
Live Music: Rich Layton Trio
Rich Layton & Tough Town are keepers of the flame for American roots music. It’s high octane swamp rock, country, rockabilly and the honky tonk blues echoing from an East Texas roadhouse. The band has a signature sound that sits right alongside such eclectic artists as Marty Stuart, Dave Alvin and Lukas Nelson. Each set takes audiences for a ride from Sun Studios to Chess Records, and Muscle Shoals to Bakersfield. Rich’s original songs fit seamlessly into the mix, weaving his Gulf Coast roots through tales of rock and roll redemption, harmonica-fueled and swampified.
Together over a decade now, the band has released three albums and received multiple local awards while performing regularly at major festivals and showcase clubs throughout the Northwest. Each year, Rich joins Lyle Lovett as a special guest when Lyle tours the NW. Rich also has played on Portland tour stops by long-time friends Lucinda Williams, Dale Watson, Buckwheat Zydeco (R.I.P.) and more.