Ep514: Waylon's Lost Tapes - Shooter Continues the Jennings Legacy

The Vinyl Guide - Artist Interviews for Record Collectors and Music Nerds

Shooter Jennings reveals the story of hundreds of unreleased recordings his father Waylon made between 1974-1984, including stunning covers now being released as "Songbird" - plus more musical stories from the lives of the Jennings family.

Order the new "Songbird" LP here.

Topics Include:

• Shooter Jennings discusses upcoming Songbird release featuring his late father Waylon's unfinished recordings
• Most songs were actually complete with vocals and instruments already recorded professionally
• Waylon privately recorded after 1974 RCA battle, keeping hundreds of tapes unlabeled
• Tapes digitized in 2008 but sat untouched until Shooter systematically catalogued everything recently
• Discovery process was emotional journey revealing Waylon's constant studio experimentation and joy
• Found treasure trove including Fleetwood Mac's "Songbird" cover and multiple complete albums worth
• Shooter mixed everything on vintage 1976 analog console maintaining authentic original sound
• Three planned album releases starting with Songbird, featuring different themes and flavors
• Tony Joe White plays harmonica, Jessi Colter sings, original band members returned
• Cataloging required detective work, Googling lyrics, consulting surviving band members for identification
• Growing up as Waylon's son meant different childhood, touring summers, recognizing fame
• Family record collection included Beatles, Harry Nilsson, later Waylon bought entire collections
• Teenage Shooter brought home Nine Inch Nails, Nirvana; parents showed concern but support
• Waylon's deep friendship with Buddy Holly, plane crash guilt haunted him for years
• Eventually found closure visiting crash site, could finally look at wreckage photos
• Parents advised being authentic, not copying others; mother worried about rough crowd
• Shooter's career shows risk-taking from country to experimental electronic and industrial music
• Produced diverse artists from Duff McKagan to Marilyn Manson, always seeking creative challenges
• Early collaboration with father on Fenixon project mixed country with industrial influences
• Vinyl remains important, frequent Amoeba Records visits, special Record Store Day releases planned

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