“Honesty
is something you can't wear out.” – Waylon Jennings
Born on this date in 1937, Jennings
grew up in Littlefield, TX, where he learned how to play guitar by the time he
was 8 and started in the entertainment business at age 12 – working as a DJ at
a local radio station. In 1954 he befriended
rising star Buddy Holly who also became his mentor, collaborating with him on
songs, and helping produce Waylon’s first record.
Jennings also became a fill-in
player for Holly’s group The Crickets and was with him in Iowa on his final
tour that ended in Holly’s death in a plane crash. Jennings was supposed to be on that plane
with Holly but at the last minute gave up his seat to The Big Bopper because
the latter was suffering from a bad cold.
Ultimately, Jennings became one of
the great songwriters and singers of country, country rock, and a new genre –
founded with Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson and Jessi Coulter – called
Outlaw Country. He was still at the height of his career when
he died in 2002 of complications from diabetes at the relatively young age of 64.
Jennings was known for his support of
many social issues and causes, saying it was an easy choice. “A lot of times people don't want to hear
it. But you know, if some good is done
to you, you should pass it on.”
YouTube is filled with Waylon
Jennings songs. A couple I've always enjoyed,
both for their tunes and the terrific lyrics are “Luckenback, Texas,” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n-qj-CnGZd4 and “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To
Be Cowboys,” here sung as a duet with old pal Willie Nelson, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkYmvKnZHtE Enjoy!
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