Late last month, country music star Whey Jennings (who is part of the famed and beloved Jennings clan that includes Waylon, Shooter, and Struggle Jennings) released his debut album, Jekyll & Hyde to the masses. His third studio recording behind his 2020 and 2022 EPs Gypsy Soul and If It Wasn’t For The Sinnin’, this first full-length outing does well to help Whey continue to make his own mark as a member of the legendary Jennings family. Jennings was nice enough Tuesday, to sit down with Mayhem Rockstar Magazine about his new album, how it ties into his own life, combatting drug addiction, and the state of music today. Throughout Jennings’ discussion, he showed to be such a humble, kind person who not only talks the talk but walks the walk of love, respect, and peace. Jennings’ conversation with Mayhem Rockstar is outlined in whole below.
MRM: First off, thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us about your new album. It is an honor. Let’s jump right into things, you’ve got your debut album, Jekyll & Hyde out now. How does it feel to have this record out?
WJ: It feels great to have it out. It allowed me to pour my whole heart into this, having worked on it such a long time. I think it was important to take my time because I’ve grown so much and gotten my priorities in better order since I started working on it.
MRM: Right then. You touch on a lot of topics in your new album, perhaps most notably being drug addiction. That is addressed directly in the single, ‘Sleeves.’ Talk to me about that song, lyrically. I understand you yourself have dealt with addiction in your own life.
WJ: Drug addiction happens in a lot of people’s lives. It is a real serious issue that needs to be addressed. I fought addiction, like you said, and I felt that it is something that needs to be more visible.
MRM: Exactly. On a slightly lighter note, you also have a song on here titled ’10-day Run” that is about trucking. My understanding is that you have some truckers in your family. Is that where this comes from?
WJ: Yeah, I do have some truckers in my family and trucking songs actually used to be a thing a long time ago in country music, not so much nowadays. If you’ve ever seen the movie, Smokey and the Bandit, that really influenced me to write this. When I heard ‘Eastbound and Down’ in that movie, it really influenced me to write this song. If we didn’t have truckers, we’d have nothing. They’re the ones who bring everything we have to the stores, so they are integral to our economy and way of life.
MRM: Getting back on the topic of drug abuse and addiction, you are not the first artist to really bring attention to this issue at least in regard to the world of country music. Jelly Roll, one of your counterparts, has really made a point to bring awareness to this issue through his music. Do you think there is more effort by the country music community to bring attention to the issue?
WJ: It does seem that there are more and more people touching on it. That’s encouraging because it used to be taboo to talk about it publicly. Sadly, drug abuse is more common than sobriety in America and we need to get back to talking about it, addressing it.
MRM: You actually are doing your part to address attention and make a change, with the Mobilize Recovery Across America Bus Tour. Talk about that if you would.
WJ: Like you said, it is a bus tour across America. We are getting people together who have some big names to help talk about and support recovery. We want to remind people that you can always climb out of that hole. You can’t turn a r back on it. I could not be more proud to be a part of this. One of the dates where I’m taking part is Sept. 24 in Las Vegas. I’ll be performing a few songs. I’ll be speaking at another on Oct. 8 in Richmond, VA.
MRM: That is incredible, that you are so dedicated to this cause. I wish we had more time because I’d love to pick your brain on what you think the answer is to combatting addiction in this country. What do you think, just in a synopsis, is the way to handle it?
WJ: Honestly…I think the answer is patience, love, and hope. I don’t know how much legislation can do either at the state or federal level. I know from experience, no matter how strong I tried to act around people when I was battling addiction, I was as fragile as a light bulb inside. If you apply tough love in a situation with someone in such a state, it’s not going to work. That person is going to run and hide back in their hole. You have to be supportive of that person and help them.
MRM: That is such a different pace to take, like you said, because of human nature. It is really refreshing to hear. I know your time is short and I want to thank you again for your time. Before you go, I wanted to ask one more question on a lighter note. The sound on your new album is clearly a throwback to older country music sounds. To that end, what is your take on the poppier sound of so much of today’s country music as opposed to what you have composed?
WJ: Honestly, all music comes from the past. These days it is hard t put any song into one genre. I personally take my hat off to all the music and artists out there for what they are creating. You can call this country, that rap, that r&b, and really you can hear a little of all of it in each nowadays. The problem is that people have so many opinions nowadays that the music community has become a war zone. It’s not bringing people together anymore. I for one grew up with so much more than just country and I think that helps me to realize even music just needs to come from a place of peace and love and hope. If the music makes you feel something, then that is what it should be about.
MRM: that is a sentiment that we need so much more of nowadays. It seems like music isn’t the universal language anymore that people used to call it. I can see where you are coming from. On that note, again, I know you are busy so thank you again for your time and I hope you have a great rest of your day.
WJ: You’re very welcome. I hope you do, too.
Whey Jennings’ debut album, Jekyll & Hyde is available now. More information on the album is available along with all of Whey Jennings’ latest news at:
Website: https://wheyjennings.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/W.A.JENNINGS
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wheyjennings
