View source for Waylon Jennings

{{Short description|American country musician (1937–2002)}}
{{About||his youngest son, also named Waylon Jennings|Shooter Jennings}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{good article}}
{{Infobox musical artist  <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians -->
| name              = Waylon Jennings
| image             = Waylon Jennings in 1976.jpg
| caption           = Jennings performing on the [[Johnny Cash]] Spring Fever Special in 1976
| birth_name        = Waylon Arnold Jennings<ref name="Country Rebel">{{cite news|url=https://countryrebel.com/waylon-jennings-real-name-wasnt-waylon/|title=Waylon Jennings' Real Name Wasn't 'Waylon'|author=Raye, Miranda|date=March 14, 2019|access-date=March 18, 2023|website=countryrebel.com}}</ref>
| alias             = {{Hlist|Hoss|Chief|Watasha|Waymore}}
| birth_date        = {{birth date|1937|6|15}}
| birth_place       = [[Littlefield, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date        = {{Death date and age|2002|2|13|1937|6|15}}
| death_place       = [[Chandler, Arizona]], U.S.
| instrument        = {{hlist|Vocals|guitar}}
| genre             = {{flatlist|
* [[Country music|Country]]
* [[outlaw country]]
}}
| occupation        = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|musician|producer|actor}}
| years_active      = 1949–2002
| label             = {{flatlist|
* [[RCA Victor]]
* [[A&M Records]]
* [[MCA Records|MCA]]
* [[Epic Records|Epic]]
}}
| past_member_of    = {{flatlist|* [[the Waylors]]
* [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|the Highwaymen]]
* [[USA For Africa]]
* [[Maverick (film)|the Maverick Choir]]
* [[Old Dogs (group)|Old Dogs]]
}}
| module            = {{Infobox person|embed=yes
| spouse             = {{ubl|{{marriage|Maxine Lawrence|1955|1962|end=div}}|{{marriage|Lynne Jones|1962|1967|end=div}}|{{marriage|Barbara Elizabeth Rood |1967|1968|end=div}}|{{marriage|[[Jessi Colter]]|1969}}}}
| children           = 6, including [[Shooter Jennings|Shooter]]
| relatives          = [[Tommy Jennings]] (brother)
| website             = {{URL|waylonjennings.com/}}
| signature = Waylon Jennings Signature.png
}}
}}
'''Waylon Arnold Jennings''' (June 15, 1937&nbsp;– February 13, 2002) was an American country music singer, songwriter, musician, and actor. He is considered one of the pioneers of the [[Outlaw country|outlaw movement]] in [[country music]].

Jennings started playing guitar at age eight and performed at fourteen on [[KVOW]] radio, after which he formed his first band, the Texas Longhorns. Jennings left high school at age sixteen, determined to become a musician, and worked as a performer and DJ on KVOW, [[KDAV]], [[KYTI]], [[KBZO (AM)|KLLL]], in [[Coolidge, Arizona]], and [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]]. In 1958, [[Buddy Holly]] arranged Jennings's first recording session, a cover of [[Jole Blon]], and hired him to play bass. Jennings gave up his seat on the [[The Day the Music Died|ill-fated flight]] in 1959 that crashed and killed Holly, [[The Big Bopper|J. P. "the Big Bopper" Richardson]] and [[Ritchie Valens]].

Jennings then returned to Texas, taking several years off from music before eventually moving to Arizona and forming a [[rockabilly]] club band, [[the Waylors]], which became the house band at "JD's", a club in Tempe, Arizona.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 18, 2019 |title=Report to the Board of Adjustment Prepared by the Maricopa County Planning and Development Department |url=https://www.maricopa.gov/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Item/7079?fileID=46736 |website=www.maricopa.gov}}</ref> He recorded for independent label Trend Records and [[A&M Records]], but did not achieve success until moving to [[RCA Victor]] in 1965. In 1972 he acquired Neil Reshen as his manager, who negotiated significantly better touring and recording contracts. After he gained creative control from [[RCA Records]], he released the critically acclaimed albums ''[[Lonesome, On'ry and Mean]]'' and ''[[Honky Tonk Heroes]]'', followed by the hit albums ''[[Dreaming My Dreams (Waylon Jennings album)|Dreaming My Dreams]]'' and ''[[Are You Ready for the Country]]''.

During the 1970s, Jennings drove [[outlaw country]]. With [[Willie Nelson]], [[Tompall Glaser]], and [[Jessi Colter]] he recorded country music's first platinum album, ''[[Wanted! The Outlaws]]''. It was followed by another platinum album, a first for any solo artist in country music, ''[[Ol' Waylon]]'', and the hit song "[[Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)|Luckenbach, Texas]]". He was featured on the 1978 album ''[[White Mansions]]'', performed by various artists documenting the lives of Confederates during the Civil War. He appeared in films and television series, including ''[[Sesame Street]]'' and a stint as the Balladeer on ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'', composing and singing [[Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)|its theme song]] and narrating the show.

Jennings struggled with [[cocaine]] addiction, which he overcame in 1984. Later, he joined the country [[supergroup (music)|supergroup]] [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|the Highwaymen]] with [[Willie Nelson]], [[Kris Kristofferson]], and [[Johnny Cash]], which released three albums between 1985 and 1995. During that period, Jennings released the successful album ''[[Will the Wolf Survive]]''. He has been named as one of the innovators of [[progressive country]].<ref name=Rockwell>{{cite web |url= https://www.nytimes.com/1976/04/08/archives/the-pop-life-progressive-country-music.html|title=The Pop Life |last=Rockwell|first=John |date=April 8, 1976 |work=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=July 22, 2023 |quote=The term "progressive" country normally applies to a Texas‐based coterie around Willie Nelson and such Nashville‐centered innovators as Waylon Jennings and Tompall Glaser.}}</ref>

Jennings toured less after 1997 to spend more time with his family. Between 1999 and 2001, health problems limited his appearances. In 2001, he was inducted into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]]. In 2007, he was posthumously awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award by the [[Academy of Country Music]].

== Early life ==
Jennings was born on June 15, 1937, on the J. W. Bittner farm near [[Littlefield, Texas]]. He was the son of Lorene Beatrice (née Shipley, 1919–2006) and William Albert Jennings (1911–1968).{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=4}} The Jennings family line descended from Irish and [[Black-Dutch]].{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=10}} He was the oldest of four children, followed by [[Tommy Jennings]] (1941–2019), James Jennings, and Bo Jennings (1950–2018).<ref name="Classic Country Music">{{cite web|url=https://classiccountrymusic.com/waylon-jennings-brother-has-passed-away/|title=Waylon Jennings' Brother Has Passed Away|date=May 2019 |publisher=Classic Country Music|access-date=October 25, 2023}}</ref> The Shipley line descended from his great-grandfather, a farmer and lawman from [[Tennessee]], with Jennings adding that "along the way, a lot of Indian blood mixed in," including [[Cherokee]] and [[Comanche]] families.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=9–11}}

The name on Jennings's birth certificate was Wayland. It was changed after a Baptist preacher visited his parents and congratulated his mother for naming him after the Wayland Baptist College, now [[Wayland Baptist University]], in [[Plainview, Texas]]. Lorene Jennings, who was [[Churches of Christ|Church of Christ]] and had been unaware of the college, changed the spelling to Waylon. Jennings later expressed in his autobiography, "I didn't like Waylon. It sounded so corny and hillbilly, but it's been good to me, and I'm pretty well at peace with it now."{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=6}} After working as a laborer on the Bittner farm, Jennings's father moved the family to Littlefield and established a [[Creamery|retail creamery]].{{sfn|Jasinski|p=432|2012}}

== Career ==
=== Beginnings in music ===
When Jennings was 8, his mother taught him to play guitar with the tune "Thirty Pieces of Silver". Jennings used to practice with his relatives' instruments until his mother bought him a used [[Stella (guitar)|Stella]] guitar, and later ordered a [[Harmony Company models#Patrician|Harmony Patrician]].{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=22}} Early influences included [[Bob Wills]], [[Floyd Tillman]], [[Ernest Tubb]], [[Hank Williams]], [[Carl Smith (country musician)|Carl Smith]], [[Dean Martin]], and [[Elvis Presley]].<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/waylon-jennings-dead-at-sixty-four-20020214|title=Waylon Jennings Dead at Sixty-four|author=Dansby, Andrew|date=February 14, 2002|access-date=November 1, 2011|magazine=Rolling Stone}}</ref>{{sfn|Wishart|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=rtRFyFO4hpEC&dq=waylon%20jennings%20drop%20out%20high%20school&pg=PA540 540]}}{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=271}}{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=34}}

