Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Waylon Jennings’ Children are Keeping His Outlaw Spirit Alive

Waylon Jennings' Kids
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

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

Waylon 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

Waylon Jennings’ daughter, 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 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

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, Jennings married Lynne Jones, and they adopted a child, Tomi Lynne.

Jennifer Eddy Jennings

https://www.facebook.com/437461723449820/photos/a.437477176781608/437477116781614/?type=3&theater

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 she 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. 

Latest Stories

Keith Urban holds a CMA award on stage, showing the same trophies he often ships home so his mom can keep a room full of them.

Keith Urban Gives Away Almost Every Award He Wins So One Person Can Keep a Room Full of Them

Keith Urban doesn’t just pick up awards, he packs them up and ships them off faster than most country stars can find a shelf. For a guy who’s racked up ...

Toby Keith performs with his American flag guitar, the same patriotic spirit that fueled his song "Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue."

The Untold Truth Behind Toby Keith’s “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue (The Angry American)”

When Toby Keith sat down with a fantasy football stat sheet and scribbled out “Courtesy of the Red, White, and Blue”, he didn’t just write a song. He lit a ...

Toby Keith plays guitar with an American flag design, capturing the patriotic vibe perfect for a Fourth of July country playlist.

35 Patriotic Country Songs to Turn Your Backyard Into the Ultimate 4th of July Party

Nothing says freedom like blasting a rowdy country playlist while you torch a few burgers, keep the cooler stocked, and watch your drunk uncle light fireworks way too close to ...

Keith Urban sits next to Nicole Kidman looking serious, a moment that echoes him shutting down talk about her steamy movie scenes.

Keith Urban Shuts Down Interview When Nicole Kidman’s Scenes With Younger Men Are Mentioned

Some lines just ain’t worth crossing, especially when you’re asking Keith Urban about Nicole Kidman and Zac Efron rolling around on screen. This week, the whole thing went sideways when ...

Tim McGraw sits outdoors with Faith Hill, leaning on a cane, sparking questions about his health but showing their strong bond.

Tim McGraw Using a Cane With Faith Hill Beside Him Raises Questions About His Health

Sometimes country music’s strongest cowboys need a little help standing tall, and Tim McGraw’s latest photo has folks asking how much longer he can keep carrying that torch. It’s not ...

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood smile together at an event, standing united amid the ongoing sexual assault lawsuit drama.

Garth Brooks’ Marriage With Trisha Yearwood Reportedly Unshaken by Sexual Assault Lawsuit

Nothing tests a marriage like ugly headlines, but Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood are riding out this storm shoulder to shoulder. Since last October, Garth Brooks has been staring down ...

Country legend George Jones plays guitar under spotlight, embodying the raw heartbreak behind these 12 most depressing country songs.

These 12 Depressing Country Songs Will Have You Sobbing and Hitting Repeat All Night

Straight from the depths of Reddit’s country corner, here’s a list built by real fans who know heartbreak better than any Nashville hit machine ever could. These songs weren’t picked ...

Jimmy Swaggart preaching passionately in an undated photo, remembered now after his death at 90 from a heart attack.

Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart Dies at 90 Just Weeks After Suffering a Massive Heart Attack

There’s a hush across Pentecostal churches this week as believers remember Jimmy Swaggart, the firebrand evangelist, gospel singer, and TV preacher who spent decades filling stadiums, living rooms, and airwaves ...

Gavin Adcock onstage raising a whiskey bottle while blasting Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ as “not real country music.”

Viral Country Star Gavin Adcock Slams Beyoncé’s ‘Cowboy Carter’ Says ‘That S— Ain’t Country Music’

Some headlines feel like a parody of the country music circus these days, and this is one of them. Gavin Adcock, the beer-slinging viral star who built half his brand ...

George Strait beams onstage at Patriots Stadium, guitar in hand, as he brings Texas charm with “All My Ex’s Live in Texas.”

George Strait Brings Lone Star Magic to Patriots Stadium With “All My Ex’s Live in Texas”

Some legends don’t need confetti cannons or stadium-shaking pyros. They just need a guitar, a baritone voice, and a song about every ex they ever outran in a pickup truck. ...