwight Yokum. Who was your first style inspiration? Who did you see? You're like, I want to pull a little bit of that. Uh, I mean, it's probably between Dwight Yokum and a guy probably like Marty Stewart. Um, >> I like >> I like kind of the um they're willing to kind of go over the top at times with some stuff. I can't fit into the tight jeans like Dwight used to do. Um, I don't even think one of my legs would fit in his jeans, but uh >> I I like to I like to bring a little extra to the stage. I think being a performer is a big part of this whole thing. But um I really think when it comes to like fashion and stuff, we should all really just strive to be who you want to be. You know what I mean? Like don't worry about what people are going to think. I used to think that really early on and that I had to kind of do the boots and jeans and pearl snap and all that. But uh you can kind of just, you know, this is art. Let's just be who we want to be and let's be comfortable up there on stage and uh it's always going to lead to a better performance that way. So >> yeah, absolutely. I mean, we'll worry about you if you get up there in your boxes and your boots, though. >> Yeah, I I've been up there before in something pretty close. But >> you got to wear the uh the Lemie cut off shorts and the boots. He's got the little micro shorts he likes. >> Yeah, man. I think I think uh a lot of these folks I've talked to, you know, I think we're we're all kind of cut from the same cloth. We grew up listening to like some, you know, early punk and some metal and then kind of moved into the country stuff. You know, there's always like the Ramones and Motorhead crossover, and when I see guys like yourself that remind me of that, I'm always like, "All right, that's my that's my guy." And then you put out that shirt with the your name and the snake in the middle. >> Yeah. >> I was like, "Yeah, that's that's a cool look." >> Yeah. That's kind of our band logo was made by a friend of mine, uh, Sergey. He's a big tattooer here in Portland. And, uh, it's been a big hit. We just keep printing them. So, >> keep y'all keep buying them. you need one on the east coast, just hit me up on my DMs on uh Instagram. I'll send one your way. >> Yeah, maybe we can figure out a shipping hub for you. We just send some out here. I'll ship them for you >> for sure. >> Um yeah, we can talk about that. Um all right, man. Well, that's that's the end of the end of the road here. Is there anything you want to plug like a tour or an upcoming album? >> Uh we just dropped our latest single last Friday. Uh you win some, lose some. Uh Loving on a Woman was our previous single. It came out uh like I think 5 weeks ago now and uh it's doing really well. So please uh keep streaming those. It's much appreciated. Uh got a big show coming up September 27th here locally. Uh we're putting a series of shows together called the Honky Tonk Throwdown. Uh my buddy Aaron McDonald's coming up from Austin and it's here at the Spare Room which is a cool really authentic divy Portland bar. Um hoping to hoping to pack the house that night and keep that whole party thing going. And then uh other than that, check us out, stream us. We're trying to get out more and more. And uh >> don't sleep on the Pacific Northwest. We do we got some pretty good country out here. And uh Portland especially um especially like my friend right there in the comments, Emily Love. Check her out. She's got some great tracks. So >> yeah, like she was just telling you to show a tattoo. You have a you have a new tattoo. There it is. >> The shirt. >> That's awesome. Uh yeah, man. You look as soon as you drop that vinyl, you know, I'm first in line. So, >> absolutely. I'll I'll send away right as I get them. So, >> looking forward to that full album. So, uh look, I know they're short and sweet and we I think you and I could talk for a long time, but uh you know, this will go up on the podcast soon. So, uh thanks for taking the time, brother, and we'll chat again soon. >> Absolutely. Thanks a lot, Camden. M.
