Garth Brooks Addresses the Waylon Jennings Feud
The feud between country music Outlaw legend Waylon Jennings and country superstar Garth Brooks has been well-documented and talked about over the years. Though a lot of rumor and conjecture tend to cloud the conversation, we do know that Waylon’s dislike for Garth, who was coming up just as Waylon’s career was hitting a sharp decline, was very real. Whether the quote is real or not that is often attributed to Waylon about a certain type of foreplay and how Garth was the equivalent to pantyhose getting in the way of it, there was undoubtedly some animosity between the two country stars.
READ: The Waylon Jennings Quote About Garth Brooks Real or Fake?
During an appearance late last week on Broadway’s Electric Barnyard show on Country 92.5 out of Connecticut, the DJ asked Garth point blank about the feud. One of the reason’s Broadway does such good interviews is because he asks the questions many other DJ’s are too scared to ask. But as opposed to getting angry, the artists usually find the questions refreshing after being asked about the same subjects over and over that only scratch the surface. “You know your stuff, I’m enjoying this,” Garth said to Broadway.
When Broadway asked Garth if he’d ever met Waylon or talked to him about the feud, Garth responded,
No, never met Mr. Jennings. And for some reason man, I guess I was the guy that he targeted. You know, it’s kind of weird because all the people [that are the reason] why I’m in the business, those people say the reason THEY were in the business was Waylon. So everyone loves him, he’s a legend, and I just kind of let it go. I never knew what to say.
Yeah, I was definitely the guy that he targeted (laughing). And it’s funny kinda being the non traditionalist then, and now everyone looks at [me] like, ‘Your stuff is as country as it gets.’ So that’s kind of a weird view. It was tough for me because he was a country legend and for some reason I was the guy that got the brunt of it. I never took it that personal. I just think he was addressing the different sound in country music and the changing of the guard. That’s tough for anybody to handle. The guy’s a legend and deserves nothing but respect.
The artists Garth appears to be referring to as the people who were inspired by Waylon that went on to inspire him would likely be big Garth influences Keith Whitley and Chris LeDoux.
Garth also talked about how his new single is going to be “Mom,” which he calls more traditional than some of the other singles he could pick from his new album. He also talked about up-and-coming performer/songwriter Caitlyn Smith who wrote one of the most critically-acclaimed songs on Garth’s new record, “Tacoma.”
“She’s the bomb. The thing that hurts her in town is that nobody can sing as good as she can. So it’s like, you hear her demos and you want your record to sound like that. But good luck. That girl’s talented.”
The Garth vs. Waylon debate is an ongoing one, and one of those country music discussions people love to take sides on. It will probably continue on as long as both men’s music does, but according to Garth, the feud was one sided. And then there’s the quotes from Waylon’s autobiography:
Of course, the next generation better not believe everything they hear. At this point, I’ve been accused of all manner of carousing. Mostly, it’s something that I might have done, or would have done, or couldn’t even imagine doing. Pretty soon it’s etched into stone. If I led the life that people think I did, I’d be a hundred and fifty years old and weigh about forty pounds ”¦
The thing is, we’re in this together, the old, the new, the one-hit wonders and the lifetime achievers, the writers and the session pickers and the guy who sells the T-shirts. The folks that come to the shows, and the ones that stay at home and watch it on TNN. Those who remember Hank Williams, and those who came on board about the time of Mark Chestnut, who named his baby boy after me ”¦
My friends. This town is big enough for the all of us.
Waylon Jennings
November 24, 2014 @ 11:55 am
Whether I may like it or not, this Waylon vs Garth thing is gonna divide all of the fans I’ve been victims to such arguments prior to me declaring my alliance with you Trig.
I do know one thing, if Waylon were around right now, he would show nobody any mercy on the state of Country music but he sure as hell would’ve given enthusiastic praise to Jason Isbell and Wade Bowen
November 24, 2014 @ 12:16 pm
if Waylon were alive today, I think he would end the feud with Garth and focus more on the crap in the mainstream. Yes he would praise Jason Isbell and Wade Brown as well as Sturgill Sinpson and many more.
