Introduction to a Country Legend
In October, a new Waylon Jennings album, titled "Songbird", will be released, marking the first in a series of high-quality studio albums featuring previously unreleased material from the late country legend. The album’s announcement was made by Waylon’s son, Shooter Jennings, on Monday evening at an intimate gathering in the Viper Room. The timing of the announcement coincided with Waylon’s 88th birthday and Father’s Day, making it a special moment for Shooter to share the news.
A Celebration of Waylon’s Music
The evening’s festivities included a live performance by the surviving members of Waylon’s classic backing band, The Waylors, who took to the stage to play some of their old boss’s classics. They were joined by a number of young artists, including Charley Crockett, Ashley Monroe, Elizabeth Cook, Jaime Wyatt, and Shooter himself. The crowd was treated to a range of songs, from Crockett’s rendition of "All Around Cowboy" to Monroe’s emotive performance of one of Waylon’s big, lovelorn ballads, "Dreaming My Dreams".
The Waylors’ Performance
The Waylors, currently consisting of guitarist Gordon Payne, bass player Jerry Bridges, keyboardist Barny Robertson, and backing singer Carter Robertson, performed with passion and energy, bringing Waylon’s music to life. Their set included classics like "I Don’t Live Forever" and "Good Hearted Woman", which were sung by Elizabeth Cook and Jaime Wyatt, respectively.
The New Album: "Songbird"
The upcoming album, "Songbird", is set to be released on October 3 and features a range of previously unreleased material from Waylon’s peak period, between 1973 and 1984. The album includes a cover of Fleetwood Mac’s "Songbird", which was released on streaming services on Sunday. Waylon’s version of the song is a beautiful, soulful rendition that showcases his unique voice and style.
The Story Behind the Album
According to Shooter, the material for the album was discovered in a family storage room, where it had been stored for decades. The recordings were made by Waylon and his drummer/co-producer Richie Albright, with additional contributions from guests like pedal steel guitarist Ralph Mooney and singer-songwriter Tony Joe White. Shooter produced and mixed the project, using the original recordings as a starting point and adding new parts to enhance the sound.
Preserving Waylon’s Legacy
Shooter’s goal with the album is to preserve his father’s legacy and share his music with a new generation of fans. As he told the Tennessean, "What became very obvious to me was that my father constantly took the Waylors into the studio between tours with his band… As Waylon, who won the David and Goliath fight against RCA for creative control and artistic freedom, he was awarded the ability to take his music into his own studios, with his touring band, and without the supervision of labels and without external influence."
What’s Next
The release of "Songbird" is just the beginning of a new chapter in Waylon’s legacy. Shooter has announced that two more albums will follow in the coming years, featuring more previously unreleased material from his father’s archives. As he said, "This project has given me a completely new chapter in my relationship with my father and the work on this music has brought a completely new understanding of how, when, and why my father made music."
