Waylon Jennings' 7 Children: Where Are The Outlaw Country Descendants Today?

The towering legacy of Waylon Jennings, the undisputed "Outlaw" of country music, extends far beyond his iconic songs like "Good Ol' Boys" and "Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys." As of December 14, 2025, the focus remains on his complicated and expansive family tree, which includes seven children born across his four marriages. The lives of his offspring—some tragically cut short, others carrying the torch of his musical rebellion—offer a compelling look into the private world of a country legend.

The most current and exciting news comes from his youngest son, Shooter Jennings, who is actively ensuring his father's voice is still heard, working on a series of posthumous album releases. This enduring connection to the music industry proves that the Jennings outlaw spirit is very much alive, with the children finding their own ways to honor a complex and beloved father.

Waylon Jennings: A Complete Biographical Profile

Waylon Arnold Jennings was one of the most influential figures in American country music, pioneering the "Outlaw Country" movement that rejected the polished Nashville sound of the 1960s and 70s.

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• Full Name: Waylon Arnold Jennings
• Born: June 15, 1937, in Littlefield, Texas
• Died: February 13, 2002, in Chandler, Arizona (Age 64)
• Cause of Death: Complications from diabetes.
• Career Highlights: Co-founder of the Outlaw Country movement; part of the supergroup The Highwaymen with Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash, and Kris Kristofferson; recorded country music's first platinum album, Wanted! The Outlaws (1976).
• Wives: Waylon Jennings was married four times.
  • Maxine Lawrence (m. 1955; div. 1962)
  • Lynne Jones (m. 1962; div. 1967)
  • Barbara Elizabeth Rood (m. 1967; div. 1968)
  • Jessi Colter (m. 1969; remained married until his death in 2002)
• Total Children: Seven (biological and adopted) across his marriages.

The Four Children from Waylon's First Marriage: The Private Lives

Waylon Jennings' first marriage to Maxine Lawrence (Maxine Caroll Jennings) was his longest before Jessi Colter, lasting from 1955 to 1962. This union produced four of his children, whose lives have been largely kept private, and sadly, three of whom have passed away.

1. Terry Vance Jennings (1957–2019)

Terry Vance Jennings was the eldest son of Waylon, born in 1957. He was deeply involved in the music business, not as a performer, but behind the scenes. Terry worked for his father for 10 years as a roadie, stage manager, and personal assistant, giving him an intimate view of the Outlaw Country movement.

He later became a music manager, publisher, and talent scout. In 2016, Terry published a memoir, Waylon: Tales of My Outlaw Dad, which provided a candid look at his life with his famous father. Terry Jennings sadly passed away in January 2019 at the age of 62.

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2. Julie Rae Jennings-Burdette (1958–2014)

Julie Rae Jennings was born in 1958 and was also a child from Waylon's marriage to Maxine Lawrence. Like her brother Terry, Julie worked in the music industry, spending time working for her father's business in her early career. She lived a relatively private life outside of her father's fame. Julie Rae Jennings-Burdette passed away in October 2014 at the age of 56.

3. Deana Carol Jennings (1964–2015)

Deana Carol Jennings was the youngest daughter from Waylon's first marriage. She maintained a very private life away from the spotlight of the country music world. Deana passed away in March 2015.

4. Buddy Jennings (or Private Child)

Sources often list a fourth child from the first marriage, sometimes referred to as Buddy Jennings, or simply as a "Private" child. The exact number and names of the children from Waylon’s first marriage are often reported differently, reflecting the private nature of his early family life before he became a major star.

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The Adopted Daughter and the Reigning Outlaw

The children from Waylon's second and fourth marriages represent two distinct chapters in his life: a brief adoption during a short marriage and the birth of his youngest son, who is now the primary keeper of the Jennings musical flame.

5. Tomi Lynne Jennings (Adopted)

Waylon Jennings married Lynne Jones in 1962, and during their five-year marriage, they adopted a daughter named Tomi Lynne. Tomi Lynne has remained largely out of the public eye, maintaining the private life that many children of celebrities prefer.

6. Jenni Eddy Jennings (Waylon's Stepdaughter)

Some comprehensive lists of Waylon’s children include Jenni Eddy Jennings, who is the daughter of Waylon’s third wife, Barbara Elizabeth Rood, from a previous relationship. While not biologically his child, Waylon was involved in raising her during his marriage to Rood. Jenni has been noted for musical collaborations, keeping a connection to the family's artistic roots.

7. Waylon Albright “Shooter” Jennings (Born 1979)

Shooter Jennings is the only child from Waylon's final and most famous marriage to fellow Outlaw Country icon Jessi Colter. Born in 1979, he is the youngest of the Jennings children.

Shooter has most actively embraced and continued his father's musical legacy. He is a successful musician, songwriter, and record producer in his own right, spanning genres from country and rock to electronic music.

Shooter Jennings: Carrying the Outlaw Torch in 2025

The most significant and current development in the Jennings family legacy revolves entirely around Shooter Jennings. He has taken on the monumental task of curating and releasing his father's unfinished and unreleased music, a project that is generating significant buzz in the country music world as of late 2025.

• The Posthumous Albums: Shooter is producing a series of three posthumous Waylon Jennings albums, the first of which is titled Songbird.
• The Discovery: The project stems from the discovery of lost tapes and recordings, which Shooter is meticulously crafting into finished albums.
• A New Generation: Shooter’s efforts are introducing a fresh perspective on Waylon's work to a new generation of listeners, ensuring the Outlaw Country legend remains relevant decades after his passing.

Shooter Jennings’ dedication is a powerful testament to the bond he shared with his father, and it serves as the most tangible continuation of the Jennings name in the current music landscape. His work, alongside the memories and private lives of his siblings—Terry, Julie, Deana, Tomi Lynne, Buddy, and Jenni—forms the complete, complex picture of the Waylon Jennings family legacy.