November 24, 2014 @ 3:03 pm
Taking “Highwayman’s” theme of reincarnation seriously, I like to think that Waylon is still around. Maybe that cantankerous spirit splintered off into some of us.
November 24, 2014 @ 12:17 pm
I like the quote where he said Garth sounded like Mr. Haney from “Green Acres” myself, although there is some question whether he was actually talking specifically about Garth or modern country singers in general.
I’m probably not going to win the “Garth Fan of the Year” award any time soon, but I’ve always thought that he handled Waylon’s comments in the best way possible by simply not responding.
November 24, 2014 @ 12:23 pm
Waylon didn’t like Garth, but he liked the Old 97’s. That tells you right there how cool he was.
November 24, 2014 @ 1:07 pm
like him or not. Garth respects the ones that came before him. and to me, thats what sets him apart from the rest of the new popcountry crowd. he aint scared to throw one or two trqaditional songs on an album…or a western\cowboy song.
November 24, 2014 @ 1:47 pm
Waylon’s personality has always been a slight detractor for me. He comes across as a self-entitled artist at several points in stories I hear about him. The fact that his career was on the downhill slide as Garth’s was going up is support for my theory. It must have baffled Waylon that he could hit the dregs while someone with such prominent pop and rock influences like Garth could hit it bigger than anyone ever had in country music.
November 25, 2014 @ 10:25 pm
I met Waylon several times and we chatted about Garth. His problem with Garth had nothing to do with his “poppyness” as much as the fact as he felt Garth would sing anyway or anything that he believed would sell. Rather than having passion for the music he felt Garth had passion for the money and attention.
As far as Garth hitting it bigger than anyone that’s undeniable, however comparatively NO ONE hit it bigger than Waylon. REMEMBER the FIRST 3 albums to go platinum had Waylon’s name on them. Also he had enough presence in the industry to DEMAND to produce his own records and use his own musicians. He was so powerful that he was the first Nashville artist to be given these very important artistic rights.
Garth was a phenomenal performer. Waylon was a phenomenal ARTIST.
Bob Ross was a great performer. Picasso was a great ARTIST
November 26, 2014 @ 7:19 am
Very well said Wade!
November 26, 2014 @ 1:48 pm
Loves me some happy trees!!
November 26, 2014 @ 3:30 pm
LMAO. It’s never a good idea to speak for other people Wade.
August 2, 2022 @ 8:07 am
Yeah, it wasn’t like Garth starred in a TV series or anything.
Oh wait. Waylon liked money and attention too. It is OK to admit it. He is still a great singer and legend.
November 24, 2014 @ 1:55 pm
I never met Mr. Jennings? In 1991, I was playing for Carlene Carter at the old Desert Inn Casino in Las Vegas. We were opening for Garth, it was his first time to play Vegas. The Highwaymen were playing down the street and one night before the show, Johnny, June and Waylon showed up and were hanging out in our dressing room when I got there. I remember Garth coming in and shaking all of their hands and saying hello. I was there and saw it with my own eyes it but clearly must have a faulty memory.
November 24, 2014 @ 2:38 pm
Garth probably thought he was Willie Nelson.
January 6, 2020 @ 2:50 pm
Garth mistook Joe Walsh for a guitar tech. Garth is a mile wide and an inch deep.
November 24, 2014 @ 2:13 pm
If Garth and Chris Gains had a fight…who would have won..? Waylon Jennigs would have won!! Surely Florida Georgia Line met Chris Gains and formed there look after him.
November 24, 2014 @ 3:02 pm
Well, Chris Gaines is Australian, right? He’s probably got a knife on him like Crocodile Dundee. Heck, the only reason Keith Urban is on the charts is because people are afraid of a knifin’.
