When Jesse James Dupree walks down the driveway of his Kennesaw compound to greet a couple of visitors, it wouldn’t be unexpected to see him trailed by a muscular Rottweiler or German Shepherd.

After all, this is the frontman for Jackyl, the hair-flying, chainsaw-wielding, Southern-blues-rocking yowlers who spent the ‘90s thrilling fans and frightening unsuspecting diners (more on that later).

But, on this chilly fall afternoon, the ponytailed Dupree, pale blue eyes shining, extends a friendly hand in welcome and steps aside to allow his handful-sized terrier, Elmo, to scurry by in a yippy blur.

Dupree laughs at the pup as he gives a quick tour of the small buildings behind the home he shares with his wife, Penny, 15-year-old daughter Thea and 29-year-old musician son, Nigel, who is often touring with his band Wayland (“He’s a starving musician, but we feed him sometimes,” Dupree jokes). Another daughter, Miranda, 28, graduated from Kennesaw State University and works in the medical supply business.

As he walks between the structure that contains his office with the five employees who manage his Mighty Loud businesses to his Cock of the Walk recording studio, Dupree begins a running commentary on the history of his life. Continue reading...