Country Music World
January 1979
Waylon Jennings might have passed into legend along with Buddy Holly had he not been “bumped” off the plane that carried Buddy, The Big Bopper, and other great talents to their deaths in 1959. The awesomeness of what might have happened to him never left Jennings. It’s still there — in his music — and often, in his attitudes towards life.
Although he has become one of the most successful country and western artists of our time, he is a man who remains very much a low-profile figure in a glittering, spotlight drenched world. Sometimes he comes out of those shadows; sometimes he joins another “non-conformist” artist, Willie Nelson, for a concert or on an LP — such as “The Outlaws” — (RCA) which also featured his wife, Jessi Colter. And when the two of them, Waylon and Willie, spin their magic, no one remains unaffected by the experience.
Most recently RCA released an album called “Waylon and Willie.” Jennings’ dark voice and Nelson’s unmistakable vocalizations caught the imagination of record buyers as few other discs ever had. But, once again, both men showed the un-conventional sides of their natures when they refused to follow up the release of the LP with a long series of personal appearances, something other artists would have given anything to do.
Waylon felt he wanted to step back into his private world to think through the next step in his life. Willie, who as a very active partner in the LP and the success it generated, respected his Friend’s decision. “We all have our own space,” he said. “I would never invade his. He would never invade mine.”
Several months ago Willie Nelson went to the White House to entertain at a concert for President and Mrs. Carter and their guests. During an intermission Jimmy Carter told Willie of his plans to bring the leaders of Israel and Egypt together with the aim of setting up a peace conference. Willie, who had done his share of singing protest songs during the Viet Nam war dedicated his songs to that sacred goal; peace in the mideast. After the concert, Willie received a standing ovation which he accepted with genuine good humor. However he was later heard telling a friend — “It was a great experience, but I wish Waylon were here to share it with me.” Maybe next time, Willie. Maybe…
