Waylon Grandson Whey Jennings Readies Debut Album (2024)

April 12, 2024

TriggerNews33 Comments

Waylon Grandson Whey Jennings Readies Debut Album (1)

It’s not that Whey Jennings is the new kid on the block. Those who follow the Waylon Jennings clan or Outlaw country have likely seen his name around since he first emerged singing songs in 2012, if they don’t already count themselves as a fan. But in the last few years, the grandson of Waylon Jennings and the son of Waylon’s oldest son Terry has begun to take music much more seriously, and is finally readying the release of what he considers his debut album.

If we’re being honest, early Whey Jennings had a lot of work to do to live up to the name. With big shoes to fill and a family legacy that is easy to be overshadowed by, he struggled a little bit to find his feet, and an original voice and sound. All the more reason to take his time, pay his dues, find out who he was as a person and an artist before trying to take it big time.

But now he’s done that, with tons of time logged on the stage, many miles burned down the road, and multiple EPs released. And with Shooter Jennings now mostly retired from touring and recording to focus more on production, the Waylon Jennings legacy needs a modern ambassador out there helping to keep the memory alive.

“I believe what we’re doing is powerful and I believe it’s going to change lives,”Jenningssays introducing his upcoming album Jekyll & Hyde due out on August 23rd. “I want to be an entertainer, but I also want to be somebody who makes you think about not only who you are, but who everyone around you is, and how to make this world a better place. I want people to feel my music.”

Waylon Grandson Whey Jennings Readies Debut Album (2)

Just as Whey has grown as an artist, he’s also grown as a person, going from cover songs of rowdy ways, to original songs of fighting off addiction and finding sobriety through faith. Original songs are now the centerpiece of his music, with eight of the twelve songs on the upcoming album co-written by Whey, along with multiple contributions from songwriter Wes Shipp.

The other centerpiece of Whey’s music is his whiskey soaked voice washed in the blood of real life experience. To sing it you have to live it, and Whey lived out these songs, including the title track that speaks to his transformation in both life and music moving forward.

“This album’s got something for everyone on it, but I’m calling it‘Jekyll & Hyde’because that song encases the whole project,”Jenningssays. “There’s me back then, and there’s the new me now. The depth with some of these songs really touches my soul.”

Jekyll & Hyde will be released through Dirt Rock Empire, who makes highly produced videos for Whey and the rest of their roster. Jennings released a six song EP in 2023 called Just Before The Dawn that featured his new focus on songwriting. Jekyll & Hyde promises to feature even more as Jennings arrives on the national stage.

Jekyll & Hyde is now available for pre-order.

– – – – – – – –

Track List:

1. “Jekyll & Hyde”(WheyJennings, Wes Shipp)
2. “One of These Days”(WheyJennings, Sam Lowe)
3. “Girl On A Fast Horse”featuring Charity Bowden(WheyJennings, David Wade, Shane Grove, Taylor Hughes)
4. “Hotter in Texas”(WheyJennings, David Wade, Shane Grove, Chris Foust)
5. “One Folded”(Michael Anthony Curtis, Gordon MaGee, Marlon L Raybon)
6. “Caught Up”(WheyJennings, Wes Shipp)
7. “Sleeves”(WheyJennings, Wes Shipp)
8. “Home”(David Wade, CJ Garton, Shane Grove)
9. “10 Day Run”(WheyJennings, Wes Shipp, Sam Lowe)
10. “I Would Die”(WheyJennings, Michael Curtis)
11. “Billboard Jesus”(WheyJennings, Wes Shipp)
12. “Hallelujah”(Leonard Cohen)

Shooter Jennings, Terry Jennings, Waylon Jennings, Wes Shipp, Whey Jennings

» Newest Adds to Saving Country Music’s Top 25 Current Playlist (#138)

33 Comments

Tommy ToughBolts
April 12, 2024 @ 8:24 am

Is there any known relationship between Whey and Shooter? Just curious of the future possibility of a Shooter produced album in the future and how cool that would be

Reply
- Tomahawktoad
  April 12, 2024 @ 12:05 pm
  
  Shooter would be Whey’s uncle
  
  Reply
archenklos
April 12, 2024 @ 8:33 am

This seems technically pretty good, but unless the artist does something markedly different than their famous family member (Hank III, Shooter, Bobby Bare Jr., JTE), they just come off to me as pale imitations riding the coattails. I’m sure there’ll be a crowd this appeals to, but for me it just seems merely “okay”. Without the name and the Waylon/Hank Jr. aesthetic, this would barely be a blip on the radar.

