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Ecclectic producer, singer, songwriter Shooter Jennings has built a career highlighted by music as diverse as his devoted fan base, and his seventh studio LP Countach (for Giorgio) is no different. The new album, comprised of songs composed or inspired by production pioneer Giorgio Moroder, will be released on vinyl February 26, 2016 and on CD March 11.
Shooter Jennings
Nashville’s Silver Dollar Saloon (110 Second Avenue North, Nashville) will host a very special celebration on Wednesday, September 11. Though an unlikely paring, some of Nashville’s greatest “Outlaws” will come together in honor of our military heroes and first responders with an evening of great music, specials for active military and veterans and public servants (police, firefighters, etc.), and lots of surprises. Continue Reading →
Shooter Jennings will release his new album, The Other Life, on March 12 (Black Country Rock/Entertainment One Nashville). Jennings recently released the second single from the album, “Wild & Lonesome,” featuring Patti Griffin. The new album also features Scott H. Biram and Black Oak Arkansas bandleader Jim “Dandy” Mangrum.
Jennings also created a film to accompany the album, which will be screened at various venues. In the film, The Other Life, Shooter says goodbye to his family and hits the road, where he is haunted by a mysterious woman who is more than she seems. He soon finds himself on a supernatural journey forcing him to face a darkness that has followed him and a destiny he cannot deny. View the trailer here.
Photo credit: Laralyn Drew
It has been almost 10 years since Waylon Jennings left us, but his music is still as influential as ever. On Tuesday, December 6, SiriusXM presented a special taping honoring Waylon Jennings and promoting the new album ‘Waylon: The Music Inside Vol. II’. The event at the SiriusXM Theater in the Bridgestone Arena featured several acts including Josh Thompson, Jamey Johnson, Waylon’s widow Jessi Colter, and son Shooter Jennings. Also in the house – and rowdy as ever – was Waylon’s old friend Hank Williams Jr. For the taping, each took turns playing Waylon favorites, sharing cherished memories of the late outlaw, and recapturing the magic of the tribute albums.
“At first, I didn’t want anyone to sing these songs but [Waylon],” said Colter about the tribute albums. “But these people love these songs… I couldn’t be prouder.”
The show had the element of a songwriter’s round, only with intermittent anecdotes about the country legend. For the softer, heart-felt numbers some artists on stage closed their eyes and sang along, embracing the powerful lyrics imparted by Jennings. On the faster, hell-raisin’ tunes, the entire studio audience began to clap and sing along, with Johnson frequently providing impromptu lead guitar licks.
Also present at the event were radio personality Carl P. Mayfield and legendary producer and songwriter Cowboy Jack Clement who both shared funny stories of Jennings. Mayfield recounted when Waylon stole his watch, wrapped it, and gave it back to him as a gift while on the air; and Clement reminisced about the time Waylon utilized dynamite to retaliate against a particularly difficult venue.
Josh Thompson and Jamey Johnson were two of the younger acts that had not known the music icon personally, yet have been strongly influenced by his music. Johnson references the man more than once, including in his song “Between Jennings and Jones”, while Thompson penned his own underground hit “Blame It On Waylon”.
Photo credit: Laralyn Drew
“[This] was very inspiring and nerve-racking,” said Thompson about being included with the others on Vol. II. “They played with the man… I wanted to make some changes [to the song], and I wasn’t sure what they would think, but they really embraced it.”
One such artist who “played with the man” was Bocephus himself. A longtime friend of Jennings, Williams Jr. had nothing but funny and fond memories to share, frequently comparing Jennings to his own father, Hank Williams Sr.
“It was daddy and him,” said Williams when asked about where Jennings ranks among the all-time greats. “That man was the hoss right there.”
Between the country music veterans, the new wave of outlaws, and the simple admirers, it was an event filled with great music and fond memories. Certainly, it was an outpouring of love for the late Jennings, but it was also a tribute to the music that has changed lives and transcended generations. If Vol. II is as powerful as Vol. I, country music fans young and old are in for a superbly put together treat.
