Album Notes

Waylon's brother and longtime band member and manager, Tommy Jennings, offers a heartfelt and intimate tribute to the life and music of the country legend, including never before released tracks featuring Waylon on lead guitar.;

Tommy Jennings, an accomplished musician and songwriter in his own right, decided to do a tribute to his brother, Waylon, shortly after his death in February 2002. With the assistance and encouragement of music industry professionals and devoted Waylon fans, Tommy is happy to offer this CD as a tribute worthy of Waylon. The album itself took more than three years to create and it uniquely captures a lifetime of devotion that began when two young boys, growing up in the West plains of Texas, first dreamed of making music together. Waylon joined his brother Tommy and the original Waylors on five of these songs. Tommy rounds out the album with selections and extensive liner notes that tell the true story of the life behind the legend.


Eagle's Last Flight
Haunting background vocals weave through Tommy's composition that he says was inspired by Waylon late one night. Waylon himself wrote that his life was "bigger than the dream," yet in just one beautifully written song, Tommy takes the listener on a very personal journey from the time when he and Waylon were kids to his deeply moving farewell to Waylon in native Cherokee (in recognition of the brothers' honored heritage).

The Girl in the Blue Velvet Band
This classic country ballad about seduction and deceit was the first song that Waylon and Tommy learned as young boys. Their mama heard it from her grandmother, who played it on the pipe organ. Countless songs and years later, Waylon and Tommy still remembered every word, testament to the memories made when their daddy and mama would sing and play guitar for the boys.

When Sin Stops
Originally recorded by the West Texas Rockabilly band the Nighthawks in 1958, Buddy Holly hand selected this Texas Bop tune for Waylon to record. Determined to jumpstart his friend's music career, Buddy not only backed Waylon up but also flew in King Curtis to play sax. On this version, the saxophone is replicated by Jim "Turbo" Kirby, former keyboard player for another of Waylon's West Texas compatriots, Roy Orbison. Caution: This one's contagious!


Me and Them Three Brothers of Mine
Tommy wrote this "life story" song, and both he and Waylon recorded it to document how growing up "on a dirt road leading nowhere" fortified the lives of all four Jennings brothers, including the two youngest, James D and Bo, both of whom make successful livings in West Texas. Waylon included it on Sweet Mother Texas, his last album for RCA, and Tommy recut it with the last verse that mentions all three of his brothers by name.

That's the Chance I'll Have to Take
That's the Chance I'll Have to Take was the first single Waylon recorded for RCA, on the album Folk-Country, which was produced by Chet Atkins in 1965. Bobby Bare had heard Waylon and the original Waylors (including Tommy) in Arizona and shared one of Waylon's recordings with Chet.

He Did the Best He Could (With What He Had at the Time)
This recording provides a rare opportunity to hear both Tommy and Waylon individually, each singing a verse and revisiting a pivotal moment in Waylon's long road to legendary status. In his composition, Tommy recalls how times were tough for Waylon and his band during their early Nashville days. With little money and even less acceptance, the band was ready to leave Waylon in Nashville, but when Waylon said he'd leave, too, the boys "talked it over" and decided to stay around. The music business has never been the same.

Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line
It took 12 singles on RCA, but Waylon finally had a number one hit in the National Trades in 1968 with Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line. Tommy sings this essential Waylon classic, which has been recorded by artists ranging from the Kentucky Headhunters to Elvis Costello.

Dreaming My Dreams
Waylon plays lead guitar on to Tommy's "genuine Jennings" vocals that replicate how Waylon "whispered the song instead of singing it." The almost delicate treatment by a man they called an outlaw speaks to the special fondness he held for this song, which reminded him of all of those individuals who held a special place in his heart.

Don't You Think It's Time
It had been ten years since the two brothers had sung together, when Waylon and Tommy recorded this version of a song Tommy originally cut in 1982. The perfect harmony of their voices underscores the story about the wear and tear of spending years and miles performing on the road, and their shared desire to focus on what's most important in life.


You Asked Me To and Rainy Day Woman
Tommy tops off his tribute singing two of his brother's compositions. Waylon fans will have no trouble recognizing that it's Waylon playing lead guitar on both songs. As Tommy says in the liner notes, "There was no other style like Waylon's"

One listen and you'll know, there is no other tribute to Waylon like this.