Waylon Arnold Jennings was born on 15 June 1937, in Littlefield, Texas USA, to Lorene Beatrice and William Albert Jennings. He was a singer, songwriter, musician and actor, best known for popularizing a new style of music known as outlaw country. Jennings passed away in 2002.
So just how rich was Waylon Jennings? Sources state that Jennings had acquired a net worth of over $7 million, as of mid-2016, which was earned during his music career spanning more than 40 years.
Waylon Jennings Net Worth $7 Million
Jennings learned to play guitar at an early age, and began performing in local clubs. At the age of 12 he formed the band The Texas Longhorns, and two years later started working as a DJ at the radio station KVOW. In 1954 he dropped out of school and moved to Lubbock, taking a job as a DJ at the radio station KLLL. It was here that he met the singer Buddy Holly, who produced Jennings’ first single “Jole Blon”, released in 1958. Soon afterwards, Holly hired him to play bass in his band The Crickets. The following year Jennings gave up his seat on the infamous flight that crashed, killing Holly, singers The Big Bopper and Ritchie Valens, and the pilot. The day of the flight later became known as the Day the Music Died.
During the ’60s Jennings moved to Phoenix, Arizona and formed a band named the Waylors, releasing several singles through Trend Records label. He then signed with A&M Records and moved to Los Angeles, California, recording only one album with the label, containing the hit singles “Four Strong Winds” and “Just To Satisfy You”. The singer later moved to Nashville and signed with RCA Victor, releasing the popular song “That’s the Chance I’ll Have to Take”. His net worth started to rise.
Several successful albums followed, among them the hit singles “The Chokin’ Kind”, “Stop the World (And Let Me Off)”, “Walk On Out of My Mind” and “Only Daddy That’ll Walk the Line”, all adding to his wealth.
In 1969 Jennings won his first Grammy Award for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “MacArthur Park,” which was recorded with the Kimberlys. Jennings’ 70s albums “Good Hearted Woman” and “Ladies Love Outlaws” marked his transition to Outlaw Country, a subgenre that was arising at the time. Upon moving to Austin, Texas, the singer released albums “Lonesome, On’ry and Mean” and “Honky Tonk Heroes”, again under RCA Victor, but now under his own creative control. He went on to release several successful albums during the ’70s, among them the gold albums “Dreaming My Dreams” and “Are You Ready for the Country”, and the platinum “Wanted! The Outlaws”. His collaboration with Willie Nelson brought two hit singles, “Luckenbach, Texas” and “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys,” the latter winning Jennings his second Grammy Award. His wealth boosted.
During this time, Jennings struggled with drug addiction. After deciding to quit it in 1984 he, Nelson, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson formed a group called The Highwaymen, releasing three albums by 1995. He went on with his solo career as well, signing with Music Corporation in America and releasing the album “Will the Wolf Survive” in 1985.
In 1990 Jennings signed with Epic Records and released his album “The Eagle”, however, from that point his career started to decline, but he still perform live at many events during the 90s. He later signed with Justice Records, releasing three albums in the following three years. In 1997 he formed Waylon & The Waymore Blues Band, which primarily consisted of former Waylors, and performed live with the group until 2001. In the meantime, Jennings released his final album, the 2000 “Never Say Die: Live”. In 2001 he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Aside from his music career, Jennings was also involved in the film and television industry. In 1979 he served as the narrator for the country comedy series “The Dukes of Hazzard”, and the song “Good Ol’ Boys” which he wrote for the show became one of the biggest hits of his career. In 1985 he made a cameo appearance in the children’s film “Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird”.
In his private life, Jennings was married four times, firstly to Maxine Lawrence(1956-61), with whom he had four children. He then married Lynne Jones(1962-67) with whom he adopted a child. Jennings third marriage was with Barbara Rood(1968-69). His fourth wife was Jessi Colter(1969), with whom he had one child and with whom he remained until his death in 2002. Jennings had suffered from diabetes for years. In 2001 his health worsened, and his foot was amputated. He died of diabetic complications the following year.