Beginning with performing at family gatherings, Jennings played his first public concert at the Youth Center with Anthony Bonanno, followed by appearances at the local [[United States Junior Chamber|Jaycees]] and [[Lions Clubs International|Lions Clubs]]. He won a talent show at [[KLBK-TV|Channel 13]], in Lubbock, singing "[[Hey Joe (Carl Smith song)|Hey Joe]]". He later made frequent performances at the Palace Theater in Littlefield, during local talent night.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=36}}

At age 14, Jennings auditioned for a spot on KVOW in Littlefield, Texas. Owner J. B. McShan, along with Emil Macha, recorded Jennings's performance. McShan liked his style and hired him for a weekly 30-minute program. Following his performance on the show, Jennings formed his own band. He asked Macha to play bass for him and gathered other friends and acquaintances to form the Texas Longhorns. The style of the band—a mixture of [[country and western]] and [[bluegrass music]]—was often not well received.{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=154}}

[[File:Waylon Jennings KLLL.jpg|thumb|200px|Jennings during a broadcast of his show on KLLL in 1958]]
After several disciplinary infractions, 16-year-old Jennings was convinced to drop out of Littlefield High School by the superintendent.{{sfn|Burton, Alan|2002|p=79}} Upon leaving school, he worked for his father in the family store and also took temporary jobs. Jennings felt that music would turn into his career.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=31–33}} The next year he, along with the Texas Longhorns, recorded demo versions of the songs "Stranger in My Home" and "There'll Be a New Day" at [[KFYO (AM)|KFYO]] radio in Lubbock.{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=154}} Meanwhile, he drove a truck for the Thomas Land Lumber Company, and a [[cement truck]] for the Roberts Lumber Company. Tired of the owner, Jennings quit after a minor driving accident.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=39}} Jennings, and other local musicians, often performed at country radio station [[KBZO (AM)|KDAV]].  During this time he met [[Buddy Holly]] at a Lubbock restaurant.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=48}} The two often met during local shows, and Jennings began to attend Holly's performances on KDAV's ''Sunday Party''.{{sfn|Amburn|p=15|2014}}

In addition to performing on air for KVOW, Jennings started to work as a DJ in 1956{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q2QhJf4jR0C&dq=Waylon+Jennings+KLLL&pg=PT166 155]}} and moved to Lubbock.{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q2QhJf4jR0C&dq=Waylon+Jennings+KLLL&pg=PT166 155]}} His program ran from 4:00 in the afternoon to 10:00 in the evening, filled with two hours of country classics, two of current country, and two of mixed recordings.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=40}} The latter included early rock-and-roll stars such as [[Chuck Berry]] and [[Little Richard]]. The owner reprimanded Jennings for his selection, and after playing two Little Richard records in a row Jennings was fired.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=47}}

During his time at KVOW Jennings was visited by DJ Sky Corbin of [[KLVT]] in Levelland. Corbin was impressed with his voice, and decided to visit Jennings at the station after hearing him sing a jingle to the tune of Hank Snow's "[[I'm Moving On (Hank Snow song)|I'm Moving On]]". Jennings expressed his struggle to live on a $50-a-week salary. Corbin invited Jennings to visit KLVT, where he eventually took Corbin's position when it opened.<ref>{{cite news|author=Corbin, Sky|url=http://www.klll.com/The-Waylon-Jennings-Years-at-KLLL-Part-One-/18144181?pid=393697|title=The Waylon Jennings Years at KLLL (Part One)|work=KLLL|publisher=KLLL Lubbock|access-date=July 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714171821/http://www.klll.com/The-Waylon-Jennings-Years-at-KLLL-Part-One-/18144181?pid=393697|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> The Corbin family later purchased [[KLLL]], in Lubbock. They changed the format of the station to country, becoming the main competition of KDAV. The Corbins hired Jennings as the station's first DJ.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=51}}

{{listen|filename=Jole Blon Waylon Jennings.ogg|title=Jole Blon|description=During his first recording session in September 1958, Jennings was accompanied by Buddy Holly on the guitar and King Curtis on the saxophone}}
Jennings produced commercials and created jingles with the rest of the DJs. As their popularity increased, the DJs made public appearances. Jennings's events included live performances. During one performance, Holly's father, L. O. Holley, approached them with his son's latest record and asked them to play it at the station. Holley mentioned his son's intention to start producing artists himself, and Corbin recommended Jennings. After returning from his tour of England Buddy Holly visited KLLL.<ref>{{cite news|author=Corbin, Sky|url=http://www.klll.com/The-Waylon-Jennings-Years-at-KLLL-Part-Two-The-int/18144181?pid=393913|title=The Waylon Jennings Years at KLLL (Part Two)|work=KLLL|publisher=KLLL Lubbock|access-date=July 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165213/http://www.klll.com/The-Waylon-Jennings-Years-at-KLLL-Part-Two-The-int/18144181?pid=393913|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

Holly took Jennings as his first artist. He outfitted him with new clothes, and worked with him to improve his image.<ref>{{cite news|author=Corbin, Sky|url=http://www.klll.com/The-Waylon-Jennings-Years-at-KLLL-Part-Four-/18144181?pid=394643|title=The Waylon Jennings Years at KLLL (Part Four)|work=KLLL|publisher=KLLL Lubbock|access-date=July 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714175405/http://www.klll.com/The-Waylon-Jennings-Years-at-KLLL-Part-Four-/18144181?pid=394643|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> He arranged a session for Jennings at [[Norman Petty]]'s recording studios in [[Clovis, New Mexico]]. On September 10, Jennings recorded the songs "[[Jole Blon]]" and "When Sin Stops (Love Begins)" with Holly and [[Tommy Allsup]] on guitars and saxophonist [[King Curtis]]. Holly then hired Jennings to play bass for him during his "Winter Dance Party Tour".{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q2QhJf4jR0C&dq=Waylon+Jennings+KLLL&pg=PT166 155]}}

=== Winter Dance Party tour ===
Before the tour, Holly vacationed with his wife in Lubbock and visited Jennings's radio station in December 1958. Jennings and Sky Corbin performed the hand-claps to Holly's tune "You're the One".{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p = 51}} Jennings and Holly soon left for New York City,<ref>{{cite news|author=Corbin, Sky |url=http://www.klll.com/pages/18144181.php?pid=395032 |title=The Waylon Jennings Years at KLLL (Part Five) |work=KLLL |publisher=KLLL Lubbock |access-date=July 2, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714155659/http://www.klll.com/pages/18144181.php?pid=395032 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 }}</ref> arriving on January 15, 1959. Jennings stayed at Holly's apartment by [[Washington Square Park]] prior to a meeting scheduled at the headquarters of the [[General Amusement Corporation|General Artists Corporation]], which organized the tour.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp = 58–59}} They later took a train to Chicago to join the band.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p = 62}}

[[File:Waylon Jennings and Buddy Holly in 1959 - 2.jpg|thumb|200px|Jennings (left) in a photo booth in [[Grand Central Terminal]] with [[Buddy Holly]] on January 23, 1959]]
The [[Winter Dance Party]] tour began in [[Milwaukee, Wisconsin]], on January 23, 1959. The amount of travel created logistical problems, as the distance between venues had not been considered when scheduling each performance. Adding to the problem, the unheated tour buses twice broke down in freezing weather, leading to drummer [[Carl Bunch]] being hospitalized for frostbite on his toes. Holly made the decision to find another means of transportation.{{sfn|Everitt|2004|p = [https://books.google.com/books?id=H4TSH_b7IHYC&dq=%22I%20hope%20your%20ol'%20bus%20freezes%20up%22&pg=PA13 13]}}

