Waylon Tales Of My Outlaw Dad: A Riveting Account of Life on the Road

The road was his stage, and the world was his audience. Waylon Tales, the iconic outlaw country musician, lived a life of rebellion, passion, and unmatched talent. And as the daughter of this extraordinary man, I often found myself caught in the whirlwind of his outlaw lifestyle. In this riveting account, I take you on a journey through the highs and lows, the triumphs and tribulations, and the untold tales of my outlaw dad.

Before I dive deep into the tales, let me transport you back to the 1970s, the golden age of country music. In a time when the industry was dominated by polished rhinestone cowboys, Waylon Jennings emerged as a rebel, challenging the norms and paving the way for a new era of unapologetic authenticity. With his gritty voice, soulful lyrics, and signature braids, Waylon became an icon, and the outlaw country movement was born.

As a child growing up in the shadow of my larger-than-life father, I witnessed firsthand the impact music had on his soul. The highway was his home, and the sound of an audience's applause was his fuel. In our small tour bus, I became both a witness and a participant in the journey of a man who refused to conform.

Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad

by Stephen Birmingham (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3035 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	265 pages

FREE

One of the most vivid memories I have of my father is the day he decided to write his autobiography, "Waylon Tales of My Outlaw Dad." For months, he secluded himself in his music studio, pouring his heart and soul into recounting his life's adventures. I would often find him surrounded by dog-eared journals, vintage photographs, and piles of handwritten lyrics. The book became his legacy, a way to share his stories with the world.

But Waylon Tales isn't just a collection of anecdotes about life on the road. It delves deep into the struggles my father faced as he battled addiction, his complex relationship with fame, and the toll it took on our family. It's an unfiltered account, painted with raw honesty and vulnerability.

One of the most remarkable aspects of Waylon's journey was his unwavering commitment to his craft. Despite the temptations that came with fame, he never compromised on his artistic vision. He fought tooth and nail to preserve his autonomy, even when record labels tried to mold him into something he never wanted to be. And that dedication, that unwavering loyalty to his roots, is what made him a legend. For Waylon, it was always about the music.

Throughout his career, Waylon collaborated with countless musical greats, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. From his close friendship with Willie Nelson to his legendary duets with Jessi Colter, his artistry knew no bounds. But it wasn't just his collaborations that set him apart; it was the honesty and vulnerability he brought to every song, every performance.

But fame often exacts a heavy toll, and Waylon was no exception. The road was a merciless mistress, taking a toll on his physical and mental health. It is in these darker moments that I am forced to confront the flaws and vulnerabilities of my outlaw dad, and it humanizes the larger-than-life figure he was to the world. For the first time, I see my father not as a legend, but as a man bearing the weight of his own demons.

Yet, even in the face of adversity, Waylon Tales is a testament to resilience and redemption. It is a story of a man who found solace in his music, who poured his pain into each note, finding a way to navigate the treacherous waters of fame and come out stronger on the other side.

As I close the pages of "Waylon Tales of My Outlaw Dad," I am left with a sense of pride and gratitude. My father may have been flawed, but his life's journey and his contributions to music will forever serve as an inspiration to those who dare to follow their own path. Waylon's legacy lives on, not just in his music, but in the hearts of those who were lucky enough to witness the outlaw spirit firsthand.

So strap yourself in, dear reader, for an unforgettable ride through the life and legacy of Waylon Jennings. Experience the exhilaration, the heartache, and the unapologetic audacity of the outlaw country movement. This is no ordinary memoir; this is a true testament to the power of music, family, and the unbreakable bond between a father and his daughter.

Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad

by Stephen Birmingham (Kindle Edition)

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	3035 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	265 pages

FREE

"This book is a terrific tribute, from a son to his father."---Willie Nelson

"I'm so excited about Terry's new book."---Dolly Parton

From the Foreword by Ken Mansfield

"There are many stories about Waylon . . . the family man, the creative genius man, the quiet man, the king-of-the-six-day-roar-man, the uncommon man, the legendary man, the bad-ass man . . . they are all in this book."

In a signed copy of his autobiography, Texas-born country "Outlaw" icon Waylon Jennings penned a personal note to his son Terry: "I did my best. Now it's your turn." Two decades later, Terry Jennings finally completes the true story of his father's remarkable, unvarnished life with Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad.

Born when Waylon was only nineteen, Terry came of age just as Waylon's career hit the stratosphere with hits like "I've Always Been Crazy" and "Good Hearted Woman," one of his famous Willie Nelson duets. Terry dropped out of high school and joined his dad on tour, and the two became more like brothers than father and son. On the road, they toured with legends like Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Jessi Colter, Waylon's fourth and final wife. Together father and son led a hard-partying lifestyle centered around music, women, and drugs.

Waylon's success--critical acclaim, bestselling albums, sold-out tours, and even TV stardom on The Dukes of Hazzard--was at times eclipsed by his demons, three divorces, crippling debt, and a depression that Terry traces to the premature death of Buddy Holly. (Waylon was supposed to be on Holly and Ritchie Valens's doomed flight.) Through it all, Terry worked on the touring crew, helped manage Waylon's career, and became one of his father's closest confidantes. Debunking myths and sharing incredible never-before-told stories, this book is a son's loving and strikingly honest portrait of his father, "the greatest Outlaw country musician to grace this earth" and an unlikely but devoted family man. Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad will resonate for generations of fans.