February 13, 2002, Chandler, Arizona, United States
Place Of Birth
Littlefield, Texas, United States
Height
1.84 m
Profession
Singer, songwriter, musician, actor
Nationality
American
Spouse
Maxine Lawrence (1955-1962), Lynne Jones(1962–1967), Barbara Elizabeth Rood (1967-1968), Jessi Colter (1969–2002, his death)
Children
Shooter Jennings, Buddy Dean Jennings, Deana Jennings, Tomi Lynne, Terry Vance Jennings, Julie Rae Jennings, Good Hearted Woman, Luckenbach, Texas, Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
Parents
Lorene Beatrice, William Albert Jennings
Siblings
Tommy Jennings, James Jennings, Good Hearted Woman, Luckenbach, Texas, Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys
Grammy Awards, Country Music Association awards, Academy of Country Music awards, CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music (2003), Country Music Hall of Fame (2001), Hollywood's Rock Wall in Hollywood, California (2006), Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award by the Academy of Country Music (2007, posthummously ...
Record Labels
RCA Victor, MCA, Epic, Trend Records, A&M Records, Justice Records
Albums
Waylon & Willie (1978), Wanted! The Outlaws (1976), Heroes (1986), White Mansions (1978), Greatest Hits (1979), Ol' Waylon (1977), "Lonesome, On'ry and Mean", "Honky Tonk Heroes"
Music Groups
The Texas Longhorns, The Crickets, Waylors, The Highwaymen, Waylon & The Waymore Blues
Nominations
Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Group of the Year, Acad...
Movies
"The Dukes of Hazzard", "Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird"
TV Shows
The Dukes of Hazzard, Saddle Rash
#
Quote
1
[1984, in an interview in the CMA's "Close Up" magazine] I did more drugs than anybody you ever saw in your life.
2
Some people have their music. My music has me.
3
There's always one more way to do something - your way.
4
[about his "outlaw" image] It was a good marketing tool. In a way, I am that way. You start messing with my music, I get mean. As long as you are honest and up front with me, I will be the same with you. But I still do things my way.
5
[his last comment to friend Buddy Holly] Hope your darn ole plane crashes.
#
Fact
1
Smoked six packs of cigarettes a day until undergoing triple heart bypass surgery in December 1988.
2
Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1995 and the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
3
His former home in Brentwood, Tennessee, is named "Southern Comfort".
He was usually regarded as the unifying, central force of "The Highwaymen", as he brought together Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson, all of whom he had been friends with since the 1960s.
6
He claimed that his guitarist Jimmy Byrd was the only other man who could perform his trademark "Chicken Picking" style of guitar playing and often called him "Abe Lincoln" due to his resemblance to former president Abraham Lincoln.
7
Stevie Nicks wrote her 1981 hit "Leather & Lace" at Jennings' request, as a song for he and wife Jessi Colter. It was his intent that they would record the song at a future time. However, by the time Nicks finished penning the song, Waylon and Jessi had split. Nicks recorded it with Don Henley (of Eagles). The Nicks/Henley version was included on her 1981 LP "Bella Donna" and went to #6 on the US charts. Waylon and Jessi never made a studio recording of the song.
8
Jokingly told his friend Buddy Holly that he hoped his plane crashed, after he gave up his own seat, but was said to be extremely remorseful of the light-hearted comment and for years felt somehow responsible for his friend's death.
9
Worked as a disc jockey at a Lubbock, Texas radio station.
10
Son (with Jessi Colter) Shooter Jennings (b. Waylon Albright Jennings, 1979) sings with the Los Angeles band Stargunn.
11
He often refused to attend music awards shows on the grounds that performers should not compete against each other. Despite those sentiments, he won two Grammy Awards and four Country Music Association Awards. He did not attend his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
12
When he was told by doctors to quit touring, he auctioned off much of his equipment. Less than a year later, though, he was back playing concerts.
13
Survived by Jessi Colter, his fourth wife, and seven children.
14
He sold more than 40 million albums and singles worldwide, including 16 #1 country hits.
15
Won a Grammy Award for a version of "MacArthur Park" recorded with The Kimberleys.
16
Named Male Vocalist of the Year by the Country Music Association in 1975.
17
His other hit singles included "I'm a Ramblin' Man", "Amanda", "Lucille", "I've Always Been Crazy" and "Rose in Paradise".
