Jennings, Waylon (1937-2002), was one of the most popular singers in country music. With singer Willie Nelson, Jennings helped establish a rougher, more rock-oriented style of country music that became known as “outlaw” music. This style contrasted with the smoother “Nashville sound” in country music.
Waylon Arnold Jennings was born on June 15, 1937, in Littlefield, Texas. He was a country music disc jockey in Texas at the age of 12. He joined Buddy Holly’s band as a bass player and toured with Holly for a year. Holly was the producer on Jennings’s first hit record, “Jole Blon” (1959). Jennings was supposed to fly on the plane that crashed and killed Holly in 1959. However, he gave his seat to singer J. P. (the Big Bopper) Richardson, who died in the crash.
In 1963, Jennings formed his own group, called the Waylons. The group played a blend of country and folk music. The guitarist and record producer Chet Atkins signed Jennings to a contract with RCA records in 1965. In 1969, Jennings won a Grammy Award for his recording of “MacArthur Park.” He began performing in his “outlaw” style in the early 1970’s, and by the mid-1970’s he had become one of the best-selling singers in country music history. His hits included “Luckenbach, Texas” (1977); “Amanda” (1979); and two duets with Willie Nelson, “Good Hearted Woman” (1978) and “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys” (1978). Jennings wrote and sang the theme song “Good Ol’ Boys” for the popular comedy television series “The Dukes of Hazzard” (1979-1985).
In 1985, Jennings joined with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson to form the Highwaymen. The group recorded several albums over the years, including Highwayman (1985), They Killed Him (1990), and The Road Goes On Forever (1995). Jennings wrote an autobiography, Waylon (1996). He married the country singer Jessi Colter in 1969. Their son Shooter Jennings became a country singer and motion-picture actor. Waylon Jennings was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. He died on Feb. 13, 2002.
