Author, Manager & Waylon’s Son Terry Jennings Has Died
Terry Jennings, the oldest son of country music legend Waylon Jennings, as well as an author, manager, publisher, roadie, and talent scout, has passed away. He died Friday morning (1-25) at the age of 62 according to his son Josh. He had spent the later part of his life living near Waco, TX.
“With a heavy heart I am here to inform you all that my father passed earlier this morning,” Josh Jennings said in a statement. “He lived an adventurous life as many of you know and he has accomplished so much. I was always proud to be his son. I know he touched many of your hearts and he always enjoyed sharing his life adventures and lessons with you all. I still hold many of those lessons with me everyday. This is a hard time for all of us, and I ask that you give the family and I some peace as we are dealing with this great loss.”
Waylon Jennings was just 19-years-old when Terry was born on born on Jan. 21, 1957. He was the eldest of four children with Waylon’s first wife Maxine Caroll Lawrence. Terry spent most of his youth in the Lubbock, Littlefield, and Levelland areas of West Texas and by the age of 15, had dropped out of school and was a regular roadie working for his father. He began by selling merchandise, and later became the drum tech for Waylon’s right hand man, Richie Albright, as well as a road manager.
During that time, Terry not only got to witness the rise of his father to the status of a country legend and a Hall of Famer, but he got to see performers like Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Waylon’s final wife Jessi Colter do the same. Though the years, Terry became less like a son, and more like a brother to Waylon, becoming one of Waylon’s closest confidants.
In 2016, Terry put his memories of his father and life on the road into a memoir called Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad. The 272-page memoir was released by Hachette Books, and was written with help from New York Times bestselling author David Thomas.
Though known mostly through his dad, Terry Jennings also had an accomplished career in the music industry as well, including running the Korban Music Group, which was a full service artist management and consulting company, as well as the publishing company Waylon’s Son Publishing. Jennings also spent time working for booking agencies and other publishing companies, as well as a talent scout for major labels, including RCA where his father spent the majority of his career.
Beyond his music career, Terry Jennings was a devout Christian, regularly posting positive affirmations to social media, and always giving God credit for blessing his life in music and beyond. Along with his father, other members of the Jennings family involved in the music business include Terry’s brother Shooter Jennings, who is the only child from Waylon’s marriage with Jessi Colter. Terry’s oldest son Whey Jennings is also a performer, and Terry’s son Josh has worked as a tour manager for numerous bands. Terry’s nephew BJ Jennings, or “Struggle” is a country rapper.
“So sad to see ya go, Terry. I love you,” Shooter Jennings said upon Terry’s passing. “My brother Terry turned me onto Alice Cooper, The Moody Blues, Cream, Zeppelin and more. He was that older brother who had the killer record collection and the wild streak. Having one for him today. I listened to ‘Love It To Death’ last night as I was going to sleep in Terry’s honor. Sad day.”
Terry Jennings leaves behind his wife Deb, who he married in 1987, as well as his children and extended family.
January 25, 2019 @ 7:41 pm
Terry Jennings was a regular reader of Saving Country Music, commented here multiple times, and occasionally would send me tips and observations. Really sad to hear of his passing. Never met him, but came across as the sweetest, most grateful person.
January 26, 2019 @ 5:05 pm
So Sorry for your loss I love waylon
February 2, 2019 @ 1:33 pm
Heartbreaking ???????? R.I.P. May peace and comfort be with the Jennings family. Strolling over Heaven with you’re dad!
October 3, 2021 @ 7:03 pm
The most important thing is in anyone’s life is that you live a purposeful life. He lived a full productive life. And that he did. Can’t say that for many people.
My condolences to the family.
September 28, 2022 @ 8:52 pm
You will be missed and I know you are in Heaven with your father and Buddy. You are an angel forever. May God and Jesus give your family strength
January 25, 2019 @ 7:55 pm
Sad to hear, Waylon to me will
Always be the greatest of all time and to see part of him go so relatively young is very sad. I can only imagine the father son reunion in Heaven was beyond our ability to understand with these shackles of earth still constraining us. RIP Terry Jennings!!!
January 25, 2019 @ 8:38 pm
Sad to hear, prayers to the entire Jennings family. Waylon will always be my all-time favorite artist. Terry’s memoir about him and Waylon is excellent, I read it in two days. R.I.P. Terry. There is a good concert up in heaven tonight with Ole Waymore welcoming him home!
January 25, 2019 @ 8:40 pm
Sad to hear this news. My condolences to everyone who will miss him.
Trig, do you recommend “Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad?” I could knock out a book the second half of winter.
January 25, 2019 @ 8:55 pm
I liked it. It was a good call to work with a professional writer and do it right. I’ve seen some folks say they read it and thought it didn’t really offer a lot that they didn’t already know, but that’s probably because they’re Waylon nuts already and had read so much about him before.
January 25, 2019 @ 9:22 pm
I can agree with that, the book seemed like every chapter was a new book but I loved learning a few new things about life on the road with Waylon, This is some very sad news. Rest Easy Terry.
April 7, 2022 @ 7:26 pm
Funny the article mentioned Love it to Death by Alice Cooper. I know that album like the back of my hand. RIP son.
January 27, 2019 @ 4:52 am
I have read that book myself. It is a good one and “A Lady and An Outlaw” written by Jessi. In case you haven’t read his autobiography, it’s good as as well.
January 25, 2019 @ 8:49 pm
So sad to hear…His Dad was a good friend to my Mom & Dad in the 60’s…Love this family…RIP Dear One…Dora
January 25, 2019 @ 9:37 pm
So sad. I was lucky to be friends with him on facebook and he even posted a birthday message for me last month. I truly feel I lost a close friend though we never met in real life.
