West and Daniels

West and Daniels Bio Mike West: Born in Pensacola Florida August 29, 1963 Mike comes from a working class family and started playing the drums at age 7. He was formally educated in music throughout his grade school years. As a teen he was influenced by southern rock, classic rock, and blues. Mike picked up the guitar at 17, but never took it seriously until he met his best friend and sidekick Jayson Daniels in 2001. Today he is one half of the team of West and Daniels and plays lead guitar, ...

West and Daniels Bio Mike West: Born in Pensacola Florida August 29, 1963 Mike comes from a working class family and started playing the drums at age 7. He was formally educated in music throughout his grade school years. As a teen he was influenced by southern rock, classic rock, and blues. Mike picked up the guitar at 17, but never took it seriously until he met his best friend and sidekick Jayson Daniels in 2001. Today he is one half of the team of West and Daniels and plays lead guitar, co-writes, and produces the studio sounds of the duo. His strong baritone voice makes for a great blend with his partner Jayson, who’s voice is a baritone/tenor.**** Jayson Daniels: Born in Detroit Michigan March 5th, 1970 Jayson also comes from a working class family and his mother was a club level country singer. Jayson’s country roots go way back. He has been singing since he can remember, there was always music in the house. Jayson’s country influences are Waylon, Merl, Roger Miller, Hank Snow, Conway Twitty, and David Allen Coe for starters. He is a solid rhythm guitar player with precision vocals, and an excellent blend with his partner Mike. ****WEST and DANIELS HISTORY FORMED SEPT. 11th 2001**** Mike West and Jayson Daniels met when Mike’s fiancé, Jean who worked with Jayson at a floral warehouse in South Norfolk introduced them because she knew they both had musical interest. This was Aug. 2001. Jayson was going back to Detroit to take some jobs and make some money as a carpenter. They had briefly discussed working together. Mike had grown tired of the rock scene and left to pursue business. When they met, Jayson asked Mike if he had ever considered playing country. Mike laughed and said no. Jayson replied with “its not your Grandmother’s country!”. This made Mike take a look at the possibilities of a different genre. Some of Mikes first country influences are Toby Keith, Shania Twain, Gary Allen, Brooks and Dunn, to name a few. Montgomery Gentry are definitely their biggest influence. So Jayson went to Detroit and Mike listened to Eagle97 for a month and got bit by the country bug. The week of 9/11 Mike called Jayson to come back to Virginia and start a country duo with him. The next day he was back in Va. The new duo started learning songs and hitting all of the open mic nights in the Hampton Roads area. This gave them an instant audience and Mike had never played guitar before a live crowd. He had always played the drums. For four years they polished their show playing any gig they could get. One day at a backyard party the vice president of Hologram Records a local independent label caught the last set of their show. In June of 2005 they were flown to Nashville Tn. to record a demo and perform at the World Famous Tootsie’s Orchard lounge during CMA week. When they came back from Nashville, they were booked to play festivals and more local gigs. Their manager quit the business and they were never signed. From 2006 to the present Mike and Jayson have been playing steadily about 150 shows a year, and they continue writing songs. Jayson writes lyrics and Mike writes music, and produces the studio work in his 32 track studio. They have a good strong local fan base which keeps them busy year round with work. Their goal is to keep moving forward and get a break into the next level of the music industry. West and Daniels are now managed by Bluewater Production. They are now a four piece with the addition of an explosive rhythm section who has been playing together for over ten years. They have added a well seasoned bass player named Danny Short, and a real solid drummer named Mark Dixon.