Before their performance at the [[Surf Ballroom]] in [[Clear Lake, Iowa]], Holly chartered a four-seat [[Beechcraft Bonanza]] airplane from Dwyer Flying Service in [[Mason City, Iowa]], for himself, Jennings, and Tommy Allsup, to avoid the long bus trip to their next venue in [[Moorhead, Minnesota]]. Following the Clear Lake show (which ended around midnight), Allsup lost a coin toss and gave up his seat on the charter plane to [[Ritchie Valens]], while Jennings voluntarily gave up his seat to J. P. Richardson, known as [[the Big Bopper]], who was suffering from the flu and complaining about how cold and uncomfortable the tour bus was for a man of his size.{{sfn|Denberg, Jody|1988|p=103}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/04/entertainment/buddy-holly-plane-crash-reexamined/index.html|title=Buddy Holly plane crash may be re-examined|date=March 4, 2015|last1=Hetter|first1=Katia|last2=Marsh|first2=Rene|website=CNN}}</ref>

When Holly learned that his bandmates had given up their seats on the plane and had chosen to take the bus rather than fly, a friendly banter between Holly and Jennings ensued, and it would come back to haunt Jennings for decades to follow: Holly jokingly told Jennings, "Well, I hope your ol' bus freezes up!" Jennings jokingly replied, "Well, I hope your ol' plane crashes!"{{sfn|Everitt|2004|p = [https://books.google.com/books?id=H4TSH_b7IHYC&dq=%22I+hope+your+ol%27+bus+freezes+up%22&pg=PA15 15]}} Under 90 minutes later, shortly after 1:00 am on February 3, 1959, [[The Day the Music Died|Holly's charter plane crashed]] into a cornfield outside Mason City, instantly killing all on board.{{sfn|Everitt|2004|p = [https://books.google.com/books?id=H4TSH_b7IHYC&dq=%22I%20hope%20your%20ol'%20bus%20freezes%20up%22&pg=PA18 18], 19}}

Later that morning, Jennings's family heard on the radio that "Buddy Holly and his band had been killed." After calling his family, Jennings called Sky Corbin at KLLL from Fargo to confirm that he had not been aboard the plane.<ref>{{cite news|author=Corbin, Sky|url=http://www.klll.com/pages/18144181.php?pid=395376|title=The Waylon Jennings Years at KLLL (Part Six)|work=KLLL|publisher=KLLL Lubbock|access-date=July 2, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714150323/http://www.klll.com/pages/18144181.php?pid=395376|archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref> The General Artists Corporation promised to pay for first-class tickets for Jennings and the band to attend Holly's funeral in Lubbock in exchange for them playing that night in Moorhead.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p = 71}} After the first show, they were initially denied their payment by the venue, but after Jennings's persistence, they were paid.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p = 72}} The flights were never paid for,{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p = 73}} and Jennings and Allsup continued the tour for two more weeks, featuring Jennings as the lead singer.{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p = [https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q2QhJf4jR0C&dq=Waylon+Jennings+KLLL&pg=PT166 155]}} They were paid less than half of the original agreed salary, and upon returning to New York, Jennings put Holly's guitar and amplifier in a locker in [[Grand Central Terminal]] and mailed the keys to [[Maria Elena Holly]]. Then he returned to Lubbock.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p = 74}}

In the early 1960s, Jennings wrote and recorded "The Stage (Stars in Heaven)", a tribute to Valens, the Big Bopper, and Holly, as well as [[Eddie Cochran]], a young musician who died in a road accident a year after the plane crash.

For decades afterward, Jennings repeatedly stated that he felt responsible for the crash that killed Holly. This sense of guilt precipitated bouts of substance abuse through much of his career.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p = 70}}

"Jole Blon" was released on Brunswick in March 1959 with limited success.<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> Now unemployed, Jennings returned to KLLL. Deeply affected by Holly's death, Jennings's performance at the station worsened. He left the station after he was denied a raise, and later worked briefly for the competition, KDAV.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp = 77–81}}

=== Phoenix ===
Due to his father-in-law's illness, Jennings had to shuttle between Arizona and Texas. While his family lived back in Littlefield, Jennings found a job briefly at [[KODM|KOYL]] in [[Odessa, Texas]].{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=81}} He moved with his family to [[Coolidge, Arizona]], where his wife Maxine's sister lived. He found a job performing at the Galloping Goose bar, where he was heard by Earl Perrin, who offered him a spot on [[KCKY]]. Jennings also played during the intermission at [[drive-in theater]]s and in bars.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=82–86}} After a successful performance at the Cross Keys Club in [[Phoenix, Arizona|Phoenix]], he was approached by two contractors (Paul Pristo and Dean Coffman) who were building a club in [[Scottsdale, Arizona|Scottsdale]] for James (Jimmy) D. Musil, called JD's. Musil engaged Jennings as his main artist<ref name=pnt>, with Jennings noted to be at the construction site.  [https://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/music/requiem-for-an-outlaw-6413445 "Requiem for an Outlaw", ''Phoenix New Times'', February 21, 2002]<!--Note that this is the correct spelling of "Musil"; it is incorrectly spelled "Musial" in the Kaye biography.--></ref> and designed the club around his act.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=89}}

Jennings formed his backing band, [[the Waylors]], with bassist Paul Foster, guitarist Jerry Gropp, and drummer Richie Albright.{{sfn|Smith|p=15|1995}} The band soon earned a strong local fan base at JD's,{{sfn|Erlewine|Bogdanov|Woodstra|2003|p=375}} where Jennings developed his rock-influenced style of country music that defined him on his later career.{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p= 159}}

[[File:Waylon Jennings - A&M Records.jpg|thumb|200px|Jennings in a promotional shot for [[A&M Records]] in 1963|left]]
In 1961, Jennings signed a recording contract with [[Trend Records]],{{sfn|Erlewine|Bogdanov|Woodstra|2003|p=375}} and experienced moderate success with his single, "Another Blue Day".{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q2QhJf4jR0C&dq=Waylon%20Jennings%20KLLL&pg=PT167 156]}} His friend [[Don Bowman (singer)|Don Bowman]] took demos of Jennings to [[Jerry Moss]], who at the time was starting [[A&M Records]] with associate [[Herb Alpert]]. In July 1963 Jennings signed a contract with A&M that granted him 5% of record sales. At A&M, he recorded "Love Denied" backed with "[[Rave On!|Rave On]]", and [[Ian Tyson]]'s "[[Four Strong Winds]]" backed with "[[Just to Satisfy You (song)|Just to Satisfy You]]". He followed up by recording demos of "[[The Twelfth of Never]]", "[[Kisses Sweeter than Wine (song)|Kisses Sweeter than Wine]]", and "[[Don't Think Twice, It's All Right]]", and also produced the single "Sing the Girls a Song, Bill", backed with "[[The Race Is On]]". The singles were released between April and October 1964.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=94–96}}

Jennings's records found little success at A&M, because the label was releasing mostly [[folk music]] rather than country at the time.{{sfn|Wolff|Duane|2000|p={{google books|id=3Jorozp1yp4C|p=360}}}} He had a few regional hits around Phoenix, due to local radio airplay with  "Four Strong Winds" and "Just To Satisfy You", which was co-written with Bowman. Meanwhile, he recorded an album on BAT records produced by James Musil and engineered by Jack Miller, called "JD's Waylon Jennings" on the front of the album, and "Waylon Jennings at JD's" on the back side. After 500 copies were sold at the club another 500 were pressed by the Sounds label.<ref>Country Music Foundation; p. 53</ref> He also played lead guitar for [[Patsy Montana]] on a 1964 album.{{sfn|Montana, Patsy|Frost, Jane|2002|p=166}}

Singer [[Bobby Bare]] heard Jennings's "Just to Satisfy You" on his car radio while passing through Phoenix, and recorded it and "Four Strong Winds".{{sfn|Streissguth|2013|p=52}} After stopping in Phoenix to attend a Jennings performance at JD's, Bare called [[Chet Atkins]], head of the [[RCA Victor]] studios in Nashville, and suggested he sign Jennings.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=102–103}} Unsure after being offered a deal with RCA if he should quit his gig at JD's and relocate to Nashville, he sought the advice of RCA artist and friend [[Willie Nelson]], who had attended one of Jennings's shows. Upon hearing how well financially Jennings was doing at JD's Nelson suggested he stay in Phoenix.{{sfn|Nelson|Shrake|Shrake|2000|p=158}}

