Country music legends Waylon Jennings and George Strait can both count September 28th as an important date in their musical careers.
Forty-one years ago today was a monumental day for iconic outlaw country artist, Waylon Jennings. It was on this day that his memorable song “I’m a Ramblin’ Man,” off of his The Ramblin’ Man album, burned up the charts. The track, Jennings’ second career No. 1 hit, was penned and first recorded by Kentucky native Ray Pennington, but it was the talented Texan with an authentic country voice who made it a true American theme song.
I’ve been down to 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
Lord, I’m a ramblin’ man
Don’t fool around with a ramblin’ man.
With strong lyrics like those above, The Ramblin’ Man album painted a vivid outlaw country image and embodied Waylon Jennings‘ unique musical perspective. The LP was a major success and peaked at No. 3 on the country charts, which made it Jennings’ best showing since 1967’s Love of the Common People.
Though we lost him in 2002, Jennings’ musical influence is still very much alive and evident in the music of Hank Williams Jr., The Marshall Tucker Band, Travis Tritt, Steve Earle, Jamey Johnson, John Anderson, Shooter Jennings, and Hank Williams III.
It’s interesting to note that on the same date thirty-one years ago, George Strait dropped his Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind record. This standout became the country superstar’s second chart-topping album and produced a whopping three Top 10 singles. Does Fort Worth Ever Cross Your Mind scored King George his very first CMA Award for “Album of the Year” and also gave the crooner two ACM Awards for “Album of the Year,” as the artist and producer.
September 28th has certainly been good to country music!
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