I hate to sound like one of those individuals who are always talking about “Back in my day” and how back then things were better, but in some cases it is simply the truth. There are a lot of great performers in today’s country music, but they all lack the edge of performers of old and in some cases, their version of country – the new country music – seems to be treading awfully close to that of ‘pop’ music. Now, that’s not that it can’t be appreciated and enjoyed, but to truly appreciate country music in all its glory, I defy you to do so without going back and exploring the music of Hank Williams, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, and, of course, country music’s pioneer Outlaw – Waylon Jennings.
The late Waylon Jennings has penned his autobiography, and I plan on reading it, but I stumbled across Waylon – Tales of My Outlaw Dad by his son Terry Jennings first and quickly lost myself in this wonderful tribute by a son to his father. Terry, the product of his father’s first marriage, when he was still struggling to make it in the music business, was old enough during the height of his father’s fame and success to have hit the road with him, serving on the road crew.
Waylon – Tales of My Outlaw Dad, is a fun, fast read, but a wonderful novel for those looking for some unique insights into Waylon and his career. Terry addresses one of his father’s greatest regrets, words that haunted him his entire life, when he talks about Waylon’s relationship with fellow Texan Buddy Holly. Waylon was with Buddy on the doomed rock ‘n’ rollers last tour, a winter tour in the Midwest in a bus with a heater that had given out. To escape this horror, and to get a good night’s sleep in a warm bed, Buddy hired a small plane to take him and two others to the next town after playing a show in Clear Lake, Iowa. Waylon was offered a place on that plane and turned it down, whereupon Buddy was to have said to him, something like, “Well, I hope you freeze to death on that bus.” Waylon’s response, the last things he said to his friend, was something along the lines of, “Yeah, well I hope your plane goes down.” Of course the next morning, Waylon discovered the plane did go down, killing the pilot, Buddy Holly, The Big Bopper ( J.P. Richardson) and Ritchie Valens, and making Waylon regret his comment to Buddy for the rest of his life – something that haunted him, but he didn’t talk about, until he eventually addressed it with his son, Terry.
Within the pages of Waylon – Tales of My Outlaw Dad, Terry explores the unique father-son relationship they shared. To put it plainly, Waylon wasn’t your conventional Dad, but had his own way that seemed to work, seemed to fail, and seemed to work again – you know, real life. Terry gives us insights into what it was like touring with his Dad, and we discover, like a few hotels did, that country acts and their road crews can party just as hard as rock ‘n’ roll bands and their road crews; we are given insights into Waylon’s relationship with such country stars as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., and his last wife, country music singer Jessi Colter.
This look at his father’s life is a series of remembrances that never fail to intrigue and entertain. Terry seems to tell it all, warts and all, and despite that, one can’t help walking away from this book with a new appreciation for Waylon Jennings. Of course, the extra benefit of reading a book like this is the fact it encourages you to root through your record collection, pull out those old Waylon albums and put them on the turntable (if you haven’t got any, seek them out). The music is as great as ever, and its only in listening to it that one can fully appreciate the loss of such country greats as Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, Jerry Reed and, of course, Waylon Jennings.
Having lost my Father as well, I can appreciate Terry’s desire to write a book paying tribute to his father, his father’s life, and their relationship with one another. I hit the jackpot where father’s were concerned, and although my Dad wasn’t famous, and a book about him wouldn’t attract the same kind of attention, I can appreciate Terry’s motivation and compliment him on doing such a fine job in writing this one. Waylon – Tales of My Outlaw Dad is a MUST read for anyone interested in popular music, and reading about one artist whose legacy and music should never be forgotten.