Jennings then asked Herb Alpert to release him from his contract with A&M, which Alpert did.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=104}} Later, after Jennings became successful, A&M compiled all of his singles and unreleased recordings and issued them as an album, ''[[Don't Think Twice (album)|Don't Think Twice]]''.{{sfn|Smith|p=231|1995}} Atkins formally signed Jennings to [[RCA Victor]] in 1965.{{sfn|Wolff|Duane|2000|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jorozp1yp4C&dq=Four%20Strong%20Winds%20%20Just%20To%20Satisfy%20You%20phoenix&pg=PA360 360]}} In August Jennings made his first appearance on ''Billboard's'' [[Hot Country Songs]] chart with "That's the Chance I'll Have to Take".{{sfn|Henderson|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=FikEAAAAMBAJ&dq=the%20waylors&pg=PA84 84]|2001}}

===The Nashville Sound===
[[File:Waylon Jennings Promotional Picture cropped.JPG|thumb|200px|Jennings in an RCA Victor publicity photo in late-1965.]]
In 1966, Jennings released his debut RCA Victor album ''[[Folk-Country]]'', followed by ''[[Leavin' Town]]'' and ''[[Nashville Rebel]]''.{{sfn|Cramer|p=715|2009}}{{sfn|Thompson|p=622|2002}} ''Leavin' Town'' resulted in significant chart success as the first two singles "Anita, You're Dreaming" and "Time to Bum Again" both peaked at number 17 on the ''Billboard'' [[Hot Country Songs]] chart. The album's third single, a cover of [[Gordon Lightfoot]]'s "[[(That's What You Get) For Lovin' Me]]", peaked at no. 9, Jennings's first top 10 single. ''Nashville Rebel'' was the soundtrack to an independent film, ''The [[Nashville Rebel (film)|Nashville Rebel]]'', starring Jennings.<ref name="rebel">The Southern Quarterly; p. 118</ref> The single "Green River" charted on ''Billboard'' country singles at no. 11.{{sfn|Henderson|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=FikEAAAAMBAJ&dq=the%20waylors&pg=PA84 84]|2001}}

{{Listen|filename=Just to Satisfy You Waylon Jennings.ogg|title="Just to Satisfy You"|description= From the album of the [[Just to Satisfy You (album)|same name]], the song was a local radio hit for Jennings in Nashville}}
In 1967, Jennings released a hit single, "[[Just to Satisfy You (song)|Just to Satisfy You]]". During an interview, Jennings remarked that the song was a "pretty good example" of the influence of his work with Buddy Holly and rockabilly music.{{sfn|Country song roundup staff|1967}} Jennings produced mid-chart albums that sold well, including 1967's ''[[Just to Satisfy You (album)|Just to Satisfy You]]'', which included the hit single.{{sfn|Cramer|p=715|2009}} Jennings's singles enjoyed success. "[[The Chokin' Kind]]" peaked at number eight on ''Billboard's'' Hot Country Singles in 1967, while "[[Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line]]" hit number two the following year. In 1969, his collaboration with the Kimberlys on the single "[[MacArthur Park (song)|MacArthur Park]]" earned a [[Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group]]. His single "[[Brown Eyed Handsome Man]]" reached number three at the Hot Country Singles chart by the end of the year.{{sfn|Kingsbury|2004|p=247}}

During this time, Jennings rented an apartment in Nashville with singer [[Johnny Cash]].{{sfn|Streissguth|2007|p=135}} Jennings and Cash were both managed by "Lucky" Moeller's booking agency Moeller Talent, Inc.{{sfn|Kingsbury|2004|p=333}} The tours organized by the agency were unproductive, with the artists being booked to venues located far from each other in close dates. After paying for the accommodation and travel expenditures, Jennings was frequently forced to request advances from the agency or RCA Victor to make the next venue. While playing 300 days on the road, Jennings's debt increased, and along with it his consumption of [[amphetamine]]. He believed himself to be "trapped on the circuit".{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=112, 182}}

In 1972, Jennings released ''[[Ladies Love Outlaws (Waylon Jennings album)|Ladies Love Outlaws]]''. The single that headlined the album became a hit for Jennings, and was his first approach to [[outlaw country]].{{sfn|Larkin|1995|p=3005}} Jennings was accustomed to performing and recording with his own band, [[Waymore's Outlaws|the Waylors]], a practice that was not encouraged by powerful Nashville producers, who favored the [[Nashville sound]] produced by a roster of experienced local studio musicians. The music style publicized as "[[countrypolitan]]" was characterized by orchestral arrangements and the absence of most traditional country music instruments. The producers did not let Jennings play his own guitar or select material to record.{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q2QhJf4jR0C&dq=Waylon%20Jennings%20KLLL&pg=PT167 156]}} Jennings felt limited by Nashville's lack of artistic freedom.{{sfn|Petrusich|2008|p=[https://archive.org/details/itstillmoveslost00petr_0/page/105 <!-- quote=waylon jennings Nashville sound. --> 105]}}

=== Outlaw country ===
By 1972, after the release of ''Ladies Love Outlaws'', his recording contract was nearing an end. Upon contracting [[hepatitis]], Jennings was hospitalized. Sick and frustrated with the Nashville music industry, he was considering retirement. Albright visited him and convinced him to continue, suggesting he hire Neil Reshen as his new manager. Meanwhile, Jennings requested a $25,000 royalty advance from RCA Records to cover his living expenses during his recovery. The same day he met Reshen, RCA sent Jerry Bradley to offer Jennings $5,000 as a bonus for signing a new 5% royalty deal with RCA, the same terms he had accepted in 1965. After reviewing the offer with Reshen, he rejected it and hired Reshen.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=182–186}}

[[File:Kris Willie Waylon.jpg|thumb|left|L–R: [[Kris Kristofferson]], [[Willie Nelson]], and Jennings at the [[Dripping Springs Reunion]], in 1972.]]
Reshen started to renegotiate Jennings's recording and touring contracts. At a meeting in a Nashville airport Jennings introduced Reshen to Willie Nelson. By the end of the meeting Reshen had become Nelson's manager as well. Jennings's new deal included a $75,000 advance and artistic control.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=187–192}}{{sfn|Petrusich|2008|p=[https://archive.org/details/itstillmoveslost00petr_0/page/106 <!-- quote=waylon jennings Nashville sound. --> 106]}} Reshen advised Jennings to keep the beard that he had grown in the hospital, to match the image of outlaw country.{{sfn|Larkin|1995|p=2159}}{{sfn|Lewis|1993|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8_afNI8SL6UC&dq=Neil%20reshen%22%20willie%20nelson%20waylon&pg=PA169 169]}}{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=266}}

By 1973 Nelson found success with [[Atlantic Records]]. Now based in [[Austin, Texas]], he began to attract rock and roll fans to his shows, which gained him notice in its press.{{sfn|Reid|Sahm|2010|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=1gry61absiEC&dq=armadillo+world+headquarters+willie+nelson&pg=PA79 79]}}{{sfn|Reid|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=qCDF5fFuBT8C&dq=Willie%27s+RCA+contract+guaranteed&pg=PA224 224]}} Atlantic Records made a bid to sign Jennings, but Nelson's rise to popularity persuaded RCA to renegotiate with him before losing another potential star.{{sfn|Petrusich|2008|p=106}}

In 1973, Jennings released ''[[Lonesome, On'ry and Mean]]'' and ''[[Honky Tonk Heroes]]'', the first albums recorded and released under his creative control. This heralded a major turning point for Jennings, resulting in his most critically and commercially successful years.{{sfn|Wolff|Duane|2000|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jorozp1yp4C&dq=Lonesome%2C%20On'ry%20and%20Mean%20and%20Honky%20Tonk%20Heroes&pg=PA340 340]}} More hit albums followed with ''[[This Time (Waylon Jennings album)|This Time]]'' and ''[[The Ramblin' Man]]'', both released in 1974. The title tracks of both albums topped the ''Billboard'' Country singles chart, with the self-penned "This Time" becoming Jennings's first no. 1 single. ''[[Dreaming My Dreams (Waylon Jennings album)|Dreaming My Dreams]]'', released in 1975, included the no. 1 single "[[Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way]]", and became his first album to be certified gold by the [[Recording Industry Association of America|RIAA]]; it was also the first of six consecutive solo studio albums to be certified gold or higher.{{sfn|Wolff|Duane|2000|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=3Jorozp1yp4C&dq=Lonesome%2C%20On'ry%20and%20Mean%20and%20Honky%20Tonk%20Heroes&pg=PA340 340]}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/the-ramblin-man-r107198/review|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas |title=The Ramblin' Man&nbsp;– Overview|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=October 24, 2011}}</ref> In 1976 Jennings released ''[[Are You Ready for the Country]]''. Jennings wanted Los Angeles producer [[Ken Mansfield]] to produce the record, but RCA initially balked. Jennings and the Waylors traveled to Los Angeles and recorded with Mansfield at Jennings's own expense. A month later, Jennings returned to Nashville and presented the master tape to [[Chet Atkins]], who, after listening to it, decided to release it. The album reached number 1 ''Billboard''{{'}}s country albums three times the same year, topping the charts for 10 weeks. It was named country album of the year in 1976 by ''[[Record World]]'' magazine and was certified gold by the [[RIAA]].<ref>Mansfield, Ken; pp. [https://books.google.com/books?id=Je7C3JHRs7UC&dq=%22Are+You+Ready+for+the+Country%22+waylon&pg=PA171 171], [https://books.google.com/books?id=Je7C3JHRs7UC&dq=%22Are+You+Ready+for+the+Country%22+waylon&pg=PA172 172]</ref>

