Blame It On Willie And Waylon
Outlaw Country …
Willie and Waylon – Each and every one of us has a musical soundtrack just like a moving picture show. Music and what we listen to; in most ways define this condition we call human. Songs we listened to from our past bring forth memories of our youth. This sound track will make you smile, cry, and make your heart flutter to the beat of being young again. In my youth growing up In Colorado it was outlaw country and the kings of outlaw country were Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson. For those that may not be familiar with this brand of music it was popular in the 70’s and early 80’s and had its roots in Honky Tonk and Rockabilly with a blend of rock and folk rhythms. My music is my escape and if the music every stopped so would time itself. It would be inconceivable.
“Blame it on Willie and Waylon”
Outlaw country was the music of my wandering youth,
Willie and Waylon were my heroes – that’s the truth.
My traveling music was all the sad songs and back beat,
Nothing finer than Honky Tonk and Rockabilly – nothing that sweet.
Had KC lights and a roll bar on my “67”- F-150 Ford,
Lift kit, cassette player and more than a few dents, it was all I could afford.
Had all the cassettes of Willie, Waylon and Johnny Cash,
Lost Merle Haggard, David Allan Coe as they melted on my pickup dash.
All my friends listened to the outlaw Honky Tonk music back in the day,
Bonfires On the banks of the South Platte River we drank and sometimes it got a little risqué.
We drank Peppermint Schnapps, Coors Lite the Silver Bullet beer,
We were young, invincible with nothing at all to fear.
When the mountains called Kellie Shawn and I would head that way,
Listen to Tanya Tucker, Hank Williams Jr as we 4-wheeled to our hidden getaway.
Kellie Shawn was my girl and she set my body on fire,
With Jessi Colter, Tompall Glaser on the radio – we gave into our hearts desire.
Anything I did that I am sorry for back when I was young,
I can blame it on Willie and Waylon and the songs they sung.
As I have grown older and sometimes get down feeling life’s pain,
I plug in Willie Nelsons “Blue eyes crying in the rain.”
From time to time I think of those days and get lonesome in my soul,
Then I listen to Willie, Waylon, and down memory lane I start to stroll.
By Kurt James
Kurt James © 2017
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The Denver Post, PM Magazine, and 9NEWS, all well-known Denver, Colorado media sources, have highlighted the powerful and evocative work of poet and novelist Kurt James. Focusing on Old West history, Kurt contributes feature articles to HubPages and Creative Exiles, exploring the eerie silence of ghost towns, the thrilling tales of outlaws and gunfighters, and the evocative imagery found in the Rocky Mountains.
Kurt’s early admiration for writers such as Jack London, Louis L’Amour, and Max Brand played a significant role in honing his skills as a storyteller. Twenty-one books (and counting!) transport readers to the Colorado Rockies and the Old West through Kurt’s vivid descriptions; the feel of rough-hewn cabins, the sounds of coyotes howling under starry skies, and the smells of campfire smoke and sagebrush are all palpable.
Find Kurt James novels, short stories, reference books, and poetry—published by Midnight Wind Publishing—in print copies or digital downloads at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Goodreads, and other excellent bookstores; explore the diverse range of formats available.
Currently in production - The 10th book in his Rocky Mountain Series - Lee Moomaw Former Lawman.
Kurt is a proud member of the Western Writers of America, a group that values storytelling.
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- As the Years Roll By - November 15, 2023
Ah! I love this, Kurt. The Outlaws were my favorite listening. I have every album of Waylon & Willie, and Johnny Cash. Those were the good times. Thanks for writing this and bringing back some great memories. Great work, my friend.
Love the fact you listened to The Outlaws….. Waylons greaest hits have been with me since the 8-track day.. lol
I can definitely appreciate good music, though it is not my cup of tea, the Outlaws made a ton of hits, and it seemed that they held a special place in so many hearts. Great trip back memory lane Kurt, i really enjoyed it.
Thanks Paul for your thoughts…. I got feeling even though it is not your cup of tea that you are just like Waylon’s song “Lonesome, Ornery, and Mean”…..lol
Hope you see the humor in that Paul…lol
A well written tribute to Willy and Waylon, Kurt. I love to read of your memories from the days of your youth in your wonderful part of the world. Great job.
Always a pleasure to have you stop by John…. thank you