Waylon Jennings’ Children are Keeping His Outlaw Spirit Alive

Waylon Jennings’ children live to see how their legendary father started the outlaw country music movement. They’ve been with him when he stood up for his rights and doing things his own way. 

Let’s get to know more about Waylon Jennings’s kids today, keep on reading below. 

Terry Vance Jennings

33 years ago I kinda met my future wife #Debra it's a funny story in my #book #Waylon #Tales of my #Outlaw #Dad https://t.co/4PbZjbUAd6 pic.twitter.com/3oiNMdRdRK

— Terry Jennings (@TerryJennings33) July 3, 2017

Jennings’ eldest son, Terry, had died in January 2019. He was 62. Terry’s son, Josh, turned to Facebook to share the sad news. “He lived an [adventurous] life as many of you know, and he has accomplished so much. I was always proud to be his son,” Josh also wrote. 

Born on January 21, 1957, Terry was the eldest of four children with Waylon’s first wife, Maxine Caroll Lawrence. Terry spent most of his early years in the Lubbock, Littlefield, and Levelland areas of West Texas. When he was15, he had dropped out of school and was a regular roadie working for his father. He started by selling merchandise, and eventually became the drum technician and road manager for Waylon’s right-hand man, Richie Albright.

Terry also had an accomplished career in the music industry. He ran the Korban Music Group, a full-service artist management and consulting company, as well as Waylon’s Son Publishing. 

In 2016, Terry recounted his close relationship with his iconic father into a memoir called “Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad.”

Julie Rae Jennings

Julie also passed away in 2014 after losing a battle to cancer. She was 56 then. Her brother Terry described her as “a loving sister that was very set in her ways,” and “the only person dad was afraid of.”

“Dad would tell folks, “Please don’t make her mad, I have to deal with it,'” Terry recalled. He further revealed that Julie was nicknamed by her dad as Froggy, “because when she got mad, her neck would bulge out like a frog.”

Buddy Dean Jennings

Before Waylon Jennings became the outlaw country legend, he was a bass player in Buddy Holly’s band in 1959. Holly hired him for the Winter Dance Party Tour, which has been Jennings’s biggest break and a turning point in his life. Jennings considered Buddy as his mentor and the first person who had confidence in him.

Sadly, Holly tragically died in a plane crash shortly after takeoff from the Winter Dance Party Tour. A little over a year after Buddy Holly passed away, Jennings welcomed his third child, Buddy Dean, named after Holly.

Like all of Jennings’ other children, Buddy has been a champion at keeping his father’s legacy alive through photos on social media and, of course, at tribute events and various concerts. Not to mention, Buddy is his father’s spitting image.

Buddy can often be seen at his brother Shooter’s shows, rocking any Jennings family merchandise.

Deana Jennings

Deana was the youngest among Waylon Jennings’ children with his first marriage to Maxine. Sadly, she passed away in 2015.

Waylon Albright, known as Shooter Jennings

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A post shared by Shooter Jennings (@shooterjennings) on Jun 15, 2019 at 5:14pm PDT

After three marriages and during the lowest point of Jennings’ life, he married fellow country singer Jessi Colter. It was a marriage that lasted until Jennings’ death. They had a son, Waylon Albright, or more known as Shooter Jennings. 

Shooter literally spent his childhood on a tour bus, surrounded by the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson, so it’s no longer a surprise when he pursued a career in music. Like his father known for his outlaw music, Shooter established himself as an artist who played by his own rules. His music features both hard rock and outlaw country.

“My dad said to me when I was younger, ‘Don’t ever try to be like anyone else, because you’re never gonna be,'” Shooter shared. “It took a long time for me to really get that, you know. But, that to me, has always stood the test of time.

Shooter made his debut with the single “4th of July” of his 2005 album Put the “O” Back in Country.” As of writing, Shooter has already released a total of ten albums. 

And you might be wondering where Shooter got his name. Well, Waylon Jennings children’s names are quite unique, but Shooter’s got the most interesting story. According to his father, he came up with the name when, moments after the newborn Shooter emerged from his mother’s womb, the boy sprayed a nurse before anyone could put on his first diaper. “And I believe it’s true. He didn’t make [stuff] like that up,” Shooter said.  

Tomi Lynne

In 1962, Jenning married Lynne Jones, and they adopted a child, Tomi Lynne.

Jennifer Eddy Jennings

Jessi Colter had a daughter, Jennifer, from her previous marriage to guitar legend Duane Eddy. Although Jennifer is not blood-related to Jennings, she grew up as though he was. 

Jennifer’s son, who goes by Struggle Jennings, has also followed his family’s musical footsteps. He recently released a song, “Ace in the Hole,” which features Struggle’s legendary grandmother and his mom Jenni Eddy Jennings. 

It’s clear to see that music runs in the blood of Waylon Jennings’ children.