“FROM 2002 UNTIL NOW, WAYLON JENNINGS’ VOICE WAS SILENT — OR SO IT SOMETIMES FEELS.” When Waylon Jennings passed away in 2002, it seemed like one of outlaw country’s most unmistakable voices had finally gone quiet. But the story of his music didn’t end there. Over the years, his son Shooter Jennings has occasionally spoken about the tapes, sessions, and recordings left behind from Waylon’s most creative years with The Waylors. Some of those recordings date back to the 1970s and early 1980s — the raw outlaw era when Waylon was redefining country music in his own voice. Among the songs fans often revisit is Waylon’s interpretation of Songbird, written by Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac. Waylon never tried to copy the original. Instead, he grounded the song in his own style — a deep, weathered voice with pedal steel gently carrying the emotion behind it. And when listeners hear those recordings today, it can feel less like nostalgia… and more like a reminder that some voices never really leave the room.
“Scroll down to the end of the article to listen to music.” The Silence After 2002 When Waylon Jennings passed…