Let's return to 1974 with The Ramblin' Man vinyl record memories, along with the original LP record album purchased new nearly 50 years ago.
There are over two hundred Waylon Jennings albums available for purchase and included in that number is one of my favorites, "The Ramblin' Man."
The single from the album titled, "I'm a Ramblin' Man" was released in July 1974 and after the song hit #1 on the charts the album was released in September and peaked at #3 on the country charts.
The cover and liner photos for the album were shot at Muhlenbrink's Saloon in Nashville and I still have a removable sticker on the original album cover that indicates the album was purchased at Rinks Bargain City in Hamilton, Ohio, and the price was $4.29 when purchased new in 1974.
Jennings learned to play guitar as a child and by the age of 12, Waylon was playing in a band. He eventually dropped out of school and moved to Lubbock in 1954. He would end up at a local radio station where he met and befriended early rock and roll star Buddy Holly.
Waylon played in Buddy Holly's backup band, The Crickets, and was performing with the group on February 3, 1959, at the Surf Ballroom in Clear Lake, Iowa. After the show, Jennings was supposed to get on a private plane with Holly, however, gave up his seat on the plane to J.P. Richardson - better known as "The Big Bopper - who wasn't feeling well. Shortly after takeoff, the plane crashed, killing Holly, Richardson, singer Ritchie Valens and the pilot.
Heartbroken after the tragedy, Jennings returned to Lubbock for a time, again working as a radio disc jockey. He moved to Phoenix, Arizona, in 1960 and restarted his musical career, forming a band called the Waylors.
In 1963 Jennings landed a contract with A&M Records and moved to Los Angeles, California, where he got into a conflict with the record label over the direction of his music. They wanted him to take on more of a pop sound. Not one to be pushed around, Jennings remained committed to his country style. He made only one album for A&M and left.
In 1965 Jennings finally got the break he was looking for. He moved to Nashville where he became roommates with country music's man in black, Johnny Cash, which marked the start of a lifelong friendship. That same year Jennings had his first country hit, "Stop the World (And Let Me Off)."
By 1968, he had several successful singles, including another one of our Jennings favorites, "Only Daddy That'll Walk the Line." Jennings won his first Grammy Award in 1969 for Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for "MacArthur Park," which he recorded with the Kimberlys.
This Vinyl Record Album was released at what was considered the height of the Outlaw Movement and contained ten great songs.
Three were released as singles. "I'm a Ramblin' Man" and "Amanda" became number one hits and "Rainy Day Woman" reached #2 on the country music charts.
The most notable success was after "The Ramblin' Man" album, Waylon's next Six albums would all turn Gold with one of the albums earning Platinum status.
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Waylon Jennings Albums
I'm A Ramblin' Man (#3 album in 1974)
Song was wirtten by Ray Pennington
I've been down the Mississippi
Down through New Orleans...Yes, I have
I've played in California
There ain't too much I haven't seen
No, there ain't
Well, I'm a ramblin' man
Don't fool around with a ramblin' man
Left a girl in West Virginia
Up there where that green grass grows
Yes, I did
Another girl in Cincinnati
Waitin' where the Ohio River flows
Poor girl!
I'm a ramblin' man
Don't give your heart to a ramblin' man
You'd better move away
You're standin' too close to the flame
Once I mess with your mind
Your little heart won't beat the same
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man
Better not!
Well, up in Chicago...I was known as "Quite a Boy"
Yes, I was!
Down in Alabama...They call me "The man of joy"
Still do!
Well, I'm a ramblin' man
Don't fall in love with a ramblin' man
You'd better move away
You're standin' too close to the flame
Once I mess with your mind
Your little heart won't beat the same
Lord, I'm a ramblin' man
Don't mess around with any ol' ramblin' man
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