Waylon Jennings

Waylon Jennings

music artist, music department, actor

Waylon Jennings was born on Jun 15, 1937 in USA. Waylon Jennings's big-screen debut came with Nashville Rebel directed by Jay Sheridan in 1966. Waylon Jennings is known for Saddle Rash directed by Loren Bouchard, H. Jon Benjamin stars as Gummy and Sarah Silverman as Hanna Headstrong. Waylon Jennings has got 6 awards and 27 nominations so far. The most recent award Waylon Jennings achieved is Academy of Country Music Awards. The upcoming new movie Waylon Jennings plays is Saddle Rash which will be released on Mar 24, 2002.

Jennings, a singer, songwriter and guitarist, recorded 60 albums and had 16 No. 1 country singles in a career that spanned five decades. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in October 2001. With pal Willie Nelson, Jennings performed duets like "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys", "Luckenbach" and "Good Hearted Woman". Those 1970s songs nurtured a progressive sound and restless spirit embraced later by Travis Tritt, Charlie Daniels, Steve Earle and others. His resonant, authoritative voice also was used to narrate the popular TV show Shérif, fais-moi peur! (1979). He sang its theme song, which was a million seller. "I aimed the narration at children and it made it work," he said in a 1987 AP interview. He traditionally wore a black cowboy hat and ebony attire that accented his black beard and mustache. Often reclusive when not on stage, he played earthy music with a spirited, hard edge. Combined, Jennings had a well-defined image that matched well with his history of battling record producers to do music his way. About his independence, he said: "There's always one more way to do something-- your way." Some of his album titles nourished his brash persona: "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean," "I've Always Been Crazy," "Nashville Rebel," "Ladies Love Outlaws" and "Wanted: The Outlaws." He often refused to attend music awards shows on grounds performers should not compete against each other. Despite those sentiments, Jennings won two Grammy awards and four Country Music Association awards. He did not attend his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame last year. In 1959, his career was nearly cut short by tragedy. He was scheduled to fly on the light plane that crashed and killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. Jennings gave up his seat on the plane to The Big Bopper, who was ill and wanted to fly rather than travel by bus with those left behind. He and Holly were teen-age friends in Lubbock, Texas, and Jennings was in Holly's band. "Mainly what I learned from Buddy was an attitude," Jennings said. "He loved music, and he taught me that it shouldn't have any barriers to it." Born in Littlefield, Texas, Jennings became a radio disc jockey at 14 and formed his own band not long afterward. By the early 1960s Jennings was playing regularly at a nightclub in Phoenix. In 1963, he was signed by 'Herb Alpert''s A&M Records, then was signed by RCA in Nashville shortly thereafter by Chet Atkins. Once in Nashville, he and Cash became friends and roommates. His hit records began in the mid-1960s and his heyday was the mid-1970s. About his outlaw image, he said: "It was a good marketing tool. In a way, I am that way. You start messing with my music, I get mean. As long was you are honest and up front with me, I will be the same with you. But I still do things my way."

  • Birthday

    Jun 15, 1937
  • Place of Birth

    Littlefield, Texas, USA

Known For

Awards

6 wins & 27 nominations

Academy of Country Music Awards
2007
Winner - Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
1986
Single Record of the Year
Winner - ACM Award
1986
Country Music Video of the Year
Winner - ACM Award
The Highwaymen: Highwayman (1986)
1986
Album of the Year
Winner - ACM Award
Country Music Hall Of Fame
2001
Hall Of Fame
Winner - Commemorative Medallion
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Movies & TV Shows

All
Movies
TV Shows