{{Listen|filename=Luckenbach, Texas Waylon Jennings.ogg|title="Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)"|description= A hit for Jennings, the song was released in the album ''Ol' Waylon''}}

In 1976, RCA released the compilation album ''[[Wanted! The Outlaws]]'', with Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and Jennings's wife, Jessi Colter. The album was the first country music album certified [[RIAA certification|platinum]].{{sfn|Carr|Munde|1997|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=6Q2QhJf4jR0C&dq=Waylon%20Jennings%20KLLL&pg=PT167 156]}} The following year, RCA issued ''[[Ol' Waylon]]'', an album that produced a hit duet with Nelson, "[[Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)|Luckenbach, Texas]]".{{sfn|Huang|p=325|1999}} The album ''[[Waylon and Willie]]'' followed in 1978, producing the hit single "[[Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys]]".{{sfn|Wishart|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=rtRFyFO4hpEC&dq=waylon%20%26%20Willie%201978%20Mammas%20Don't%20Let%20Your%20Babies%20Grow%20Up%20to%20Be%20Cowboys&pg=PA541 54]}} Jennings released ''[[I've Always Been Crazy]]'', also in 1978.{{sfn|Kingsbury2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=v4GQDYx_RnkC&dq=greatest%20hits%20I've%20always%20been%20crazy%20waylon&pg=PA612 612]}} The same year, at the peak of his success, Jennings began to feel limited by the outlaw movement.{{sfn|Lewis|1993|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8_afNI8SL6UC&dq=waylon%20jennings%20outlaw%20image&pg=PA169 169]}} Jennings referred to the overexploitation of the image in the song "[[Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand]]?", claiming that the movement had become a "self-fulfilling prophecy".{{sfn|Lewis|1993|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=8_afNI8SL6UC&dq=waylon%20jennings%20outlaw%20image&pg=PA169 169]}}{{sfn|Schäfer|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=cSqjy9rCjvoC&dq=waylon+jennings+outlaw+image&pg=PA60 60]|2012}} In 1979, RCA released Jennings first ''[[Greatest Hits (Waylon Jennings album)|Greatest Hits]]'' compilation,{{sfn|Kingsbury2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=v4GQDYx_RnkC&dq=greatest%20hits%20I've%20always%20been%20crazy%20waylon&pg=PA612 612]}} which was certified gold the same year, and quintuple platinum in 2002.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=waylon+jennings&ti=Greatest+hits&lab=&genre=&format=&date_option=release&from=&to=&award=&type=&category=&adv=SEARCH#search_section|title=RIAA Searchable Database|work=RIAA.com|publisher=The Recording Industry Association of America|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref>

Also in 1979, Jennings joined the cast of the [[CBS]] series ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'' as the Balladeer, the narrator. The only episode to feature him as an actor was "[[List of The Dukes of Hazzard episodes#Season 7 (1984–1985) – 17 episodes|Welcome, Waylon Jennings]]", during the seventh season. Jennings played himself, presented as an old friend of the Duke family. For the show he also wrote and sang the theme song "[[Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol' Boys)|Good Ol' Boys]]", which became the biggest hit of his career. Released as a single in promotion with the show, it became Jennings's 12th single to reach number one on the ''Billboard'' Country Singles chart. It was also a crossover hit, peaking at no. 21 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.{{sfn|Kingsbury2004|p=612}}

=== Later years ===
[[File:Waylon Jennings 1.jpg|thumb|left|150px|Jennings in concert, playing his custom 1953 Fender Telecaster]]
In the mid-1980s, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Jennings formed a successful group called [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|the Highwaymen]].<ref>{{harvnb|Seal|2011|p=141}} [https://books.google.com/books?id=iteuvr3s2jgC&dq=the%20highwayman%20waylon&pg=PA141 View page]</ref> Aside from his work with the Highwaymen, Jennings released a gold album ''[[WWII (album)|WWII]]'' (1982) with Willie Nelson.{{sfn|Wishart|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=rtRFyFO4hpEC&dq=waylon%20%26%20Willie%201978%20Mammas%20Don't%20Let%20Your%20Babies%20Grow%20Up%20to%20Be%20Cowboys&pg=PA541 54]}}

In 1985, Jennings joined with [[USA for Africa]] to record "[[We Are the World]]", but he left the studio because of a dispute over the song's lyrics that were to be sung in [[Swahili language|Swahili]].{{sfn|Breskin|2004|p=6}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/waylon-jennings-walked-out-we-are-the-world/|title=Waylon Jennings&nbsp;-Biography|work=Taste of Country|author=Whitaker, Sterling|date=January 28, 2021 }}</ref> By this time, his sales had decreased. After the release of ''[[Sweet Mother Texas]]'', Jennings signed with [[Music Corporation of America|MCA Records]].<ref name="AM">{{cite web|url=http://allmusic.com/artist/waylon-jennings-p1663/biography|title=Waylon Jennings&nbsp;– Biography|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|author=Erlewine, Stephen Thomas}}</ref> His debut release with the label, ''[[Will the Wolf Survive]]'' (1985), peaked at number one in ''Billboard's'' Country albums in 1986.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/artist/waylon-jennings/chart-history/clp/|title=Waylon Jennings Chart History – Top Country Albums|magazine=Billboard|access-date=May 4, 2021}}</ref> Jennings's initial success tailed off, and in 1990, he signed with [[Epic Records]]. His first release, ''[[The Eagle (album)|The Eagle]]'', became his final top 10 album.<ref name="AM" />{{sfn|Clarke|1998|p=648}}

Also in 1985, he made a cameo appearance in the live-action children's film ''[[Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird]]''. In the movie, he plays a turkey farm truck driver who gives [[Big Bird]] a lift. He also sings one of the film's songs, entitled "Ain't No Road Too Long".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Dodero |first=Camille |date=October 8, 2016 |title=From 'Rubber Duckie' to One Direction (but please, no Eminem): Questlove, Big Bird (!) and the creators of Sesame Street reveal the secrets behind the legendary show's music--stay away from controversial artists--which has yielded viral videos and a lawsuit from The Beatles. |volume=128 |pages=48 |magazine=Billboard |issue=25}}</ref> In 1993, in collaboration with Rincom Children's Entertainment, Jennings recorded an album of children's songs, ''[[Cowboys, Sisters, Rascals & Dirt]]'', which included "Shooter's Theme", a tribute to his 14-year-old with the theme of "a friend of mine".{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=370}}

As his record sales and radio play declined through the 1990s, Jennings continued to draw large crowds to his live performances.<ref name="AM" /> In 1994 Jennings made a small appearance in the movie ''Maverick'', with Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner.

In 1996, Jennings released his album, ''[[Right for the Time]]''. In 1997, after the ''[[Lollapalooza]]'' tour, he decreased his tour schedule to focus on his family.{{sfn|Birk|2005|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=db7uwE2_lJ8C&dq=Cowboys%2C+Sisters%2C+Rascals+and+Dirt+waylon+jennings&pg=PA71 71]}} In 1998, Jennings teamed up with Bare, [[Jerry Reed]], and [[Mel Tillis]] to form the [[Old Dogs (group)|Old Dogs]]. The group recorded a double album of songs by [[Shel Silverstein]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p352588|title=Old Dogs|work=Allmusic|publisher=Rovi Corporation|access-date=October 25, 2011|author=Ankeny, Jason}}</ref>

In mid-1999, Jennings assembled what he referred to as his "hand-picked dream team" and formed Waylon & the Waymore Blues Band. Consisting primarily of former Waylors, the 13-member group performed concerts from 1999 to 2001.{{sfn|George-Warren|Romanowski|Pareles|2001|p=492}} As his health declined, Jennings decided to end his touring career.<ref>{{cite news|author=Whitaker, Sterling|date=February 13, 2020|title=Remember When Waylon Jennings Gave His Final Performance?|url=https://tasteofcountry.com/waylon-jennings-final-performance/|access-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref> In January 2000, Jennings recorded what became his final album at Nashville's [[Ryman Auditorium]], ''[[Never Say Die: Live]]''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452290/country-legend-waylon-jennings-dies-at-64.jhtml|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928091829/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452290/country-legend-waylon-jennings-dies-at-64.jhtml|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 28, 2013|title=Country Music Outlaw Waylon Jennings Dies at 64|date=February 13, 2002|author=D'Angelo, Joe|work=MTV News|publisher=MTV Networks|access-date=October 25, 2011}}</ref>

== Music style and image ==

Jennings's music was characterized by his powerful rough-edged singing voice, phrasing and texture.{{sfn|Brown|p=132|1986}}{{sfn|Ward|2012|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=9Y1EZ_cMs6kC&dq=Waylon%20jennings%20voice&pg=PA308 308]}}
He was also recognized for his "spanky-twang" guitar style. To create his sound, he used a pronounced 'phaser' effect plus a mixture of thumb and fingers during the rhythmic parts, while using picks for the lead runs. He combined [[hammer-on]] and [[pull-off]] riffs, with eventual upper-fret [[double stop]]s and [[Modulation (music)|modulation effects]].{{sfn|Hunter|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=uneqkeXAzoIC&dq=Waylon%20jennings%20guitar&pg=PA124 124]|2010}} Jennings played a 1953 [[Fender Telecaster]], a used guitar that was a gift from the Waylors. Jennings's bandmates adorned his guitar with a distinctive leather cover that featured a black background with a white floral work.{{sfn|Hunter|2010|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=uneqkeXAzoIC&dq=Waylon%20jennings%20guitar&pg=PA125 125]}}{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=105}} Jennings further customized it by filing down the [[fret]]s to lower the strings on the neck to obtain the slapping sound.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=Country Guitar|date=February 1995|title=Waylon Jennings guitar|page=15}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine |magazine=Guitar Player|volume=7|publisher=Miller Freeman Publications|year=1973|page=118|title=Interview: Waylon Jennings}}</ref> Among his other guitars, Jennings used a 1950 Fender Broadcaster from the mid-1970s, until he gave it to guitarist [[Reggie Young]] in 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/musical-instruments/waylon-jennings-fender-electric-instrument-company-a-5273111-details.aspx|title=Waylon Jennings Fender Electric Instrument Company, a solid-body electric guitar, broadcaster, Fullerton, CA, circa 1950|work=Christie's|publisher=Christies.com|access-date=June 14, 2013}}</ref> The leather covers of his guitars were carved by leather artist Terry Lankford.<ref>{{cite interview|last1=Arender|first1=Tammi|subject2=Terry Lankford|title=Lankford Leather|url=http://www.wnpt.org/productions/crossroads/v2/2012/2012_apr.html|work=Tennessee Crossroads|publisher=WNPT|date=April 19, 2012|location=Nashville, Tennessee|chapter=2542|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131101141626/http://www.wnpt.org/productions/crossroads/v2/2012/2012_apr.html|archive-date=November 1, 2013}}</ref>

Jennings's signature image was characterized by his long hair, mustache and beard, and black hat and black leather vest he wore during his appearances.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://articles.cnn.com/2002-02-14/entertainment/obit.waylon.jennings_1_country-music-first-country-album-winter-dance-party?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|title=Country great Waylon Jennings dies at 64|date=February 14, 2002|work=CNN, Inc|access-date=May 22, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111216105923/http://articles.cnn.com/2002-02-14/entertainment/obit.waylon.jennings_1_country-music-first-country-album-winter-dance-party?_s=PM:SHOWBIZ|archive-date=December 16, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.americansongwriter.com/2012/04/willie-nelson-live-at-the-us-festival-1983/|title=Willie Nelson: Live! At the US Festival 1983|first=Dave Gil|last=de Rubio|date=April 13, 2012|access-date=May 22, 2012|work=American Songwriter|publisher=American Songwriter, LLC }}</ref>

== Personal life ==
Jennings was married four times and had six children.{{sfn|Brownstone, David|Franck, Irene|1997|p=213}} He married Maxine Caroll Lawrence in 1956 at age 18,{{sfn|Jennings, Terry|2016|p=21}} with whom he had four children. Jennings married Lynne Jones on December 10, 1962, and they adopted a daughter,{{Sfn|Jennings, Terry|2016|p=24}} but divorced in 1967. He married Barbara Elizabeth Rood the same year. He composed the song "[[This Time (Waylon Jennings song)|This Time]]" about the trials and tribulations of his marriages and divorces, it went on to become his first number 1 chart-topping song upon release in 1974.

Jennings married country singer [[Jessi Colter]] in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], on October 26, 1969. The couple had a son in 1979, Waylon Albright, known as [[Shooter Jennings]].{{sfn|Jennings, Terry|2016|pp=49–51}} In the early 1980s, Colter and Jennings nearly divorced due to his abuse of drugs and alcohol.{{sfn|Jennings, Terry|2016|p=64}} In 1990, after he stopped touring, Jennings earned a [[GED]] to set an example to Shooter about the importance of education.{{sfn|Birk|2005|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=db7uwE2_lJ8C&dq=Cowboys%2C%20Sisters%2C%20Rascals%20and%20Dirt%20waylon%20jennings&pg=PA72 72]}}{{sfn|Kingsbury|2004|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=untabCgOVkgC&dq=waylon%20jennings%20radio%20high%20school&pg=PA264 264]}} He studied for his GED by watching tapes of GED on TV programs from the [[Kentucky Educational Television]] network on his tour bus in 1989.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451602/waylon-jennings-to-receive-ged-from/|date=January 27, 1990|page=C1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451626/jennings/ C2]|first=Joseph S.|last=Stroud|title=Waylon Jennings to receive GED from Martha Wilkinson|newspaper=Lexington Herald-Leader|location=Lexington, Kentucky|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=December 11, 2022|archive-date=December 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221211164522/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114451602/waylon-jennings-to-receive-ged-from/|url-status=live}}</ref><!-- Sat -->

=== Addiction and recovery ===
Jennings started to consume [[amphetamines]] while he lived with [[Johnny Cash]] during the mid-1960s. Jennings later stated, "Pills were the artificial energy on which Nashville ran around the clock."<ref name="Rolling Stone" />

In 1977, Jennings was arrested by federal agents for conspiracy and possession of [[cocaine]] with intent to distribute. A private courier warned the [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] about a package sent to Jennings by a New York colleague that contained 27 grams of cocaine. The DEA and the police searched Jennings's recording studio but found no evidence because, while they were waiting for a [[search warrant]], Jennings disposed of the drug. The charges were later dropped and Jennings was released.{{sfn|Hart|2007|p=184}} The episode was recounted in Jennings's song "[[Don't You Think This Outlaw Bit's Done Got Out of Hand]]".{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=322–325}}

During the early 1980s, his cocaine addiction intensified. Jennings claimed to have spent $1,500 ({{Inflation|US|1,500|1981|fmt=eq|r=-2|cursign=$}}) a day on his habit, draining his personal finances and leaving him bankrupt with debt up to $2.5&nbsp;million.{{sfn|Weatherby|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=w-1-NqaOaKsC&dq=Waylon%20Jennings%20cocaine&pg=PA46 46]|1988}}{{sfn|Ching|2001|p=[https://archive.org/details/wrongswhatidobes00chin/page/124 <!-- quote="$2.5 million" waylon. --> 124]}} Though he insisted on repaying the debt and did additional tours to do so, his work became less focused and his tours deteriorated.{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|pp=322–325}} Jennings leased a home in the Phoenix area and spent a month detoxing himself, intending to start using cocaine again in a more controlled fashion afterward. In 1984, he quit cocaine, claiming that his son Shooter was his main inspiration to finally do so.{{sfn|Weatherby|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=w-1-NqaOaKsC&dq=Waylon%20Jennings%20cocaine&pg=PA46 46]|1988}}

