Legendary Waylon Jennings “The Outlaw Performance” to be Reissued

Any hardcore Waylon Jennings fan worth their salt knows all about what’s been affectionately coined over the years as “The Outlaw Performance” where Waylon Jennings held court at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville on August 12th, 1978. Featuring one the most legendary lineups of his backing band including Ralph Mooney on steel guitar, and a big flashing Waylon Flying “W” as a backdrop, it’s arguably one of the best performances Waylon ever gave, with multiple cameras and high-quality audio equipment there to capture it all.

Snippets from the concert can be found on YouTube and such, and many enterprising Waylon fans have turned the concert into an audio bootleg over the years, which for what it’s worth, is probably the best live record from Waylon you can get your hands on, even without any video. A version of the concert was released on CD in Europe in 2015, and was taken from the WSM live broadcast that accompanied the performance.

Getting your own copy of “The Outlaw Performance” will become a lot easier on May 15th when the entire set will once again officially see the light of day via Eagle Rock Entertainment. Comprised of 16 songs, including many of Waylon’s signature hits, it captures the country music Outlaw at the height of his powers.

The DVD and digital release will include the entire concert, as opposed to some previous releases that only included excerpts of certain moments. It also includes a “Friends Remember The Outlaw” segment, featuring 1990 interviews with George Jones, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, and Waylon’s longtime drummer, Richie Albright about the importance and legacy of Waylon.

“The Lost Outlaw Performance” was released previously in 1994 on VHS, with copies now considered collectibles on sale for $80.00+. The segment has also been shown in part upon occasion as part of local PBS station donation drives, and has turned up in other places.

If you want a DVD itself, it will be $12.69, and is now available for pre-order. Digital options are also said to become available on May 15th.

Track Listing:
Are You Ready For The Country?
Lonesome, On’ry and Mean
Waymore’s Blues
Amanda
A Long Time Ago
Jack A Diamonds
Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down
This Time
You Asked Me To
I’ve Always Been Crazy
Don’t You Think This Outlaw Bit’s Done Got Out Of Hand
Good Hearted Woman
Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys
Luckenbach, Texas
Honky Tonk Heroes
Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way

© 2023 Saving Country Music