Description
Tommy Townsend says, “I remember being 13 and standing around at a Waylon Jennings concert at Lanier Land Music Park with my parents. My dad, who can talk to anyone, struck up a conversation with one of the Hell’s Angels, who was doing security. The next thing I knew, the guy said, ‘Well Waylon likes kids,’ and I was on my way backstage to meet him.” Thus began a lifelong friendship that would lead Tommy Townsend into the studios and learn from his ultimate music mentor, Waylon Jennings. Tommy was born in rural Blairsville, GA, and like most southern boys, Tommy was taught time-honored values of hard work, love of God, of family, country, and country music. Waylon continued to be a pivotal force in Townsend’s life, and the two would collaborate several times over the years, with Waylon playing on some tracks and singing harmony. But, when it came to the business of music, ole Waylon stayed clear saying, “Tommy, I don’t want to take our project to the labels myself, because if they found something wrong with it, it would make me mad, I’d piss them off and ruin your career.” So, the project that was recorded in the late 80’s and 90’s that Waylon produced and wrote songs for Tommy on was shelved for over 25 years, until now. 2022 sees the deliverance of Southern Man, this never before released collection of country originals with Waylon-influenced vocals, writing, and production.