The song, produced between 1973 and 1984, is newly edited and mixed by Waylon’s son, Shooter Jennings, a three-time Grammy® winner producer/artist.
Three-time Grammy Award-winning Shooter Jennings has announced the release of his unreleased album Songbird, a father and legendary legend Waylon Jennings who passed away in 2002.
Songbird, the first of three albums (trilogy) that brings together unreleased recordings by innovative country music superstar Waylon Jennings, is a collection of recordings produced by Waylon and his longtime drummer and co-producer Richie Albright from 1973 to 1984 in various studios. The group is attended by members of his unforgettable backing band, The Wailers, including Albright and renowned pedal steel guitarist Ralph Mooney, as well as special guests such as Tony Joe White and Jessi Colter. The album Songbird, which is newly edited and mixed by Shooter Jennings at Hollywood’s Sacred Sunset Sound Studio 3, will be released on Son of Jessi/Thirty Tigers on Friday, October 3, 2025.
The single “Songbird” is a beautiful arrangement of Fleetwood Mac’s masterpieces by Waylon.
It is a version, and it is also the first single and title track from the album. The single “Songbird” and album “Songbird” project were officially announced on June 15th at the Waylon Jennings Birthday Party/Father’s Day celebration hosted by Shooter at The Viper Room in West Hollywood, California. On the day, in addition to the remaining members of Waylon’s backing band The Waylors, Jamie Wyatt, Elizabeth Cookkett, Ashley Monroe, Charlie Crockett and Shooter Jennings, who are active in the country/American world, became house bands, and performed a number of Waylon Jennings’ brilliant masterpieces.
Waylon Jennings “Songbird”
The Songbird project started in the summer of 2024 when Shooter Jennings began organizing his father’s hundreds of studio recordings with high-resolution multi-track transfers. He then began verifying the tape at Hollywood’s historic Sunset Sound Studio 3 (Jennings renamed “Snake Mountain”) with the help of veteran engineer Nate Hesley.
Shooter says.
“Songbird is the first to celebrate my father (Waylon Jennings)’s return to the present day. To all the fans who have kept his father’s voice, songs and legacy, there will be moments to be exposed to the most exciting music that the world has no idea about in the coming years. I hope these records will bring you the joy that has given me.”
This project gave me a whole new chapter in my relationship with my father. Working on this music has brought me a whole new understanding of how my father made music, when, and for what he made it. The tape has traces of hard work, and the passion and soul within it continues to live on as much as it was on the day it was recorded. ”
■Waylon Jennings Biography
Born in Texas in 1937. He began playing guitar at the age of 8 and became a radio DJ at the age of 14, and is also known for being recognized by Buddy Holly and backed up. After Buddy’s death, he made his debut in Nashville after working solo. However, he was resentful of Nashville’s old-fashioned production system and worked with his own band The Waylors. Following the album Ladies Love Outlaws (1972), his own productions of Lonesome Only and Mean (1973) and Honky Tonk Heroes (1973), led to a “outlaw country” boom that was different from the Nashville country.
Since 1985, he has been working with Kris Christofferson, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash.
Formed The Highwaymen. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001.
He passed away the following day, February 13th, 2002, at the age of 64.
■Release information
Waylon Jennings
“Songbird” / “Songbird”
Released on Friday, October 3, 2025
Streaming link:https://waylonjennings.ffm.to/songbird
Label: Son of Jessi/Thirty Tigers (Imported edition, distribution only)
■Music Video
“Songbird”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3mRJgF_ssNw
■CONNECT WITH WAYLON JENNINGS
Official: https://www.waylonjennings.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OfficialWaylonJennings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialwaylon/
Twitter: https://x.com/officialwaylon
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WaylonJenningsOfficial
■CONNECT WITH SHOOTER JENNINGS
Official: https://shooterjennings.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShooterJennings
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shooterjennings/
Twitter: https://x.com/shooterjennings
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@shooterjennings
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