18
His "Greatest Hits" album in 1979 sold four million copies--a rare accomplishment in country music for that era.
19
"I'd like to be remembered for my music-- not necessarily by what people see when they see us-- but what they feel when they talk about you," he said in 1984.
Had have his left foot amputated due to diabetes in December 2001.
23
High school dropout who got his General Educational Development (GED) in 1989.
24
Ended a 20-year cocaine addiction in 1984. At times, he was spending $1500 a day on the drug.
25
Was supposed to be on the flight that killed Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper. The Big Bopper was sick and wanted to fly rather than ride the tour bus, so Jennings gave him his seat on the plane.
26
He was married and divorced three times before marrying Jessi Colter.
27
Was briefly a member of Buddy Holly's band as the bass player.
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Splu Urtaf Show
1993
TV Series composer: theme music
The Dukes of Hazzard
TV Series title song by - 145 episodes, 1979 - 1985 composer - 37 episodes, 1979 - 1980
Mackintosh and T.J.
1975
musician: guitar / musician: vocals
Moonrunners
1975
musical director
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Saddle Rash
2002
TV Movie voice
18 Wheels of Justice
2000
TV Series
John Murdocca
Tom Sawyer
2000
Video
Judge Thatcher (voice)
The Dukes of Hazzard: Racing for Home
1999
Video Game
The Balladeer (voice)
The Angry Beavers
1999
TV Series
Balladeer
The Long Kill
1999
TV Movie
Tobey Naylor
Maverick
1994
Man with Concealed Guns
Married with Children
1994
TV Series
Ironhead Haynes
Roger Miller: King of the Road
1994
Video
Narrator
Stagecoach
1986
TV Movie
Hatfield (Gambler)
The All American Cowboy
1985
TV Movie
Follow That Bird
1985
Truck Driver
The Dukes of Hazzard
1979-1985
TV Series
The Balladeer The Balladeer (voice) Himself
The Oklahoma City Dolls
1981
TV Movie
Wayne Doak
Moonrunners
1975
The Balladeer
Nashville Rebel
1966
Arlin Grove
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Halt and Catch Fire
2015
TV Series performer - 1 episode
A Country Called Home
2015
performer: "Rainy Day Woman" / writer: "Rainy Day Woman"
TV Special documentary performer: "One Good Love", "Kentucky Woman"
Maverick
1994
performer: "You Don't Mess Around With Me", "Amazing Grace" / writer: "You Don't Mess Around With Me"
Harley Davidson and the Marlboro Man
1991
performer: "Hardline"
White Palace
1990
writer: "Good Hearted Woman"
Texasville
1990
performer: "Luckenbach, Texas Back To The Basics Of Love" / writer: "Good Hearted Woman"
Betrayed
1988
performer: "The Devil's Right Hand"
Dolly
1988
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Hamburger Hill
1987
performer: "Ruby, Don't Take Your Love To Town"
Uphill All the Way
1986
performer: "Never Thought I'd Ever Be an Outlaw"
Fool for Love
1985
performer: "Honky Tonk Heroes", "Black Rose"
UFOria
1985
writer: "I've Always Been Crazy", "Good Hearted Woman"
Webster
1985
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Follow That Bird
1985
performer: "Ain't No Road Too Long"
We Are The World: The Story Behind The Song
1985
TV Movie documentary "We Are the World", uncredited
Raamit ränniin
1985
TV Movie performer: "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up To Be Cowboys", "Help Me Make It Through the Night"
The Dukes of Hazzard
1984
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Moscow on the Hudson
1984
performer: "PEOPLE UP IN TEXAS" / writer: "PEOPLE UP IN TEXAS"
Hells Angels Forever
1983
Documentary writer: "I Can Get Off on You"
China Lake
1983
Short "I've Always Been Crazy" / performer: "I've Always Been Crazy"
The Executioner's Song
1982
TV Movie performer: "Talk Good Boogie", "Get It On Again", "So Good Woman", "This Time" / writer: "Talk Good Boogie", "Get It On Again", "So Good Woman", "This Time"
The Pursuit of D.B. Cooper
1981
performer: "Shine", "You Were Never There" / writer: "Shine"