"There's always one more way to do things and that's your way, and you have a right to try it at least once."
We've written a good deal about Waylon Jennings in these pages over the years. I'm nothing short of a massive fan of the man and his music.
Not only was Waylon about the coolest cat in the history of country music — or American history — his life was about perseverance and overcoming the odds that were stacked firmly against him.
His family were dirt farmers in west Texas, but as a kid, Waylon became one of the youngest disc jockeys in America and started picking the guitar and singing early on as well.
Eventually he became friends with a fellow Lubbock-area rocker, Buddy Holly, and became his bassist. Waylon was on the trip when Holly died. It took him about a decade to emerge in the public eye after that fateful tour.
Once he got back on the scene, though, there was no stopping him. He was a star in his own right and collaborated with the best of the best in the music industry. Waylon was the iconic "Balladeer" from the Dukes of Hazzard and even drove a hitchhiking Big Bird in a cameo appearance in Follow that Bird.
"Ol' Hoss" battled personal demons for a long time, but came out on the good side.
Waylon tried a lot of ways of doing things musically over the years. His way. Most of the time he succeeded.
Sadly, we lost him in 2002, but the great Waylon Jennings would have turned 87 today.
As always,
Brian
P.S. — Father's Day is Sunday and I want to give a quick shout out to my friend, "the Hendu Hammer," who is the "father" of the modern day fanny pack movement. He has a fanny for every situation.
The Hammer is known (professionally, sometimes) as "Mr. Fanny" and is also a huge Waylon fan like me.
It might be too late to get your dad a little something, but it is still "grad" season. Get that son, grandson, nephew, or family friend a nice leather fanny pack and it will make the Hammer an honorary "father," once again, each time a fanny pack is worn in public.
Very niche.
Like the Hammer, Waylon had a specific fatherly niche, as well. He is considered the father of Outlaw Country.
Well, our friends at Add Style have the best leather fanny packs in the business and offer free personalization — emboss your leather fanny packs at no charge.
As Waylon said, you have the right to try it at least once…
For more on the Fanny Pack Revolution:
