“Chillo”
Interview by American Songwriter
Jeff Dayton is the American Songwriter Sounds Like Summer Song Contest Promotion winner for his song “Chillo.” American Songwriter caught up with Jeff to get the story behind his Summer hit.
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How long have you been songwriting?
Ever since an Arizona Songwriters Association symposium in Phoenix with David Foster, Jay Graydon, Bill Champlin and Randy Goodrum that blew my mind. I arrived as a guy who just wrote some songs and I left as a songwriter. That led to me getting a George Strait cut, “Any Old Time.” The late Erv Woolsey opened the Muy Bueno catalog with that song and I’ve been writing here in town ever since. I thought, “This is going to be easy.” Ha! I’ve had four staff writing deals in town and have been touring as an indie writer/artist for the past 14 years, and it’s all been worth it.
Why did you enter American Songwriter’s Sounds Like Summer Promotion?
I always loved the water and Caribbean, Latin, jazz and rock. In 2003 I got hired to play with Kenny Chesney and that gave me an extra push towards what we call Trop Rock, which has really given me a growing presence in that format. Of all the songs in my catalog to choose from, Chillo was the natural pick.
What was the inspiration behind your song, “Chillo”?
I do an Artist In Residence program called Making Music Nashville Style in elementary schools where I team up 5th graders into bands and show them our ‘word for a third’ way of writing. We start with the title and I tell them to bring ideas to support it. I was talking to one of the schools two years ago and I accidentally mashed up ‘chill’ and ‘mellow’ and it came out Chillo. The kids said, “hey, can we write that title?” We had a blast gathering ideas and I put the song together with them in about 45 minutes. Nothing beats the creativity of kids!
Who are your all-time favorite songwriters and why?
Bob McDill, Guy Clark, John Prine, Jerry Jeff, John Hartford, Roger Miller and Jimmy Webb, but there are dozens more. Marc Cohn and Sting too. I’m a big fan of what I call “say it and get out of the way” writing and I nominate McDill as the grand master of that style. I also love anyone who dares to be different. If Jimmy Buffett can do a song called “Death of an Unpopular Poet,” there’s hope for me.
Are you planning to release any new music this year?
My latest album is “Welcome to Ocean Country” and it came out in April. I’m writing for another one that may be out this winter called “Songs From The Walnut Room.” I have 17 albums, which makes me the poster child for something I guess.
What would you tell other artists who are considering entering the contest?
My mom used to say, “Growth is preceded by new information.” I’m an AS subscriber and I’d offer this: You will always grow if you learn, take chances, aim high and have faith. Shake hands, listen well, be a cool hang and take any opportunity that comes along that might help your career.
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