Waylon Jennings Impact On Country Music

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Most americans have probably heard the phrase, “Mamas don’t let your babies to grow up to be cowboys.” That phrase is one from one of Waylon Jennings most prominent songs. Jennings was one of the many country music stars that started the outlaw country music movement. Outlaw country was not recognized by most country music enthusiasts but it soon took over and swept them off their feet. Jennings also incorporated rock into his music, which opened the door to a wide variety of genres and listeners. Waylon Jennings left an everlasting impression on country music which earned him a name as one of the greatest country music stars. Traveling back in time to when only music only listened to on the radio, Waylon Arnold Jennings was born. Jennings …show more content…

He was signed by A&M, but that soon fell out due to insufficient sales. He signed under RCA by Chet Atkins, along with Willie Nelson, where Jennings produced multiple successful albums. (Dansby). Jennings with the Kimberleys, won his first grammy in 1969 for Best Country Performance by group. In 1974, Jennings had two songs reach number one on the country music charts; this was Jennings turning point. In 1975, Waylon reached the top of the pop charts. Reaching the top of pop charts for a country singer back then was unheard of. Around the same time Jennings was honored as Country Music Association as Male Vocalist of the year. Jennings soon teamed up with his old friend Willie Nelson. Together, they produced Waylon and Willie in 1978 (Biography). One of their many duets “Mamas don’t let your babies grow up to be cowboys,” earned Jennings his second grammy. Jennings being able to appeal to a wide variety of listeners, proved him to be one of country music …show more content…

In the early 70s multiple DEA agents came knocking at Waylon’s offices. They were waiting for a search warrant to look for a drug shipment from New York (Dansby). They arrested Jennings for conspiring to possess with intent to distribute cocaine; the case was dropped was dropped within 6 weeks. His cocaine addiction did not get any better. Jennings would stumble across stage and he wouldn’t be able to finish a performance. He finally realized that he needed to do something about his addiction. He moved back to Arizona with his wife Jessi Colter. Jennings completely quit the drug one day in 1984 and never went back. Almost a year later after Jennings recovery, Johnny Cash gathered Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon Jennings together and formed a band. This wasn’t a typical band: it had 4 of the greatest legends as members. They had many hits including “Highwayman,” but the song that proved themselves was “Desperados Waiting on a train,” (Dansby). They split up for a couple years, but reconvened and re-formed the Highwaymen once again. The Highwayman only came out with two albums, Highwaymen and Highwaymen II, but the second one wasn’t as successful as the first

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