== Illness and death ==
[[File:Mesa-City of Mesa Cemetery-Waylon Jennings.JPG|thumb|upright|Grave of Waylon Jennings]]
Decades of smoking and drug use took a large toll on Jennings's health in addition to obesity and a poor diet, which resulted in his developing [[Type 2 diabetes]]. In 1988, four years after quitting cocaine, he ended his six-pack-a-day smoking habit.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20063513,00.html |title=The Outlaw in Love |magazine=People |access-date=July 3, 2013}}</ref> That same year, he underwent [[heart bypass surgery]].{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=322}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Archives/1988/12/13/Jennings-alert-after-heart-bypass-surgery/4369597992400/|title=Jennings alert after heart bypass surgery}}</ref> By 2000, his diabetes worsened, and the pain reduced his mobility to the point where he was forced to end most touring.{{sfn|Birk|2005|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=db7uwE2_lJ8C&dq=Cowboys%2C%20Sisters%2C%20Rascals%20and%20Dirt%20waylon%20jennings&pg=PA72 72]}} That same year, he underwent surgery to improve his left leg's blood circulation.<ref name="Rolling Stone" /> In December 2001, his left foot was amputated at a hospital in Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite news |date=January 5, 2002 |title=Doctors Amputate Jennings' Left Foot |url=https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/Doctors-Amputate-Jennings-Left-Foot-7323521.php |access-date=May 26, 2023 |website=Huron Daily Tribune |language=en-US |archive-date=May 26, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230526163802/https://www.michigansthumb.com/news/article/Doctors-Amputate-Jennings-Left-Foot-7323521.php |url-status=dead }}</ref>

On February 13, 2002, Jennings died in his sleep from complications of diabetes at his home in [[Chandler, Arizona]], aged 64.<ref>{{Cite news |date=February 13, 2002 |title=Waylon Jennings, Country Singer, Dies at 64 |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2002/02/13/obituaries/waylon-jennings-country-singer-dies-at-64.html |access-date=May 26, 2023 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2002/02/14/country-star-waylon-jennings-dies-at-64/fd38abf5-07ed-46a3-b771-846bad885662/|title=Country Star Waylon Jennings Dies at 64|newspaper=Washington Post|date=February 14, 2002}}</ref> He was buried in the [[City of Mesa Cemetery]] in nearby [[Mesa, Arizona|Mesa]].<ref>{{cite news|agency=Associated Press|title=Waylon Jennings laid to rest at private ceremony|newspaper=Arizona Daily Sun|date=February 16, 2002 |volume=56|number=120|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77033356/|page=A-4|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 4, 2021}} {{open access}}</ref>{{sfn|Birk|2005|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=db7uwE2_lJ8C&dq=Cowboys%2C%20Sisters%2C%20Rascals%20and%20Dirt%20waylon%20jennings&pg=PA72 72]}}

== Legacy ==
Between 1965 and 1991, ninety-six Jennings singles appeared on ''Billboard's'' Hot Country Singles chart and sixteen topped it. Between 1966 and 1995 fifty-four of his albums charted on ''Billboard's'' Top Country Albums, with 11 reaching Number 1.{{sfn|Jessen, Wade|Evans, Deborah|Stark, Phyllis|2002|p=8}}

In October 2001, Jennings was inducted into the [[Country Music Hall of Fame]], but he was unable to attend the ceremony due to the pain caused by his diabetes.{{sfn|Birk|2005|p= [https://books.google.com/books?id=db7uwE2_lJ8C&dq=Cowboys%2C%20Sisters%2C%20Rascals%20and%20Dirt%20waylon%20jennings&pg=PA72 72]}} On July 6, 2006, Jennings was inducted into [[Guitar Center]]'s RockWalk in Hollywood, California. Jessi Colter attended the ceremony along with Kris Kristofferson, who was inducted on the same day.{{sfn|AP staff|2006|p=2}} On June 20, 2007, Jennings was posthumously awarded the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award by the [[Academy of Country Music]]. During the ceremony, [[Ray Scott (singer)|Ray Scott]] sang "Rainy Day Woman" and the award was accepted by Buddy Jennings.{{sfn|Keel, Beverly|2007|p=4-B}}

Jennings's music had an influence on numerous artists,<ref name="AM" /> including [[Hank Williams Jr.]],{{sfn|Guralnick|p=203|1989}} [[the Marshall Tucker Band]],{{sfn|Browne|Browne|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=U3rJxPYT32MC&dq=hank%20williams%20jr%20influence%20waylon%20jennings&pg=PA515 515]|2001}} [[Travis Tritt]], [[Steve Earle]], [[Waylon (singer)|Waylon]], [[Eric Church]], [[Cody Jinks]], [[Jamey Johnson]], [[John Anderson (musician)|John Anderson]],{{sfn|Jennings|Kaye|1996|p=333}} his son Shooter Jennings, [[Sturgill Simpson]], [[Charley Crockett]] and [[Hank Williams III]]. George Jones' 1985 single "Who's Gonna Fill Their Shoes" references Waylon Jennings with the line, "Like the outlaw who walks through Jessi's dream". {{sfn|Fox|Ching|2008|p=10}}

[[File:Waylon Jennings Boulevard, Littlefield, TX IMG 4796.JPG|right|thumb|150px|Waylon Jennings Boulevard sign in Littlefield, Texas]]
[[Littlefield, Texas]] renamed one of its major roads, Tenth Street, to Waylon Jennings Boulevard.{{sfn|Goldberg, Jay|Huot, Alex|2018|p=172}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://legacy.lib.utexas.edu/maps/texas/1940_ed_maps/littlefield-texas-census-enumeration_districts-1940-3.jpg|title=1940 Census – Enumeration District Maps – Texas (Littlefield)|work=City of Littlefield|publisher=The University of Texas (Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection)|access-date=May 5, 2021}}</ref>
He was inducted to the [[Texas Country Music Hall of Fame]] in 1999.{{sfn|Jasinski|2012|p=831}}

===Posthumous releases===
====Studio albums====
In 2008, the posthumous album ''[[Waylon Forever]]'' was released.

In 2012, ''[[Goin' Down Rockin': The Last Recordings]]'' was released, a set of 12 songs recorded by Jennings and steel guitarist [[Robby Turner]], before Jennings' death in 2002.  The songs initially featured only Jennings's guitar and vocals, with Turner on bass; further accompaniment was intended to be added later. Turner completed the recordings in 2012 with the help of the remaining former members of [[The Waylors]]. The Jennings family approved the release.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/new-music-on-the-way-from_0_n_1272779.html|title=New Music on the Way From Late Waylon Jennings|author=Talbott, Chris|work=Huffington Post|date=February 13, 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420023351/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/13/new-music-on-the-way-from_0_n_1272779.html |archive-date=April 20, 2014 |access-date=April 18, 2014}}</ref> In 2016, Turner would release another project entitled ''[[The Lost Nashville Sessions]]'', a series of demo recordings that he and [[The Waylors]] had originally done on July 13, 1970 recorded at Scotty Moore's Music City Recorders.<ref name="MusicRow">{{cite web|url=https://musicrow.com/2016/12/waylon-jennings-lost-sessions-revived/|title=Waylon Jennings' Lost Sessions Revived|website=MusicRow|date=December 7, 2016 |access-date=September 26, 2025}}</ref>

In June of 2024 Shooter revealed that more new Waylon music would be on the way in 2025. On June 15, 2025 it was announced the first of 3 studio albums would be released on October 3rd of that year, with the first being entitled ''[[Songbird (Waylon Jennings album)|Songbird]]''. The title track was a take on [[Fleetwood Mac]]'s 1977 hit ''[[Songbird (Fleetwood Mac song)|Songbird]]''. On August 15, 2025 the album's second single, ''The Cowboy (Small Texas Town)'', would be released.<ref name="SongbirdCover">{{cite magazine|title=HEAR WAYLON JENNINGS' TENDER COVER OF FLEETWOOD MAC'S 'SONGBIRD'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/waylon-jennings-fleetwood-mac-songbird-cover-posthumous-lp-1235365113/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=15 June 2025 |access-date=August 11, 2025}}</ref> On September 26, a week before the first album would release, Shooter also revealed that in addition to the 3 studio albums by Waylon being released; there would be several other projects coming. Shooter would state there would be multiple live albums, side projects with [[Jessi Colter]], as well as a full length studio album by The Waylors that was set to be released in the 1970s that never saw the light of day, and would be spread out over the next 5 years up into 2030.<ref name="Garden & Gun">{{cite web|url=https://gardenandgun.com/articles/unheard-waylon-shooter-jennings-brings-a-trove-of-his-dads-unreleased-tracks-to-light/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=September2025_facebook&utm_content=waylonshooter|title=Unheard Waylon: Shooter Jennings Brings a Trove of His Dad's Unreleased Tracks to Light|website=Garden & Gun|date=September 24, 2025 |access-date=September 26, 2025}}</ref>