November 16, 2020 @ 5:44 pm
You say that about Keith.. Is he supposed to be a bad guy.? I’ve never heard that before.B
November 24, 2014 @ 4:12 pm
Garth seems like such a nice humble guy. Another singer would have held remorseful feelings against Waylon.
I still don’t understand the people who want to label him as a greedy guy simply because he cares about the industry.
November 24, 2014 @ 8:48 pm
Waylon seemed to get bitter in the latter part of his life. I suspect it’s because his career had crashed and also, he was in a lot of pain from his physical maladies.
It’s weird–Waylon made some great albums in the ’90s. Unlike with Cash’s Rick Rubin-produced albums in that era, Waylon was writing a lot of new original material for his albums. But those albums made no impact. Cash became bigger just before and after death than he was in life, but Waylon had no such resurgence. Waylon would not even show up for his H-o-F induction.
Waylon did a great album in 1996 called “Right for the Time.” The final song, called “Living Legends, Part 2” is about the country artists of the time. In it, he praises Travis Tritt and rips Billy Ray Cyrus. There’s also a line where he says “I ain’t bitter.”
When they reissued the Highwaymen “Road Goes On Forever” CD, they included a bunch of behind the scenes material, including one where Waylon is doing that song that became “Living Legends, Part 2” backstage in front of Kris Kristofferson. When Waylon says the line “I ain’t bitter,” Kristofferson gives a horselaugh–like they all knew how bitter he was.
If anyone could provide insight into all this, it would be Shooter–if he ever decides to open up about that.
November 25, 2014 @ 6:58 am
Career crashed? Hoss, I saw him on his last tour. He drew more folks than half the acts of today. The only thing that crashed was his health. If I said something that stupid I’d ask myself to go outside and I would kick my own ass for me.
November 25, 2014 @ 8:14 am
Mr. Van Smack,
That was my first thought on this article, too. Waylon’s career didn’t hit a down turn; his health went to hell and he couldn’t keep up with the rigors of constant touring and spending weeks in the studio. But, he soldiered on, still released a few things, and still did come live dates… Like Hayes Carll said: “this line of work no one retires…”
November 25, 2014 @ 8:47 am
So luckyoldson is enough of a Waylon fan to know his ’90’s albums, but you have to give grief because you don’t like the use of the word “crashed?” Nice work.
November 25, 2014 @ 11:04 am
Thanks JW–
Maybe it was the wrong word.
I thought Waylon was more creative in the ’90s than Cash and Willie were and his albums from that era are more listenable.
But for whatever reason, the market just went bad for him. And I noted, that the physical pain that he was in must have been a big factor in his crankiness.I remember that in his last year or two, he was in a wheelchair.
I read somewhere that Waylon had a falling-out with Willie. I don’t know about it, but it struck me that when Waylon died, Willie was extremely reticent in terms of honoring him. I’m sure that the writers for the major newspapers who covered Waylon’s death must have reached out to Willie for comment, but there was hardly anything. And he didn’t participate in a big way in any Waylon tributes.
November 26, 2014 @ 7:43 am
I see a large amount of hypothetical here and a colorful filling in of the blanks…. I guess I didn’t see the crankiness you speak of. I have been a Waylon fan since I could turn on a record player. I watched his career as close as anyone could with the technology of the time. reflecting on the last concert I was privileged to see, and with hindsight as 20/20 I saw someone coming to grips with his mortality and someone not willing to mince his words on any topic, especially the direction of the music industry. IMO GB was the turning point for the worse, started the downward spiral of country music. In fact friends in low places is where I say it turned south. If you can find that article about the falling out with WN I’d sure like to read it. I cant find it. they made the clean shirt album in those latter years, the rerelease of the outlaws also has a collaboration. it must have been at the very end if it happened. He mentions Willie in his autobiography stating they may have disagreements but always found a way to get past them…. and as far as not showing up for the HoF induction, he was just keeping a promise he made years before.
November 26, 2014 @ 4:41 pm
WVS–
If you google Jennings “Willie Nelson Estrangement,” you come up with a few discussions on it, though there’s no hard source.
