Jesse James Dupree (born Jesse Dupree; September 22, 1962)[1] is an American musician. He is the lead singer, rhythm guitarist, and primary songwriter in the rock band Jackyl, founded in 1991. As a solo performer, he released albums in 2000 and 2008 under the names of Jesse James Dupree and Jesse James Dupree & Dixie Inc., respectively.
Dupree's most famous routine involves using a chainsaw as a musical instrument during the song "The Lumberjack" and "The Star Spangled Banner". His collection of customized instruments include an electric guitar with a chainsaw attached and a large customized chainsaw powered by a DodgeHemi engine.
2008 brought the release of Rev It Up and Go-Go, an album by Jesse James Dupree & Dixie Inc.[4] Three music videos were released in promotion of the new CD: "Money Lovin' & Speed", "The Party" and "Bite".
In September 2001, Dupree performed and recorded a cover of AC/DC's "Highway to Hell" for the ECW Music CD Anarchy Rocks Extreme Music Volume 2 released on V2 Records.
In addition to being business partners, Dupree and Ballard appear on the show (as themselves), along with several other characters each season. Dupree is the entertainment director and executive producer of the series; he also performs live with his band Jackyl, and performs his own stunts on each episode. Full Throttle Saloon aired its first season on TruTV in 2009,[6] and is in production for future seasons.
The saloon was destroyed by fire in September 2015.
Business interests
Dupree started Mighty Loud Entertainment, a record label and artist management company. Through Mighty Loud, Dupree is the General Manager of Kiefer Sutherland's label Ironworks and also runs an imprint label as part of the Universal Music system. Mighty Loud Entertainment manages artists such as Nigel Dupree Band, Jackyl, Wayland, and Babi Mac.
In 2010, Dupree created and launched "Jesse James Spirits", a line of alcoholic beverages that includes the "Jesse James America's Outlaw" brands of beer and bourbon whiskey.[7][8] Flavored bourbons (honey flavored and spiced) were introduced to the product line soon afterward.
Personal life
In 1989, Jesse had a son named Nigel Thomas Dupree who was the lead vocalist for the Nigel Dupree Band,[9] and was the drummer for Wayland and is now the drummer for Tuk Smith and the Restless Hearts. He also has a daughter named Thea. Jesse is married to Penny Dupree.