Ep514: Waylon's Lost Tapes - Shooter Continues the Jennings Legacy

Ep514: Waylon's Lost Tapes - Shooter Continues the Jennings Legacy

Author: The Vinyl Guide August 25, 2025 Duration: 52:10

Shooter Jennings reveals the story of hundreds of unreleased recordings his father Waylon made between 1974-1984, including stunning covers now being released as "Songbird" - plus more musical stories from the lives of the Jennings family.

Order the new "Songbird" LP here.

Topics Include:

  • Shooter Jennings discusses upcoming Songbird release featuring his late father Waylon's unfinished recordings
  • Most songs were actually complete with vocals and instruments already recorded professionally
  • Waylon privately recorded after 1974 RCA battle, keeping hundreds of tapes unlabeled
  • Tapes digitized in 2008 but sat untouched until Shooter systematically catalogued everything recently
  • Discovery process was emotional journey revealing Waylon's constant studio experimentation and joy
  • Found treasure trove including Fleetwood Mac's "Songbird" cover and multiple complete albums worth
  • Shooter mixed everything on vintage 1976 analog console maintaining authentic original sound
  • Three planned album releases starting with Songbird, featuring different themes and flavors
  • Tony Joe White plays harmonica, Jessi Colter sings, original band members returned
  • Cataloging required detective work, Googling lyrics, consulting surviving band members for identification
  • Growing up as Waylon's son meant different childhood, touring summers, recognizing fame
  • Family record collection included Beatles, Harry Nilsson, later Waylon bought entire collections
  • Teenage Shooter brought home Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana; parents showed concern but support
  • Waylon's deep friendship with Buddy Holly, plane crash guilt haunted him for years
  • Eventually found closure visiting crash site, could finally look at wreckage photos
  • Parents advised being authentic, not copying others; mother worried about rough crowd
  • Shooter's career shows risk-taking from country to experimental electronic and industrial music
  • Produced diverse artists from Duff McKagan to Marilyn Manson, always seeking creative challenges
  • Early collaboration with father on Fenixon project mixed country with industrial influences
  • Vinyl remains important, frequent Amoeba Records visits, special Record Store Day releases planned

Extended and high resolution version of this podcast is available at: www.Patreon.com/VinylGuide


There's a particular kind of conversation that happens when two people who are deeply passionate about music get together, surrounded by shelves of records. The Vinyl Guide-Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds captures that feeling perfectly. Hosted by Nate, a dedicated collector and enthusiast, this podcast feels less like a formal interview and more like you're overhearing a great chat in the back of a record store. The discussions naturally weave through artists' creative processes, the stories behind iconic albums, and the tangible magic of the format itself. You'll hear from musicians, producers, and other insiders who live and breathe vinyl, offering perspectives that go far beyond the liner notes. But it's not just about the artists; it's for the collectors, too. Episodes often delve into the practical, nerdy details that make this hobby so compelling-like distinguishing between a common pressing and a rare, valuable find, or learning how to properly care for your collection so it lasts for decades. It’s that blend of artistic insight and collector-focused knowledge that gives this podcast its unique character. Whether you're a seasoned cratedigger or just appreciate the warmth of an analog recording, these conversations offer a rich, human connection to the music you love, all centered around the grooves of a vinyl record.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds
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