After giving up his seat to the Big Bopper on the “Day The Music Died” plane that took the lives of Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens, Waylon Jennings retreated to Phoenix, Arizona where he developed his unique sound and voice. That was before Waylon was discovered by Chet Atkins, where he relocated to Nashville and hit the big time with the Dukes of Hazzard theme song amongst other things. Hot on heels of last summer’s Duke boys flick, Shooter Jennings – like Roseanne Cash – is proving that country themes run in the family. Having portrayed his father in 2005’s heralded Walk the Line, Shooter has become more than just Waylon’s son. In round-about fashion, he returned to his father’s old stomping grounds of Phoenix to rock it up at Scottsdale’s Martini Ranch in preparation of his second album release, Electric Rodeo.
In a crowd that was one half county fair and equal part Lollapalooza, there was an even mix to represent the country-rock split of Shooter Jennings. Although his voice is a 7-11 of Marlboros away from Waylon’s cowboy rasp, Shooter plays the part well with his “fear and loathing” sunglasses and unkempt mane.
With a back up band that looks more L.A. than Nashville, it’s hard to take Shooter for straight up country, especially when he says, “we’re country music,” while one guitar riff teases Black Sabbath’s “Sweet Leaf,” and another purges in psychedelic excess. It’s clearly more “Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo” than “Walk The Line, “ but the outlaw touch comes through in “Southern Comfort” and “Little White Lines,” which shows the future of country rock. Shooter’s recent radio hit “4th of July” got the biggest response as the hour and fifteen minute set concluded, rounded out by the emotive ballad “My Song For You.” Although entertaining, Shooter appeared to be going through the motions on this particular Wednesday evening. Perhaps like Johnny Cash he’s just been “everywhere man.”