It hurts 🙁
July 26, 2023 @ 5:55 pm
My condolences to you all
January 25, 2019 @ 9:38 pm
Damn I’m really starting to feel old. It’s not enough that we lost / are losing the legends…now their kids.
Seems like he had an interesting life. RIP
January 26, 2019 @ 12:26 am
R.I.P. TERRY , HEARTFELT THOUGHTS TO THE FAMILY……HE WAS MY FRIEND ON FACEBOOK….I MET WAYLON YEARS AGO…HONKEY-TONK HERO (DAYS) LOTS OF GREAT MEMORIES….
January 26, 2019 @ 3:55 am
I loved Waylon Jennings music if it was anything like his dead who is a great person Waylon was a little bit Wild but so am I I love to song Hard Headed Woman and all the others rest in peace Terry I’m sure your dad would be happy to you again
March 12, 2022 @ 7:03 am
So sad your life and all the Jennings clan are special grateful for your music R.I.P
January 26, 2019 @ 6:20 am
Damn! I never met him but always seemed like a cool guy. Rest In Peace brother.
January 26, 2019 @ 11:37 am
My condolences to the Jennings family, so sad to hear about Terry , my heart breaks for y’all. RIP Terry.
January 26, 2019 @ 11:46 am
Tales of the road was honestly my favorite waylon read. You got a different glimpse coming from his oldest boy!
January 26, 2019 @ 4:00 pm
So sorry for your loss Jennings family. I saw Waylon many times. Follow Shooter and friends with both Shooter and Whey on Facebook. Just recently learned about Struggle Jennings. I have a copy of Terry’s book. You will be missed. Especially since it is so close to the anniversary of Waylon’s death. RIP.
January 26, 2019 @ 10:38 pm
I liked Waylon’s music a lot, and was very pleased to learn that he gave his life to Jesus, through Jessi of course! I praise God that Terry served our Lord Jesus as well!!! What a wonderful reunion for the two of them, with Jesus!!!
January 27, 2019 @ 12:21 pm
So saddened to hear this. I really looked forward to Terry’s daily words of encouragement. He will be greatly missed.
Know heaven is rejoicing although we lost another beautiful voice of hope.
January 27, 2019 @ 12:22 pm
So very sorry for your loss. I loved Waylon and the complete Jennings family. My sincere condolences!!!
January 27, 2019 @ 1:44 pm
I have been so saddened by the news of Terry’s passing as he was a true gentleman and I only spoke with him a few weeks back.My sincere condolences go out to the Jennings family.Terry was a true legend just like his dad Waylon who was also a great friend and I had the greatest privilege to hang out with Waylon back in the nineties.Safe in the arms of Jesus.
January 27, 2019 @ 1:44 pm
God be with you all and RIP Terry ???? for all the family .
January 28, 2019 @ 8:46 am
I am at a loss for words, but will try! I was fortunate enough to get to be friends with Terry through a mutual friend. We spoke on the phone, and texted back and forth often. I loved hearing stories of his life, and after reading his book, we would spend time reliving those memories. Last text together was 1/5/2019 in regards to his loved Dallas Cowboys football game. I can still hear him telling me, ” we will meet sometime friend”. Heaven just gained another “legend”, tell your dad and all the GREAT ones hi from your friends here in Iowa.
Prayers to Deb and the rest of the Jennings family!
January 29, 2019 @ 10:26 am
Sad to hear, Terry answered me on the chat a couple of times, he was such a nice man. Like his dad he passed in his early 60’s. Rest In Peace Terry Jennings.
January 29, 2019 @ 12:07 pm
First so Sorry to hear this “Rest In Peace Terry” Praying for the Family….. Second was wondering if & where I could get his book? Waylon Tales of my Outlaw Dad.
January 30, 2019 @ 5:36 pm
I read his book, has some good anecdotes in it. Worth a read.
RIP to a fellow country music fan.
January 30, 2019 @ 9:44 pm
Waylon Deakon and the rest of the rowdy friends and family are there to welcome Terry in his next adventure. We will see him again. He would want us to celebrate his life here on earth. He touched many people’s lives with kindness. Shelleybean Deakon Proudfoots widow.
February 21, 2019 @ 8:47 pm
Terry thanks for being my friend and the talks . Getting a phone call from you out of your day was very kool. Ill miss you my friend. God speed and sending prayes to the family
May 23, 2019 @ 8:37 pm
I met Terry when we were at the old office @ 17th & Edgehill Avenues in Nashville. While we all were quick to praise Waylon et al, Terry was a cool friend to me, and I hope he rests well.
January 19, 2020 @ 5:11 pm
SO SAD HE WILL BE MISSED…
February 21, 2020 @ 8:52 pm
I read Terry’s book, which was one helluva read. When I heard news of his passing, I hoped I got it wrong somehow, and frantically went online. I can only be glad he is undoubtedly with his father. Earth is lonelier now.
August 27, 2024 @ 7:34 pm
I met Terry when he was 4 years old ! I was 14. His uncle James D was (is) my best friend . James D and I were together virtually every day for years . Waylon and Maxine were living at the Jennings home for awhile around 1959 , so I was around Terry also every day ! Terry’s uncle Bo was only a couple years older !. He and Bo terriorized the 6th street community where they lived ! They wore only their white underwater while they played .Terry’s Brother was a baby just learning to walk and took his first steps to me . We reacquainted ourselves after he moved to Waco . It’s been quite awhile since his death but I just now found this format . Rest In Peace Terry . I’m happy you found Jesus to be in your life !