BOOK REVIEW by Allen Larson
Terry Jennings spoke to the Dallas Songwriters Association a year ago. He entertained us with stories about his life and times with his father, renowned "Outlaw" country singer Waylon Jennings, and then answered questions about his life and book, "Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad"'.
In his book, Terry talks about growing up, how he dropped out of high school and joined his dad on the tour as a roadie, and his life later on after Waylon's playing days wound down.
Terry was Waylon's oldest son, by his first wife, born when Waylon was 19. Waylon was married three times. His third wife Jessi Colter is the mother of recording artist Shooter Jennings, the youngest of Terry's half dozen or so siblings and half-siblings.
Waylon's roots begin in West Texas and the Southwest, where he had great success as a radio DJ, and at the same time, was a popular performer at area clubs. He was a friend of Buddy Holly, who insisted he join him on bass on that fateful tour. Waylon was haunted by his last conversation with Buddy and refused to speak about it for a long time.
He returned home after that tour, resumed his own act, and soon his following in the clubs grew and grew, leading to record deals and bigger tours. As Waylon's career blossomed and wives were divorced, Terry bounced around living in different cities and homes with different family members (he was in Irving with his mother for a time). He dropped out of high school and joined Waylon as a roadie on tour. His principle duty was drum tech, but became a valuable member of the crew in many other ways.
He and Waylon were more like brothers than father-son. Terry freely writes of Waylon's vices with drugs and women. He often supplied Terry and the band with drugs. Waylon was a meth addict, and later got on cocaine. Waylon had women in every city staying in extra hotel rooms he provided. (It seems safe to say the lyrics of "Good Hearted Women" express appreciation of how Jessi put up with him.)
I asked Terry, when he spoke to us, a random question, if the band ever toured Europe, and he said no, that Waylon feared going and not having a supply of drugs. The book does say later on after he cleaned up in 1984, that the Highwaymen did go overseas. Eventually Waylon retired, then un-retired and returned to performing. He had health issues, and he lost a foot to diabetes. He died in 2001.
For the most part Terry worked for Waylon, but there were periods where he'd just quit, maybe after a dispute with someone, and took other jobs outside music, only to eventually return. He married twice. He was not performer himself, but after Waylon retired, had his hand in setting up various artist promotional enterprises, to varying degrees of success.
Sadly, Terry Jennings passed away this past January at age 62. In the book he speaks of his own serious health battles starting a decade ago, and apparently he long outlived the original prognosis.
This is very entertaining book. Many memories here-- and as Waylon would say, all but "A Long Time Forgotten"!
(Thanks to Harry Hewlett who gave me a copy of the book!)
In his book, Terry talks about growing up, how he dropped out of high school and joined his dad on the tour as a roadie, and his life later on after Waylon's playing days wound down.
Terry was Waylon's oldest son, by his first wife, born when Waylon was 19. Waylon was married three times. His third wife Jessi Colter is the mother of recording artist Shooter Jennings, the youngest of Terry's half dozen or so siblings and half-siblings.
Waylon's roots begin in West Texas and the Southwest, where he had great success as a radio DJ, and at the same time, was a popular performer at area clubs. He was a friend of Buddy Holly, who insisted he join him on bass on that fateful tour. Waylon was haunted by his last conversation with Buddy and refused to speak about it for a long time.
He returned home after that tour, resumed his own act, and soon his following in the clubs grew and grew, leading to record deals and bigger tours. As Waylon's career blossomed and wives were divorced, Terry bounced around living in different cities and homes with different family members (he was in Irving with his mother for a time). He dropped out of high school and joined Waylon as a roadie on tour. His principle duty was drum tech, but became a valuable member of the crew in many other ways.
He and Waylon were more like brothers than father-son. Terry freely writes of Waylon's vices with drugs and women. He often supplied Terry and the band with drugs. Waylon was a meth addict, and later got on cocaine. Waylon had women in every city staying in extra hotel rooms he provided. (It seems safe to say the lyrics of "Good Hearted Women" express appreciation of how Jessi put up with him.)
I asked Terry, when he spoke to us, a random question, if the band ever toured Europe, and he said no, that Waylon feared going and not having a supply of drugs. The book does say later on after he cleaned up in 1984, that the Highwaymen did go overseas. Eventually Waylon retired, then un-retired and returned to performing. He had health issues, and he lost a foot to diabetes. He died in 2001.
For the most part Terry worked for Waylon, but there were periods where he'd just quit, maybe after a dispute with someone, and took other jobs outside music, only to eventually return. He married twice. He was not performer himself, but after Waylon retired, had his hand in setting up various artist promotional enterprises, to varying degrees of success.
Sadly, Terry Jennings passed away this past January at age 62. In the book he speaks of his own serious health battles starting a decade ago, and apparently he long outlived the original prognosis.
This is very entertaining book. Many memories here-- and as Waylon would say, all but "A Long Time Forgotten"!
(Thanks to Harry Hewlett who gave me a copy of the book!)
