Shooter Jennings is no stranger to Kentucky. In fact, he is an advocate for some of Kentucky’s local singers, including Lexington’s Fifth on the Floor. He has had several projects over the last few years, but lately he has made a bold statement with his song “Outlaw You.”

In this modern day country music business, it seems like singers want to get some “extra cred” of their background. They want to proclaim themselves as an outlaw, even name their albums with the use of the name Outlaw. However, in reality, the only true outlaws in the country music world would be Waylon Jennings, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Merle Haggard, and Kris Kristofferson. They stood their ground and did the music they believed in. What is even more interesting, they didn’t like to be branded as an outlaw.

On the female side of matters, you could perhaps add Tammy Wynette, Loretta Lynn, Patsy Cline, and Dolly Parton for standing up in a man’s world and singing songs that the woman was truly feeling. They wrote and sang songs that spoke out on matters that women were going through back in the day and even now.

If there is anyone to speak out against the new “faux” outlaws, it would be Shooter Jennings, son of legendary Waylon Jennings. He’s been up against the wall with his own blend of country and rock music. In fact, for most, he isn’t relavent until the 4th of July as his tune of the same name is played as part of the selective patriotic tunes of the day. He’s been an innovator and an advocate of promoting the music that the corporate hands would not dare touch. It isn’t bad music – it is honest music with soul.

With Shooter Jennings “Outlaw You,” he calls out what is heard constantly through the airwaves and what has become cliche’ in songs. Look at the number of songs you hear namedropping Waylon, Cash, Hank to get that “I’m a country singer” cred. How many times can you describe the dirt road, being a redneck, drinking up, being tough, and you are country because you think you are. It isn’t hard to recognize who he is pointing a finger to in the song, and even in the video with blurred images of certain singers.

The song itself is strong in its message and Jennings vocals sing from the heart to make you know it is what he truly believes in. It is about time someone stands up to what we are hearing. In the words of Waylon Jennings – “Don’t you think this outlaw bit has done got out of hand?”

For more information on Shooter Jennings, check out his website www.shooterjennings.com and be sure to download “Outlaw You” via I-tunes.

Outlaw You Lyrics – by Shooter Jennings

I get home from a long day

Put on the radio

Looking for some country soul

I don’t find it no

It’s a dirt road free for all

Some homeboy saying they’re outlaw

They dress the part and they talk the talk

You know they’ve been told to walk the walk

These boys think they’re tough

But they ain’t robbing banks

Cause they name drop Johnny Cash

And they name drop poor ole Hank

Hey pretty boy in the baseball hat

Couldn’t hit country with a baseball bat

Country ain’t just about where you’re at

It’s about being true of what’s inside of you

You say you’re an outlaw with your perfect boots

That you got from your record label’s image group

Singing another man’s songs with a big drum loop

Listen son, you ain’t got a clue

Can’t buy true

I tell you what they should do

They should outlaw you

Let me paint a picture for you

Nashville in ’62

Formula ain’t proven true

They didn’t let nothing new through

When Waylon came to town

They didn’t like his original sound

Tried hard to keep him down

Tried hard to starve him out

He kept playing shows, pressing on

Chipping away song by song

After years and years of struggling strong

Got his chance and he took it to number 1

But this time it’s ’74

With his band in the back

And four in the floor

That one record busted down the door

And the record labels have control no more

Then in ’76 with the Outlaws record

Sold the first million in country music ever

Those ole boys with long haired and braids

Stayed truth to the south and freed the slaves

Along come years later

Seems like got back their grip

Took the outlaw concept

And they repackaged it

And there’s a million ole Waylon fans

Singing don’t ya’ll think this outlaw bit

Has gotten way out of hand

Hey pretty boy in your cowboy hat

Couldn’t hit country with a baseball bat

Country ain’t just about where you’re at

It’s about being true of what’s inside of you

You say you’re an outlaw with your perfect boots

That you got from your record label image group

Singing another man’s songs with a big drum loop

Listen son, you ain’t got a clue

Can’t buy true

I tell you what they should do

They should outlaw you

They should outlaw you

Hey pretty boy in the baseball hat

Couldn’t hit country with a baseball bat

Country ain’t just about where you’re at

It’s about being true of what’s inside of you

You say you’re an outlaw with your perfect boots

That you got from your record label image group

Singing another man’s songs with a big drum loop

Listen man, you ain’t got a clue

Can’t buy true

I tell you what they should do