If you are a fan of country music, you might have heard of Whey Jennings, a rising star in the genre. But is he related to the legendary Waylon Jennings, one of the pioneers of the outlaw country movement? The answer is yes, Whey Jennings is the grandson of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, both successful country music artists in their own right. In this article, we will explore the family ties, musical influences, and career achievements of Whey Jennings and his famous grandparents.
Who is Whey Jennings?
Whey Jennings is a country singer and songwriter who was born in 1981 in Phoenix, Arizona. He is the oldest son of Terry Jennings, Waylon’s eldest son from his first marriage, and Katherine Lynn. Whey grew up surrounded by country music royalty, as his grandfather, grandmother, and uncle (Shooter Jennings) were all prominent figures in the industry.
Whey developed a passion for music at an early age, and he had his first taste of performing on stage when he was just a boy. According to his website, he picked up a microphone backstage at one of his grandfather’s shows and sang “Mamma’s Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys” with him. Waylon encouraged his grandson to pursue his musical dreams and gave him advice and guidance along the way.
Whey has been performing professionally since 2007, when he formed a band called The Waylors with some of Waylon’s former band members. He has also toured with other country artists such as Billy Joe Shaver, David Allan Coe, Ray Wylie Hubbard, and Hank Williams III. He released his debut album, “Gypsy Soul”, in 2020, which features original songs as well as covers of some of his grandfather’s classics.
Whey describes himself as a “rough around the edges, unpolished singer” with a voice as big as Texas. He says he couldn’t go pop with a mouth full of crackers, and he stays true to his roots and influences. He cites Waylon, Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson as some of his musical heroes.
Who is Waylon Jennings?
Waylon Jennings was a legendary singer, songwriter, and country musician who was born in 1937 in Littlefield, Texas. He started his career as a disc jockey and a bass player for Buddy Holly, but he soon became a solo artist and a leader of the outlaw country movement in the 1970s. He rebelled against the Nashville sound and the mainstream country music industry, and he created his own style of music that was raw, honest, and authentic.
Waylon had a long and successful career that spanned six decades and produced more than 60 albums and 150 singles. He had 16 number one hits on the Billboard country charts, including “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love)”, “Good Hearted Woman”, “I’ve Always Been Crazy”, and “Theme from The Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys)”. He also collaborated with other artists such as Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser, and many more.
Waylon was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001 and received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. He died in 2002 at the age of 64 from complications of diabetes.
Who is Jessi Colter?
Jessi Colter is a country singer and songwriter who was born in 1943 in Phoenix, Arizona. She is best known for her collaborations with Waylon Jennings, whom she married in 1969 and remained with until his death. She is also the mother of Shooter Jennings, another country musician.
Jessi started her career as a pop singer under the name Mirriam Johnson, but she switched to country music after meeting Waylon. She released her first studio album in 1970, and she signed with Capitol Records in 1975. She had her breakthrough hit with “I’m Not Lisa”, which reached number one on the Billboard country charts and number four on the pop charts. She also had success with songs such as “What’s Happened to Blue Eyes”, “Storms Never Last”, and “I Ain’t the One”.
Jessi was one of the few female artists who emerged from the outlaw country movement of the 1970s. She also participated in the first platinum country album, “Wanted! The Outlaws”, which featured Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and herself. She has released more than 10 albums throughout her career and has been nominated for several awards.
Jessi is still active in the music scene and has performed with her son Shooter and her grandson Whey on several occasions. She released her latest album, “The Psalms”, in 2017, which features her singing the biblical psalms to original melodies.
Conclusion
Whey Jennings is indeed related to Waylon Jennings, as he is his grandson and a proud heir of his musical legacy. Whey is also the grandson of Jessi Colter, another country music icon and Waylon’s wife. Whey has followed in their footsteps and has carved his own niche in the country music genre. He is a talented singer and songwriter who honors his family’s history and tradition while adding his own flair and personality to his songs.
If you are a fan of country music, you should definitely check out Whey Jennings’ music and see how he continues the legacy of his grandfather, Waylon Jennings. You can also watch him perform an emotional tribute to his grandfather with a rendition of “Hallelujah” on YouTube. You can also read an interview with him where he talks about his family, his music, and his life on The Hollywood Times.
