(Artist Report)

Written by: Cody Denning  

Rayland Baxter is an American singer-songwriter and musician rooted in alternative rock, alt-country, and Americana genres. Born on September 26, 1983, in Bon Aqua, Tennessee, Baxter has carved a path in the music industry with his soulful lyrics and rich instrumentation. His influences span a wide range, from folk to rock 'n' roll and psychedelic pop. As the son of renowned pedal steel guitarist Bucky Baxter, Rayland grew up immersed in music but initially pursued other interests before embracing his musical calling in his early twenties.
Rayland Baxter was raised in a musical household in Nashville, Tennessee, where his father, Bucky Baxter, a multi-instrumentalist who performed with artists like Bob Dylan, Steve Earle, and Ryan Adams, introduced him to music early on. Bucky gifted Rayland a blue electric guitar in third grade, starting him young. Though Rayland’s initial passions leaned toward sports and outdoor activities, he would eventually take to the stage and become a man of music.
Baxter’s professional music career began in 2010 with a feature on Caitlin Rose’s song “Shanghai Cigarettes.” In 2011, he released his debut EP, Miscalculation of Song, crafted during his time in Israel. His first full-length album, Feathers & Fishhooks (2012), released via ATO Records, showcased his storytelling and melodic sensibility, earning critical acclaim. The album was produced by Skylar Wilson, with contributions from his father, Bucky, and other Nashville musicians.

In 2013, Baxter released the EP Ashkelon, followed by his sophomore album in 2015, Imaginary Man, which expanded his sound with richer arrangements. Wide Awake (2018), a critically acclaimed record, pushed creative boundaries with its eclectic influences. In 2019, Baxter paid tribute to the late Mac Miller with Good Mmornin, an album of seven covers, performed at the Newport Folk Festival. His fourth album, If I Were a Butterfly (2022), recorded over a year in a Kentucky studio, is noted for its vast psychedelia and emotional depth, reflecting on loss, love, and transcendence following his father’s death in 2020.
Baxter has toured with artists like The Civil Wars and Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, building a loyal fanbase. He also collaborated with the Magnolia Record Club to release his SoHo EP on vinyl, including unreleased Thunder Demos and a cover of My Morning Jacket’s “Bermuda Highway,” with proceeds supporting MusiCares’ Mac Miller Legacy Fund.
Baxter continues to write, record, tour, and contribute to the world of music, earning praise from artists like Shakey Graves and others. We’ll keep our eyes on what comes next. Thank you for reading! Support what we do here at Soundwave by purchasing some of our Soundwave gear. Keep on rockin’.

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