====Physical release only albums====
Between 2015 and 2017 two albums were released. The first, ''[[Live 55]]'', was a restored recording of Waylon on a radio broadcast at station KZZN where he was a DJ at the time in 1955. Only 1,000 copies of the album would be made.<ref name="BCR Media">{{cite magazine|title=Hear Waylon Jennings - Live 55|url=https://bcrmedia.com/products/waylon-jennings-live-55-lp|access-date=September 18, 2025}}</ref> The other was ''[[New Stuff]]'' containing demos recorded in 1998, of which only 1,500 copies would be made.<ref name="Rolling Stone">{{cite magazine|title=Hear Waylon Jennings' Unreleased Demo 'Good Time' for Record Store Day|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country/hear-waylon-jennings-unreleased-demo-good-time-for-record-store-day-120501/|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=21 November 2017 |access-date=September 17, 2025}}</ref>

==Discography==
{{Further|Waylon Jennings albums discography|Waylon Jennings singles discography}}

==Filmography==
{| class="wikitable"
|+Film
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1966 || ''[[Nashville Rebel (film)|Nashville Rebel]]'' || Arlin Grove || Feature film
|-
| 1975 || ''[[Moonrunners]]'' || The Balladeer || Feature film
|-
| 1985 || ''[[Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird]]'' || Truck Driver || Feature film
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Maverick (film)|Maverick]]'' || Man With Concealed Guns || Feature film (final film role)
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Television
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 1979–1985 || ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'' || The Balladeer || 147 episodes
|-
| 1980 || ''Waylon'' || Himself || TV movie
|-
| 1981 || ''The Oklahoma City Dolls'' || Wayne Doak || TV movie
|-
| 1984 || ''My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys'' || Himself || TV movie
|-
| 1985 || ''The All American Cowboy'' || Gunfighter || TV movie
|-
| 1985 || ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard]]'' || Himself || 1 episode; still served as Balladeer throughout episode
|-
| 1986 || ''[[Stagecoach (1986 film)|Stagecoach]]'' || Hatfield || TV movie
|-
| 1988 || ''[[Tanner '88]]'' || Himself || 1 episode
|-
| 1994 || ''[[Married... with Children]]'' || "Ironhead" Haynes || 1 episode
|-
| 1999 || ''[[The Long Kill]]'' || Tobey Naylor || TV movie
|-
| 1999 || ''[[The Angry Beavers]]'' || The Balladeer || 1 episode
|-
| 2000 || ''[[18 Wheels of Justice]]'' || John Murdocca || 1 episode
|-
| 1999–2001 || ''[[Family Guy]]'' || The Balladeer || 2 episodes; first episode was in 1999, second episode was in 2001 (final television role)
|-
| 2002 || ''[[Saddle Rash]]'' || Franny || Final television role<br>Pilot
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+Video games
|-
! Year !! Title !! Role !! Notes
|-
| 2000 || ''[[The Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home]]'' || The Balladeer || Only feature in a video game
|}

== Awards ==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year !! Award !! Organization
|-
| 1970 || [[Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] <small>with the Kimberlys</small> for "[[MacArthur Park (song)|MacArthur Park]]" || [[The Recording Academy]]<ref>{{cite news|author=Rose, Bob|title=Celeb Notes: Omar Proposes|agency=Chicago Daily News Service|newspaper=Cincinnati Enquirer|date=August 30, 1970 |volume=130|number=143|page=4-J|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/77100739/|via=Newspapers.com|access-date=May 5, 2021}} {{open access}}</ref>
|-
| 1975 || [[Country Music Association Awards|Male Vocalist of the Year]] || [[Country Music Association]]<ref name="CMA">{{Cite web |url=https://cmaawards.com/past-winners-and-nominees/ |title=Past Winners And Nominees |website=CMA Awards |language=en-US |access-date=February 6, 2019 }} (not possible to link directly to search results)</ref>
|-
| 1976 || [[Country Music Association Awards|Album of the Year]] <small>with [[Jessi Colter]], [[Willie Nelson]] and [[Tompall Glaser]]</small> for "[[Wanted! The Outlaws]]" || Country Music Association<ref name="CMA"/>
|-
| 1976 || [[Country Music Association Awards|Vocal Duo of the Year]] <small>with Willie Nelson</small> || Country Music Association<ref name="CMA"/>
|-
| 1976 || [[Country Music Association Awards|Single of the Year]] <small>with Willie Nelson</small> for "Good-Hearted Woman" || Country Music Association<ref name="CMA"/>
|-
| 1979 || [[Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal|Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal]] <small>with Willie Nelson</small> for "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys" || The Recording Academy<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/21st-annual-grammy-awards |title=21st Annual GRAMMY Awards |date=November 28, 2017 |website=GRAMMY.com |language=en |access-date=February 6, 2019 }}</ref>
|-
| 1985 || Single of the Year <small>with the other members of [[The Highwaymen (country supergroup)|the Highwaymen]]</small> for "[[Highwayman (song)|Highwayman]]" || [[Academy of Country Music]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.acmcountry.com/winners |title=Winners |website=Academy of Country Music |language=en |access-date=February 6, 2019 }} (not possible to link directly to search results)</ref>
|-
| 1999 || [[Texas Country Music Hall of Fame]] induction || Texas Country Music Hall of Fame<ref name="Jasinski">{{harvnb|Jasinski|2012|p=831}}</ref>
|-
| 2001 || [[Country Music Hall of Fame]] induction || Country Music Association<ref name="CMA"/>
|-
| 2006 || Guitar Center's RockWalk induction || [[Guitar Center]]{{sfn|AP staff|2006|p=2}}
|-
| 2007 || [[Academy of Country Music|Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award]] || Academy of Country Music{{sfn|Keel, Beverly|2007|p=4-B}}
|-
| 2007 || Lifetime Achievement Award || Nashville Songwriters' Festival<ref name="Jasinski"/>
|-
| 2017 || 100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time, Rank No.&nbsp;7 || ''[[Rolling Stone]]''<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-country-lists/100-greatest-country-artists-of-all-time-195775/ |title=100 Greatest Country Artists of All Time |last=Browne |first=David |date=June 15, 2017 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US |access-date=February 6, 2019 |display-authors=et al}}</ref>
|}

== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography|Texas|Music|Radio}}
* [[Jerry "Bo" Coleman]]
* [[Outlaw Country]]
* [[List of country musicians]]
* [[List of best-selling music artists]]
* [[Inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame]]
* [[The Wailin' Jennys]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

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{{refend}}

== Further reading ==
* Denisoff, R. Serge. ''Waylon: A Biography'' (1983). Knoxville: University of Tennessee Press. {{ISBN|0-87049-387-6}}.
* Smith, John L. (compiled by) ''The Waylon Jennings Discography'' (1995). Greenwood Press. {{ISBN|0-313-29745-2}}.
* Cunniff, Albert. ''Waylon Jennings'' (1985). Zebra Books.{{ISBN|0-821-71722-7}}.

== External links ==
{{Sister project links|Waylon Jennings|wikt=no|b=no|v=no|s=no|n=no}}
* [https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=1138130 Waylon Jennings: February 15, 2002 – Fresh Air from WHYY (RealAudio)]
* [https://www.usatoday.com/life/music/2002/2002-02-13-jennings-obit.htm ''USA Today'' obituary]
* {{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p1663|label=Waylon Jennings}}

{{Waylon Jennings}}
{{Highwaymen}}
{{CMA Album of the Year}}
{{CMA Male Vocalist of the Year}}
{{CMA Duo of the Year}}
{{2000s Country Music Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

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