Reply
Kevin Smith
April 12, 2024 @ 8:53 am

I first encountered Whey some years back at Nashville Palace. He was making a live recording there one night and I caught a portion of his set. Initial impression at the time was, man he’s really working the Waylon/ Bocephus look. But his sound was all Gibson Les Paul’s on 10 and screaming rock leads, as in a heavy blues rock sound. He did play some covers of Waylon of course. I wasn’t blown away, but I remember thinking, ok there could be something here, if developed with more of a focus on the writing.
Well, I think what we have here is just what I hoped for, good songs and his own sound. It’s still rock forward music, but it does scream Outlaw in subject matter. I think he has found some soul in that unique voice of his, and to me its working. Honestly, I think he’d be a good opener for Whitey Morgan, I believe that fan base would dig what Wheys doing. Call me pleasantly surprised. Good on ya’ Whey!

See Also
Theatre director accuses able-bodied actors of playing disabled roles Rita Ora forms a very unlikely band with Jason Momoa and Jack Black Navratilova, Lendl Reach Finals -- the American Way How all 13 LIV golfers performed at 2024 Masters first round, including Bryson DeChambeau

Reply
- Howard Banks
  April 13, 2024 @ 9:38 am
  
  Sounds a lot like waylon…
  
  Reply
Dale
April 12, 2024 @ 8:54 am

Music and songs are subjective and hits everyone differently. However, Whey has made his own path and found his own success in the business without having to lean on his family’s name. It’s called evolution.

Reply
Wayne
April 12, 2024 @ 9:50 am

He has the chops for sure.

Reply
allcanadianamericanboybrady
April 12, 2024 @ 10:44 am

Holy crap,WHEY Jennings is debuting ?????????????????????? Congrats,laddie,and make your dad and Grandpa proud !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reply
Luckyoldsun
April 12, 2024 @ 12:08 pm

Good luck to Whey. I saw the video on Y-T of him and Thomas Gabriel (grandson of Cash) doing “Highwayman,” Eerie.
Merle Haggard had something like four sons–all of whom sang like him–and none of them broke through. Maybe Ben Haggard still stands a chance. The name and lineage only get one so far.

Reply
Trish
April 12, 2024 @ 12:28 pm

Having met Waylon years ago, and having played his music for a long time on some great Country stations, I can say this: Granddaddy would be proud. Whey is singing from his soul. 👏🏼

Reply
allcanadianamericanboybrady
April 12, 2024 @ 1:07 pm

Figured he would,Trish.

Reply
Wessy Wayne
April 12, 2024 @ 2:03 pm

Does he have a lisp? I feel like I hear it sometimes.

Reply
- Luckyoldsun
  April 13, 2024 @ 12:35 am
  
  I’ll grant you that Whey would probably not be the favoritte in an elocution contest–or be cast as Professor Higgins in the next Broadway revival of “My Fair Lady”–but I think that saying he has a lisp is going way too far.
  
  Reply
  - Wessy Wayne
    April 13, 2024 @ 6:44 am
    
    I wasn’t trying to be rude, I was genuinely curious. Now and then I swear I hear it. I went back and tried him again. I didn’t hear it as much this time.
    
    Reply
norabelle
April 12, 2024 @ 7:42 pm

I didn’t read any of the comments before I commented because his lyrics “it’s always darkest before the dawn” was such a great line. Haunting actually, not sure who wrote that line but it’s right up there with ” she put him out like the burning end of a midnight cigarette…” I love great lyrics.

Reply
- Adam Gump
  April 12, 2024 @ 8:03 pm
  
  100% ☝️☝️☝️
  
  Reply
- JC
  April 13, 2024 @ 9:29 am
  
  That’s like a 400 year old saying and 0% original.
  
