New Artist Spotlight - Shooter Jennings

New Artist Spotlight: Shooter Jennings

By Gary Voorhies

Waylon Albright Jennings, nicknamed Shooter, was born to life on the road.

The only child of Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter, he lived his first few years in a crib on his parents' tour bus. "I thought everybody's family was like mine," he said. "We'd check out of hotels and travel all night. I loved it. To this day I sleep better on the bus than anywhere else."

Beginning at age 5, he learned drums, piano and guitar. By 14, Jennings was an avid guitar player.

Then he discovered rock 'n' roll, and left at 18 to seek his fortune in Los Angeles. "I had to get out of Nashville because I didn't feel it was my place at the time," he said.

In L.A., Jennings assembled the band Stargunn and had local success. But something didn't ring true for him.

"I was posing as a rocker," he said. "A Country guy trying to be something he wasn't."

In 2003, Jennings dissolved Stargunn and went to New York for a break. He returned to Los Angeles with a stack of songs, assembled a band he dubbed the 357s, and recorded a new album.

In 2004, he signed to Universal South Records, which released Put the 'O' Back in Country. The album, produced by Dave Cobb, was released in June and features 11 songs co-written by Jennings, including the single "Fourth of July."

Jennings recently finished recording his second album for the label. Electric Rodeo, produced by Dave Cobb, will be released on April 4, 2006.

Jennings made his big-screen debut on Nov. 18, playing his father in the Johnny Cash biopic, "Walk the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix as Cash and Reese Witherspoon as June Carter Cash. Jennings performs "I'm a Long Way From Home" on the soundtrack, released on Nov. 15.

IN HIS OWN WORDS:

WHO IS YOUR MUSICAL HERO?

"My dad, by far."

WHICH SONG WOULD YOU LIKE TO COVER?

"'Stranger In A Strange Land' written by Leon Russell and Don Preston."

WHAT CD IS ON YOUR STEREO RIGHT NOW?

"On my bus I've been cranking a Steve Young collection called Lonesome, On'ry and Mean."

WHAT IS YOUR PET PEEVE?

"Quitters and people that take food home from restaurants and then leave it in the fridge."

WHAT MOMENT IN YOUR LIFE WOULD YOU RELIVE IF YOU COULD?

"Playing at Lollapalooza 1996 with my dad. That was a blast."

WHAT SONG DO YOU WISH YOU HAD WRITTEN?