I also saw it noted that Willie did not go to Waylon’s funeral.
February 15, 2022 @ 1:13 am
I know it’s 7 years late but I also want to know about Willie and Waylon hypothetical estrangement. And whenever someone asks Willie about Waylon, he says the best. He always says that they were the best of friends and they always fought but always found a way to get past it. Like an old-married couple (the way Willie said this to Larry King). Willie always mentions Waylon to his concerts, he always does “Good Hearted Woman” and “Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies” and says he does these for Waylon. He, also, led the all-star tribute for Waylon a few years ago. I actually think that Willie Nelson was just very sad to go to Waylon’s funeral or tributes.
January 31, 2019 @ 12:55 am
Waylon always referred to “Bucking the System”. The Term Outlaws came from “Bucking the System”. The System of the Nashville Sound. Do it our way, we’ll put in our Studio Musicians,keep your Band members off the Record,and look a certain way. It bothered him the way the H of F, waited to Elect Roger Miller and Webb Pierce after they were dead. And his dislike for the way the CMA’s wouldn’t allow David Allen Coe do the song he written about Hank Williams “The Ride” in a Tribute Segment to Hank,because of the way David Allen Coe was. Instead, John Anderson stepped into perform it. Waylon always described all of this as Politics,and didn’t want any part of it. Of course, to Waylon- It’s my way,or I’m not doing it. And that today is called “Stand Your Ground”.
November 25, 2014 @ 3:38 am
Garth seriously needs to just shut up. I’m sick of hearing about this fool. He’s only opening his mouth to gain more attention.
March 18, 2020 @ 8:09 am
Garth is a Good man. Great performer and he has deservedly accomplished alot. Go Garth.. I am a huge Garth fan . I am also a huge fan Of Waylon. If You love country at all , how can You not love the voice of Waylon. There is room for both. Country is about family. And Hart is 1 of the greatest performers ever.. He obviously loves n appreciates each n every fan and it shows.. Even elvis once said ..there’s room for us all. Country is about family n God n America.. Country performers are all family , old legends n new .lets just embrace all the legends . and change is good. Go Garth brooks and Thank you for everything you do. And Waylon..you will always be a legend.and Garth is a legend to. He’s helped country n stood by it always. So stand by him. I love them both n that’s country. Besides you can only please some people. You can’t please all. But Garth brooks leaves it all out on that stage for each n every fan .. God bless !!! Garth Brooks..I love this man..
November 25, 2014 @ 11:31 am
Waylon did cover MacArthur Park and Suspicious Minds (among other pop songs), so it’s not like he never did anything outside straight country . . . .
November 25, 2014 @ 11:39 am
Waylon also covered “Love of the Common People” and the Beatles “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away.” His version of “Love of the Common People” is really good:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nGAsQhWT0HM
November 25, 2014 @ 4:06 pm
His version of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright” is my favorite.
November 25, 2014 @ 6:50 pm
I’m not a big Garth fan, but I have to say that he handled himself with class during that interview. I had respect for him previously, but he has my complete respect now. He could’ve easily made disparaging remarks about Waylon but he didn’t. God Bless him and Trisha!
November 26, 2014 @ 8:51 am
“He could”™ve easily made disparaging remarks about Waylon but he didn”™t.”
I disagree. He couldn’t have made disparaging remarks about Waylon without turning off a huge number of fans and slapping the face of the man who paved the way for him to have the creative control he enjoys today. It would have been a poor move – perhaps almost suicidal – for someone trying to maintain relevance after a long absence.
November 26, 2014 @ 4:59 pm
If there’s one thing Garth knows, it’s marketing. He knows how to portray himself as the good guy, the humble, aw-shucks billionaire. He always comes off as phony, contrived and focus-grouped.
I can’t believe that we’ve reached such a low point in mainstream Country that we’re looking to Garth for a more “traditional” approach.
