Shooter Jennings and Jessi Colter Reveal Never-Before-Heard Songs Written by Waylon Jennings on His Deathbed

More than two decades after the passing of outlaw country legend Waylon Jennings, a new and deeply personal chapter of his legacy is about to be unveiled. His son, Shooter Jennings, and wife, Jessi Colter, have come forward with a heartfelt revelation: Waylon wrote a series of never-before-heard songs during his final days, while confined to his hospital bed.

These songs, kept private until now, offer a raw and emotional glimpse into the mind of a man who helped redefine country music—this time, not with rebellion or bravado, but with reflection, love, and vulnerability.

Songs Born in Silence and Pain

According to Shooter, the final months of Waylon’s life were difficult. Battling diabetes and a host of related complications, the once fiercely independent musician found himself limited physically—but not creatively. Though his body was failing, his spirit and songwriting never stopped.

“He couldn’t play like he used to, and he couldn’t get up and perform,” Shooter said in a recent interview. “But the melodies and the words—they were still coming to him. Even in pain, he had something to say.”

Jessi Colter, who remained by his side throughout those final days, recalls watching him scribble down lyrics and hum melodies from his hospital bed. “It wasn’t about making another hit,” she said. “It was about getting his truth out—saying goodbye in the only way he truly knew how.”

A Different Side of Waylon

While fans have long celebrated Waylon’s outlaw image and gritty, no-nonsense songwriting, these unreleased tracks reveal a softer, more introspective side of the legend. According to Shooter and Jessi, the lyrics touch on mortality, regrets, love, and faith—subjects Waylon rarely explored so openly during his earlier years.

“There’s a song he wrote about his mother,” Jessi shared, “that brought me to tears. It was simple, honest, and full of the kind of love he didn’t always know how to express out loud.”

Another song reportedly explores his relationship with Jessi herself—a thank-you letter in melody, expressing the gratitude he may have struggled to fully voice during his lifetime.

Preserving the Legacy with Care

Shooter Jennings, now an acclaimed artist and producer in his own right, says he’s working to bring these songs to life exactly the way his father would’ve wanted.

“We’re not rushing this,” Shooter emphasized. “These aren’t just old tapes or rough demos. These are Dad’s final words in music. They deserve to be treated with the same respect as everything else he ever gave to the world—if not more.”

Shooter is working with trusted musicians and producers who understand Waylon’s style and spirit. The goal is to release the songs as part of a special tribute album, one that allows fans to hear the man behind the myth, stripped of stage lights and amplified sound.

A Gift for the Fans—and for the Family

For Jessi Colter, who shared decades of music and life with Waylon, this project is about closure—and legacy. “These songs are a part of him the world hasn’t heard yet,” she said. “They show the depth of who he was—not just as a musician, but as a man, a husband, a father. We wanted to share that with the world, because it’s too beautiful not to.”

She adds that going through the lyrics and recordings has been both emotional and healing. “There were moments I had to stop and just cry. But there were also moments that made me smile, remembering the man I knew behind all the fame.”

Coming Soon: The Final Chapter

Though no official release date has been announced, fans can expect a carefully curated collection of Waylon’s final songs in the near future. The album will likely include personal liner notes from Shooter and Jessi, along with archival photos and memories from the Jennings family.

In a world that often moves too fast to honor the past, Shooter and Jessi are making sure that Waylon’s last songs don’t go unheard—and that the man behind the legend gets the final word, just the way he would have wanted: through music.