  Reply
Blackhat
April 12, 2024 @ 8:01 pm

Sounds alright. But does the world need ANOTHER recording of Hallelujah?? Its generally always over-sung anyway.
Also, there should be a rule against re-using album names

Reply
- Daniele
  April 13, 2024 @ 6:20 am
  
  AMEN bro
  
  Reply
Jimmy
April 12, 2024 @ 8:12 pm

“I believe what we’re doing is powerful and I believe it’s going to change lives,”
At least he’s humble. 😂

Reply
William Olsovsky
April 12, 2024 @ 10:16 pm

Not bad. Wish these yununs would play real country. Guess I’m just gettn old. Long live hank Waylon Merle.

Reply
Michelle
April 13, 2024 @ 12:31 am

They named him “Whey”?

Reply
- Robert's Country Blog
  April 13, 2024 @ 5:48 am
  
  It would be cheesy if he collaborated with Kurds 🙂
  
  Reply
Scott S.
April 13, 2024 @ 6:34 am

Seems Whey has been around for ever, so it’s strange this is his debut. He has had a few good songs over the years, but he mostly comes off as someone trying too hard to be an outlaw. Haven’t listened to this album yet, but the songs posted here don’t really seem much different than his past catalog. I’ll give it a spin and see if he changes my mind.

Reply
- Doc
  April 14, 2024 @ 8:10 am
  
  I met Whey thru a then-bandmate of mine who was a member of a support club for the dominant 1%er MC in this area (I won’t say which one) and played guitar with him for a short time (a month or so of back to back gigs) in summer of 2013. Trust me, he was definitely an outlaw. Ain’t nothing fake about that man. He won’t talk to me anymore because we parted ways on kinda bad terms, mostly due to the fact that I was a junkie back then, and a total train wreck. I stopped playing professionally after that summer, because the drugged out musician lifestyle wrecked me to the point where I ended up a homeless street bum. But I will always be a fan of Whey and I hope he forgives me someday for letting him down, clearly it didn’t slow him down any….
  
  Reply
  - Scott S.
    April 14, 2024 @ 8:55 am
    
    I’m sure Whey, the person, has lived the outlaw life, and it’s reasonable to expect his experiences to be reflected in his songs. Also, I am a fan of Outlaw Country, both classic and new. I like his cowriter here Wes Shipp as well.
    But sometimes artists just seem to try a little too hard to portray that outlaw character and image and it almost becomes a bit corny. And I’m saying this as a guy who generally defends outlaw type music.
    As I said though, I’m going to spin this album when it’s released. We’ll see if there is the growth there Trigger is talking about. I hope so, and wish Whey the best.
    
    Reply
Don Hayden
April 13, 2024 @ 8:02 am

Excellent! Once again I would not have found this great music without this website. Thanks again Trigger

Reply
Lori
April 13, 2024 @ 12:22 pm

Whey Jennings is in my opinion one of just a few young artist who is actually keeping country music “Country”. He has lived the songs and now on a great path. He is Waylon’s grandson..But, Whey is blazing his own path to prove himself and keep country music the way it is suppose to be. I’m proud of you Whey Jennings!

Reply
Mark Frazier
April 13, 2024 @ 2:09 pm

I have seen Whey in concert twice and have plans to see him again in July. He does an amazing job covering his grandfather’s music but he I en excellent musical artist in his on wright, with such songs as Lead me Home, just before the Dawn, Gypsy soul, if it wasn’t for the sinnen,

Reply
Big Pete
April 13, 2024 @ 2:18 pm

Are You Sure Waylon Done It This Way?

Reply
Sylvia Nankyer Payton
April 13, 2024 @ 7:22 pm

An autobiographical album “Jekyll & Hyde”, Good job Whey Jennings!. There is redemption in your “Just Before The Dawn” album as the “Good News Book” teaches us each year before Easter. May you continue to be blessed. Happy birthday to you and to your grandfather, Waylon Jennings on what would have been his 85th birthday in 2024.

Reply
Joe
April 14, 2024 @ 8:21 am

Luv Whey and his positive messages. It was because of his influence that helped get me sober.

Reply
Patty
April 14, 2024 @ 8:38 am

Saw him outside of Nashville last year. To me he is the real deal singer and family man. Has overcome alot and doing it his way. Keep ’em coming Whey. Sorry I missed him last week in northern Arizona, hope he comes back to the desert someday.

Reply

Waylon Grandson Whey Jennings Readies Debut Album (2024)

33 Comments

Leave a Reply