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Waylon Jennings music biography continued...

and by the age of 12, he was playing in a band and working as a radio disc jockey. Jennings scored a record contract with A&M in 1963, but the relationship was short-lived because the label wanted a more pop sound and Jennings remained committed to country. In 1965, Jennings moved to Nashville. He became roommates with country music's man in black, Johnny Cash, which marked the start of a lifelong friendship. That year Jennings had his first country hit, "Stop the World (And Let Me Off)." By 1968, he had several successful singles, including "Walk On Out of My Mind" and "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line," and won his first Grammy in 1969. Around this time Jennings music started to evolve toward a tougher, more bass driven sound that would come to be known as "outlaw" country. In 1973, Jennings released Honky Tonk Heroes, which is often seen as one of the early albums displaying his new take on country music. The album contained two tunes which reached the top of the country charts—"This Time" and "I'm a Ramblin Man." In 1975, Jennings was honored by the Country Music Association as Male Vocalist of the Year, finally gaining acceptance for his rebellious approach to country.



In 1978, Jennings teamed up with Willie Nelson and recorded Waylon & Willie, which went on to sell several million copies. One of their duets from the album, "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys," reached the top of the charts and gave Jennings his second Grammy Award. Jennings continued to produce hits with crossover appeal throughout the 80s, and while his popularity as a country radio staple began to decline in the 90s, he still toured extensively until 1997. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001. Later that year, Jennings had to have a foot amputated because diabetes-related health problems. He passed away on February 13, 2002 at his home in Chandler, Arizona.