Comments
Keep listening
Related Episodes
Willie Waymore
Road Worn Honky Tonk & Modern Americana Music | Willie Waymore
The Rugged Revival — independent Country, Americana & Roots music. Live sessions, artist interviews and real music discovery. "Straight out of Atlanta, GA, The Waymores are a honky-tonk duo keeping country music raw, road-worn, and rooted in truth. Fronted by husband-and-wife team Kira Annalise and Willie Heath Neal, they blend unique vocals, honest storytelling, and a wry sense of humor into a sound that’s equal parts classic grit and modern Americana. Since joining forces in 2018, The Waymores have toured across the U.S., U.K., and Europe, sharing stages with Dale Watson, Wayne Hancock, Kelley Willis, Summer Dean, and Scott H. Biram. Their lively shows — full of heartbreak, honky-tonk energy, and banter — have earned them devoted fans on both sides of the Atlantic.Their third studio album, Greener Pastures (2023), produced by legendary hitmaker Shel Talmy (The Kinks, The Who, David Bowie), drew strong acclaim, with singles climbing the Alt-Country Specialty Chart and landing in the Top 10 alongside Tyler Childers, Colter Wall, and Lucinda Williams.Now, with their fourth album The Knot arriving in February 2026, The Waymores continue doing what they do best: singing about love, loss, and the miles between shows. Recorded in Nashville with rising producer Mose Wilson, The Knot brings wit, grit, and the easy chemistry the duo is known for.Whether nodding to tradition or twisting it with a modern grin, The Waymores keep one boot in the past and one on the gas — proving that country music is still about real stories, real songs, and the long road ahead." Subscribe to The Rugged Revival. Share it with your friends. Support independent music! Listen to the full podcast on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6wnHcgA73o1aiiKaz882vH?si=30aabdaa220a4628 Follow The Rugged Revival:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theruggedrevival/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theruggedrevival Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094507520679 Website: www.theruggedrevival.com Email: ruggedrevival@hotmail.com
R.R. Williams - Raw Americana Rock & Honest Songwriting
R.R. Williams is a lot of things, and none of them are easily or quickly explained.These are songs about an American life from the honest-to-god user end, but believe you me- they waste not a single second muddling around in minutia. Williams’ writing quickly guides listeners straight into the belly of the beast; the deepest dwellings where the smoke is thick as the darkness; where we dare to ask our most honest questions of the universe. These are urgent matters; Purpose, Fate, Destiny, Redemption.There’s perverse and bizarre nuance to this modern life that doesn’t fit into a genre, a time, or a place necessarily. The fibers of the here don’t always intertwine with the fibers of the now as they once did, and the spaces where those knots have slipped are where these songs pick up the slack.But don’t let all this philosophical mumbo jumbo distract anyone from the fact that these are rock’n’roll songs. The radio may want you to think that thoughtful and expansive lyrics don’t pair well with catchy hooks and rowdy guitar tone, but R.R. Williams certainly doesn’t want you to think that. Not for a second.
Coby Rotan
Coby Rotan - Gritty West Texas Country Rock | Rugged Revival
Born out of the ashes of other Texas projects, Coby Rotan & The Naturals is less a band than a brotherhood. Fronted by Permian Basin native Coby Rotan — now based in Canyon Lake — the group delivers a sound that’s gritty, soulful, and unmistakably their own. Rotan first surfaced with a string of independent singles in 2023, including “The Yeti Song” and “Place Outside of Austin,” showcasing a blend of West Texas grit and Southern warmth. His songwriting has been compared to troubadours like Robert Earl Keen, with a mission to “write songs people can feel.”In early 2025, Rotan teamed up with bassist Lucas “Honky Tonk Red” Copeland, drummer Lincoln “Love” Lankford, and manager Jon Paul “JP” “Hogleg” Long to form The Naturals — a band built on chemistry, groove, and truth-telling songs. The lineup quickly expanded to include Ryan Igler (lead guitar), Rolando “Rolo” Ramon (fiddle), Brad Sosebee (keys), and Kevin Garinger (harmonica).
Anders Thomsen
Anders Thomsen – Honky Tonk Guitar Legend on Blues, Country & Rock | Instagram LIVE | Rugged Revival
In this episode, we sit down with Anders Thomsen – a true American original.A master of honky tonk, blues, country, and roots rock, Anders has spent a lifetime on the road playing everywhere from dive bars to international stages. He’s shared the stage with legends like Chuck Berry, Billy Joe Shaver, Martha Reeves, and Dale Watson, and fronted The Ex-Husbands — twice landing in the Top 10 of the Americana charts.Anders brings gritty storytelling, soulful guitar slinging, and decades of experience to every note. https://bookanders.com/