From Cotton Fields to Country Stages A New Generation of "Outlaw Royalty"

Pick of the Week

Whey Jennings

Whey Jennings, grandson of country legends Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, is performing with his band The Unwanted, plus special guests, at the world famous Handlebar J Steakhouse and Saloon in Scottsdale on Friday, May 22nd. Whey has been described as "a larger than life outlaw, with a tender heart, and humble manners." Prior to Whey Jennings and The Unwanted taking the stage, catch the breathtaking desert views while listening to live music on the HBJ patio from 5 to 7, and take advantage superb food and libations at the west's best happy hour from 5 to 8.

Born into "Outlaw Country" royalty, Whey says he is excited for the opportunity to play a favorite club of his Grandpa Waylon Jennings and his Grandma Jessi Colter. Grandpa Waylon performed at Handlebar J many times, and Grandma Jessi still performs there at special events. Uncle Shooter Jennings has also performed at Handlebar J, making Whey the 3rd generation of Jennings' to grace the Handlebar J stage. Whey recalls his first experience performing on stage at about 6 or 7 years old.

Grandma Jessi Colter had just finished singing her hit song "Storms Never Last" and as Colter left the stage, she set her microphone on a backstage chair. At that tender age, staking his claim to those legendary country genes, Whey grabbed the mic and began singing "Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys." Grandpa Waylon said, "Hey, hold up there, Hoss, wait for me!" and began playing the song with Whey. The crowd went nuts, and from that moment on, Whey knew he was born to be on the stage. "They tell me I sound an awful lot like him," Whey said of Waylon Jennings, who died in 2002.

Whey and Waylon

Born and raised in Grand Prairie, Texas, Whey is the eldest son of Waylon's eldest son, Terry. He grew up working on a cotton farm, just like Grandpa Waylon. He says he always knew he wanted to pursue music. "I've got music in my blood, y'know? My Uncle Shooter called one day and asked if I wanted to come out to one of his shows and do a couple of songs with him. I started talking to some people on the bus, musicians from different areas, and I've been on it ever since." He says the best advice from his family came from Uncle Shooter who told him, "Be yourself and don't change that. That's pretty much the only advice there is, 'cause once they got ya, they got ya. Play hard to get."

Whey, who writes originals as well as doing covers, is working on a CD that's comprised of half originals he has written or co written, and half tunes made famous by Waylon Jennings. You'll hear some songs from this much-anticipated CD at the show. Whey Jennings and The Unwanted perform songs made famous by artists like David Allen Coe, Willie Nelson, Lynyrd Skynrd, Bob Seger and of course, Waylon Jennings. "I'm trying to live up to my Grandfather's name and not mess up, you know?" he says. "I don't want to be a clone, but I always want to pay good homage to my Grandfather's legacy. I want to stay true to who I am, but not forget who I am." Whey ends every performance with an a cappella original dedicated to his grandfather called "Missing You." Come for the dancing and entertainment…stay for the last song if you want to be moved. Info at Handlebarj.com

May 17, 2015

Contact the author of this article at Editor@MusicAndMoreAZ.com.