November 26, 2014 @ 12:08 pm
Wasn’t really a feud as it wasn’t returned. More of a personal opinion.
November 26, 2014 @ 12:50 pm
I know Waylon was a loving and kind-hearted person who cared about other people even those he never met. That I know is absolute fact.
I don’t know what the deal was or even if there really was one with Garth. But ya know I absolutely detested the bubble-gum music of Taylor Swift although I seriously respected her songwriting abilties from the get-go and wow at such a young age. It actually wasn’t her music that offended me so much as it was I thought the country label was being used as a launching pad because she would fit anywhere else. But in hindsight I’ve learned she has a big ol sweet heart for her fans, she loves music (many kinds) and she has been a respectable example for the young girls that follow her. Where I used to cringe when she came on, now I don’t refuse to listen, because of her character as a person overshadows faults I found in her song delivery. She’s courageous and has taken more kicks in the gut than any kid deserves, yet she comes back doing her thing. Gotta respect the hell out of that.
So my point is sometimes as we learn about the real people behind the songs we may change our minds about their music positively or negatively. What we judge with our ears or mind we may later judge with our hearts. We tend to strictly box artists into labels of country/pop/outlaw/rock when music was never intended to be boxed in because it is as different as the people who write and sing it.
November 29, 2014 @ 7:28 am
People do change their minds based on commercial success. People are sheeple that tend to follow the herd.
If commercial success isn’t part of the equation, few pay any attention….
Follow the money, that’s where you’ll find the herd. They’ll believe that up is down and mediocre, average, middle-of-the road is great. They can be convinced to change their minds based on the general consensus.
That’s nothing new under the sun. Sheeple are easily led…since the beginning of time.
December 1, 2014 @ 6:18 am
I consider myself to be one of the worlds biggest Keith Whitley fans, and I have never once heard Keith refer to Waylon as an influence, let alone one of the reasons he got into the business. Keith went on record many times stating his influences were Lefty Frizzell, George Jones and Hank Williams.
January 31, 2019 @ 1:07 am
I remember in the Fall of 1990, on a Sunday night,there use to be a Show on Mainstream Country Radio (Nationwide Broadcast) every Sunday Night where they would interview a Country Singer and play their songs. Ralph Mooney had retired earlier from Waylon,and he mentioned that. Waylon was talking about him and Jessie going to someone’s house party and Mike Tyson was there. When asked about Tyson,Waylon said he liked him,but Tyson reminded him of a cross between a Pitbull,and a little boy. Funny.
January 31, 2019 @ 1:31 am
Googled Jennings “Willie Nelson Estrangement”. Never brought anything up. I heard-read after Waylon died, that Jessie didn’t want Willie coming around Waylon before he died,nor to the Funeral. We may never know why,or the truth.
April 4, 2020 @ 7:39 pm
How sad for Garth. A young guy coming up in the business, surely looks up to Waylon, and the guy has a resentment towards you for nothing you’ve done. That would be Waylon’s alcoholic personality. As a recovering alcie, I can say that we are the kings and queens of resentment. Garth was probably a threat… just by being new and good. Pretty sad for Garth. Too bad Waylon didn’t realize that he was so good, he didn’t need to worry. I can understand it, though. Show business is cruel and doesn’t like age. We all have experienced someone new coming in and the feeling of being threatened. Actually, neither can be blamed, I guess. But, what a tough pill for Garth to have to swallow, he seems like such a nice guy.
February 18, 2021 @ 4:30 am
Honky Tonk Heroes made me a musician. I used to stare at that album cover, knowing I was gonna be a drummer and a bass player. I still have it, but now it is signed by Billy Joe Shaver. One of the coolest dudes I’ve ever met (twice). My Dad passed a few years ago, and before we put him in hospice, he said to me… “I hope I see your Mom and Waylon up there….”
There’s real country ( which is long gone in my opinion), and business country. Which I think holds true for all of music… and I’m sad about it.
Peace y’all!
January 18, 2024 @ 2:31 am
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