KFAL The Big 900 Classic Country
Waymore’s Outlaws – Fred Newell, Richie Albright, Tommy Townsend and Jerry Bridges.
Several years ago, former long-time members of Waylon Jennings’ recording and touring band formed Waymore’s Outlaws as a tribute to the late Country Music Hall of Famer and enlisted singer/songwriter Tommy Townsend to handle lead singer duties. In January of this year, Waymore’s Outlaws teamed up with Shooter Jennings, son of their former boss, for a historic tour. The initial series of dates were so well received, the group continues to add dates across the U.S.
“We’ve obviously known Shooter since he was born,” said Jerry “Jigger” Bridges, who played bass with Waylon for more than two decades. “When he brought up the idea of touring together, we were all in.”
Though Shooter carried on his father’s outlaw tradition – both in lifestyle and the genre-defying music he has recorded and released – he had never before performed with Waymore’s Outlaws. The band opens each show with Townsend performing several Waylon songs and cuts from their Same Ol’ Outlaws cd and upcoming live album, Live at Goose On The Lake. When Shooter takes the stage, the band backs him as he performs additional songs from his father’s deep catalog of hits. An acoustic set of his own material follows, before the band again joins him on stage for a rousing finale.
“Shooter’s an amazing artist in his own right, and it’s fun to back him on his music and also hear him sing songs we’ve been playing since he was just a twinkle in Waylon and Jessi’s eyes,” added Richie Albright, Waylon’s original drummer and longtime friend.
Townsend was fortunate enough to be mentored by Waylon, who was a pivotal force in Tommy’s life. The two collaborated several times, with Waylon playing and singing harmony on tracks and even co-producing a full album on Tommy with Bridges.
Rounding out the band is legendary guitarist and steel player Fred Newell who first recorded with Waylon on the Moonrunners movie soundtrack in the mid 70′s and later toured with him when the late Ralph Mooney retired.
