Waylon the Wandering Gypsy ...and Me!

As a rule, entertainers in the music business are a pretty laid back lot. That’s not always true for their managers whether they be booking agents, general managers, promotional people, etc. As a young woman and an entertainer I didn’t have to face much stress other than getting to the gig, getting the band there and putting on a good performance. That all changed when I began managing my brother, Steven Fromholz’ career.

It was for those very reasons that I got off in a terrible storm quite early on in my music management career. It was at one of Willie Nelson’s earlier picnics and my brother was booked for the show. We’d made it a family affair and his wife and a couple of her girlfriends had come with us that morning. Steven didn’t perform until that night so we’d brought a picnic lunch and the ladies all spread out a quilt, set out our lunch and had just gotten comfortable when a great, big, fancy tour bus pulled in the area. We didn’t pay much attention to it because they’d been pulling in all day and all parked in the designated area across the road – probably three city blocks from where we were having our picnic.

This bus acted like it was heading for the designated area but instead of continuing put on the brakes and began backing up directly to the area where we were picnicking. Dirt, gravel, dust and seemed like half of Texas covered us and all our food -- so much for our picnic. The whole thing went all over me and I was instantly furious. I jumped up and started toward the bus – by the time I got there the motor was shut down and all was silent except for the generator. I banged on the door with every intention of knocking it down if someone didn’t come talk to me and someone finally did.

The door opened and this tall, sleepy-eyed, laid back looking guy asked “Can I help you ma’am?” My first question was “Is this your bus?” He admitted it was and that was definitely the wrong answer because at that point I literally unwound on him, traced his blood lines pretty far back, yelled and stomped my foot and ended with something like “…and you’re the stupidest s.o.b. I’ve run in to in a long, long time.” Having said my piece and feeling much better I stomped back and joined the ladies, we picked up our quilt – the food was ruined – and we left.

The day ambled along and it was finally night and nearly time for Steven to go onstage which meant it was time for me to do a last minute idiot check of wires, microphones, guitars, etc. and I headed for the stage to wind everything up. There were probably 15 steps leading up the left side of the stage and a landing just before you entered backstage. As I started up I saw my brother, Steven, and another guy standing on the landing visiting. I wasn’t gonna interrupt them but go on about my business when Steven stopped me. It was at that point I realized I was nearly nose-to-nose with the guy I’d called everything but a human being – the guy on the tour bus that had ruined our picnic earlier that afternoon. I immediately began to puff up again.

“Sis, I’d like you to meet Waylon Jennings – Waylon, this is my sis…” at which point Waylon interrupted him and said, “Steven, your sister and I have met,” and thank heaven he had this benevolent grin on his face. I wasn’t as embarrassed as I was stunned. I could have dangled my feet off a napkin I felt so small. Waylon went on to tell Steven we’d met earlier in the day but didn’t say a word about how I’d acted – God is good! I visited a little bit and hastily went on about my business.

Probably five years passed and we were in Nashville promoting Steven’s new record for Capitol. It just happened Willie Nelson and his wife Connie and Waylon and his wife Jesse Colter were in Nashville at the same time and somehow they crossed paths with Steven and all agreed to meet for breakfast the next morning. I did not know this!

OH, NO! SAME SONG, SECOND VERSE...

The next morning Steven called my room and said to come join him for breakfast; he was with some friends. Imagine my surprise when I went to the dining room and found that bunch all around this big, circular table. Steven knew I’d met Willie and Connie as we’d just come off a tour with them but he’d forgotten I’d met Waylon. I had never met his wife. Anyhooo….Steven begins introductions to Waylon and Jesse and before he could even get started Waylon, laughing like a loon, said “Steven, I told you before – your sister and I have met.” Steven did finish introducing me to Jesse Colter and then Waylon proceeded to tell everyone at the table about how we first met and everyone was in stitches. I admitted to the faux pas and laughed too – and was damned grateful it was a laughing occasion.

In the ensuing years I’d be in the same group as Waylon many times but always engaged in whatever business I was conducting at the time – never a social occasion. We knew each other by having – eventually – shared a good laugh because of my ignorance but as far as really knowing Waylon; I didn’t. I was, however, probably as familiar with all his music as his most ardent fan as I adored his singing style and “sound” which was so unique and different.

Years passed and Waylon suffered monumental health problems, eventually lost a leg to diabetes and died way too early for all us Waylon Jennings fans. Every now and then I get out my old records and go to “Luckenbach Texas” with him and hear about his “ Good Hearted Woman.” I’ve got a really old Lp that has Wayon’s “Green River” on it… somethin’ like…”Green River I’ve come back to you – do you remember me?” I’ll never, ever forget Waylon Jennings. He was an excellent musician and a gentleman.

THERE'S ANOTHER JENNINGS IN THE BUSINESS...

There’s a new Jennings on the horizon now – Waylon and Jesse’s son, Shooter Jennings. He’s one hell of a musician and I hope I get to meet him before I leave this old planet. He’s got some big boots to fill – just hope he’s as nice to rude, loud-mouthed women as his daddy was – yep, sure do!

AngelaBlair©2012

One of a series of articles entitled “In the Music Business You Dance Alone”