Remembering Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002)

Remembering Waylon Jennings (June 15, 1937 – February 13, 2002)

A celebrated pioneer of the Outlaw Country movement, Waylon Jennings' legendary fifty-year career saw him make history as a platinum-selling solo artist and as one of the Highwaymen, alongside Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson.

With his burly tenor and unmistakable Telecaster tone, Jennings was a memorable chronicler of the rough and rowdy ways of those condemned to live on the margins. His songs are full of criminals, con-men, cowboys and scarlet women. His signature sound was a unique blend of rock ‘n’ roll, honky-tonk and Tex-Mex influences, presented with a tough-guy attitude and a spry sense of humor.

Jennings’ best-known compositions, like "I've Always Been Crazy" and "Mammas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" are standards that have been covered hundreds of times and he remains a key influence on a whole new generation of edgy Nashville stars like Eric Church, Sturgill Simpson and his son, Shooter.

“I may be crazy, but it keeps me from going insane.”

-Waylon Jennings

Photo by Leonard Kamsler

I think I do Waylon a disserviceand don’t feature him enough. I appreciate him and especially after (again) my dear brother Steve was such a big fan (of him all the Highwaymen and all things country) so . . . . . .

Waylon Jennings - Good Hearted Woman/Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys

The High