A brand-new Waylon Jennings single has arrived. Shooter Jennings has unveiled “The Cowboy (Small Texas Town),” a previously unheard track by his legendary father, available now via Son of Jessi/Thirty Tigers. Written by outlaw country icon Johnny Rodriguez, the song was first recorded during sessions for Jennings’ 1978 chart-topping album I’ve Always Been Crazy but remained unreleased—until now.
The track serves as the latest preview of Songbird, the first in a trilogy of never-before-heard albums from Jennings, set for release on Friday, October 3. Compiled and mixed by Shooter Jennings at Sunset Sound Studio 3 in Hollywood, Songbird draws from recordings made between 1973 and 1984, produced by Jennings and longtime drummer Richie Albright. The collection features Jennings’ famed band The Waylors alongside special guests including Tony Joe White, Ralph Mooney, and Jessi Colter.
“It’s a beautifully simple song that tells the story of an artist from humble beginnings,” says Shooter Jennings. “The second half really turns the heat up. It’s got one of my favorite lines I’ve heard in a long time… it fits more today maybe than it did when it was written.”
Songbird was first introduced earlier this summer with its title track—Jennings’ moving rendition of Fleetwood Mac’s classic—earning widespread acclaim. Pre-orders and pre-saves for the album are available now.