Shooter Jennings will perform at Ricks Caf Thursday night. The only son of Waylon Jennings and Jessie Coltier is on tour with his band, the 357s.
Promoting his new album, Put the O’ Back in Country, Jennings is making a college run before he tags with Toby Keith.
Jennings spent his first few years in his crib on a tour bus while his parents traveled with their band.
At 5 years old Jennings was already drumming and soon after, playing the piano. At 14, he started playing the guitar and later started the band, Stargunn. Now, years later, he is putting a different face on country music than it has today.
With tattoos around his arms and his ears sporting earrings including a red stud in the shape of an eagle spreading his wings into a “W,” he fits more into the rebel-like Johnny Cash persona. The earring belonged to his father.
Rick Welch, owner of Rick’s Caf, said, “We’re really lucky to have him before he goes on a high-profile tour,” He’s going to be really big really soon.
Welch has listened to Jennings’ songs on his Web site. “It’s rock and country with a blues influence,” he said. “I really like the stuff.”
One of Shooter’s representatives for his record label, Dorian Stinson, said, “Contrary to most country music today, Shooter has brought rock ‘n’ roll back to country.”
She added that most country stars tour around and play their hit singles on TV, but Shooter will play anything.
Shooter has opened up for David Alan Coe and Cross Canadian Ragweed and has also stood in for Axl Rose at a Guns ‘n’ Roses concert.
“Shooter was well received by all of his new audiences,” Stinson said.
“The David Alan Coe was the crazy pot-smoking kind, but the crowd for Cross Canadian Ragweed was a little more mellow,” she added.
She says that all types of crowds like him because he is so versatile. “His popularity will only increase,” she said.
County Music Television has picked up on his country rock sounds and is now playing some of his videos so audiences will be familiar with some of his songs before they see him.
For an entrance fee of $5 fans and new listeners can see Jennings perform at 10 p.m.