Waylon Jennings - 10 Fun Facts

Birth name mishap - Originally named Wayland, but a Baptist preacher misread it as Waylon; his mother later embraced that spelling even though Waylon himself didn’t like the name.
Peanut-field kid turned radio star – Born on a farm near Littlefield, Texas in 1937, Waylon was on the air at age 14 as a weekend DJ on KVOW, later forming a band-up called The Texas Longhorns.
Film debut – He starred in the 1966 independent film Nashville Rebel, performing songs like “Green River,” showcasing both his acting and country swagger.
Haunted boots – In 1996, Waylon claimed his boots, once owned by Hank Williams Sr., were haunted. A tree fell on his Cadillac while he wore them, but miraculously left no scratches.
Outlaw platinum pioneer – Wanted! The Outlaws, with Willie Nelson, Jessi Colter, and Tompall Glaser, was the first platinum-selling country album. Ol’ Waylon became the first solo country album to go platinum.
Sesame Street cameo – He made a cameo in Sesame Street Presents: Follow That Bird as a turkey-farm truck driver, showcasing his wide appeal.
Long-distance narrator – Jennings served as the Balladeer on The Dukes of Hazzard, performing its unmistakable theme song. He appeared on-screen only once, playing himself.
We Are the World dropout – He signed on for USA for Africa’s “We Are the World” in 1985, but left the recording when Swahili lyrics were introduced.
GED on tour bus – Near the end of his career, he earned his GED by watching televised GED coursework while touring and passed to set a positive example for his son Shooter.
Outlaw group formation – Post-recovery from cocaine addiction, Waylon formed The Highwaymen in 1985 with Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, and Willie Nelson.