Texas Musician Top Ten: Waylon Jennings (#10)
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (65390)
United States
July 22, 2024 11:17am CST
Top Ten Time!!! It’s now time for my ten favorite Texas-born musicians. No surprises at all on the list, because I’m kind of boring and repetitive.
Also no surprise that most of these top ten are blatantly country. Sorry, Linda.
Let’s get started with a country great.
#10: Waylon Jennings
And, just like ZZ Top yesterday, Waylon sent me to a specific place in Texas on my winter road trip: Luckenbach! Yes, the defunct town (lost its post office in 1971) is a destination for music fans. (And if you’re expecting something lavish, most Walmarts have bigger parking lots than the “town” of Luckenbach.)
Waylon was born with the name Wayland, but his mother changed his birth certificate when she was told that Wayland was the name of a nearby Baptist church (and, being a Church of Christ member, she couldn’t stand that!). Jennings said initially he didn’t like the name (and his middle name was Arnold, so he was royally hosed with a name!
), but things turned out fine in the long run: you don’t need a last name with Waylon.
Most people know that Jennings was Buddy Holly’s bass player and gave his seat on the fateful plane to J.P. Richardson because J.P. had the flu. The loss of his friend helped steer Jennings toward a lot of drug and alcohol abuse. When he finally got clean later in his life, he actually looked younger than he did in the 70s.
Waylon had three top 40 pop hits: “Good Hearted Woman,” “Luckenbach Texas (Back to the Basics of Love),” and “Theme from The Dukes of Hazard (Good Ol’ Boys).” Not as prolific on the pop side as Willie (in fact, two of the three were with Willie), but that didn’t bother him.
Jennings suffered from diabetes, caused by his wild living. It eventually took his life in 2002. At least he lived long enough to see his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Waylon Jennings
Born Wayland Arnold Jennings
June 15, 1937, Littlefield
Died February 13, 2002, Chandler, Arizona (complications of diabetes) (age 64)
HALL OF FAME: Country Music
One of my favorite Waylon songs from the “early” days of his career, “Walk on Out of My Mind” (Linda? NO!!!!!!!!):
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11 people like this
10 responses
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
23 Jul
Well, I’d like to comment on your comment, but…nuff said! ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (77609)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
22 Jul
Another guy I am really fond up the one who made me want to go to Luckinbach Texas perhaps that should have been my goal instead of tropical Florida ![](/Content/images/emotes/rofl.gif)
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2 people like this
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
23 Jul
The most exciting thing I saw in Luckenbach was a cat sleeping on the koozies in the store. ![](/Content/images/emotes/rofl.gif)
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2 people like this
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
23 Jul
It’s not something that comes up in everyday conversation…”my, it’s hot weather, looks like it might storm, and did you know Waylon Jennings played bass for Buddy Holly?” ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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1 person likes this
@Deepizzaguy (99643)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
22 Jul
I remember Waylon Jennings from his song with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristoffersen called :Highwayman.
2 people like this
@Deepizzaguy (99643)
• Lake Charles, Louisiana
23 Jul
@FourWalls The Highwaymen were one of the best ever artists of all time.
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (170715)
• United States
23 Jul
I'll go back to a Sharp Dressed Man. Have a good day.
2 people like this
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
23 Jul
At least you can enjoy that or “Hot Fun in the Summertime” by Sly & the Family Stone. ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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2 people like this
@wolfgirl569 (102054)
• Marion, Ohio
22 Jul
Don't remember that one but know him and his music
2 people like this
@FourWalls (65390)
• United States
23 Jul
This was a 60s song, before the “outlaw” stuff.
2 people like this
@2ndchances24 (7489)
• Cloverdale, Indiana
23 Jul
I love all his music, but then again I love country music of all kinds
mainly the old time country of the 50's into the late 80's.
1 person likes this
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