Second Chapter: The Glorious Highs
Jennings helped her secure a deal with RCA, which was a turning point in Jessi’s life. At that point, she finally changed her stage name to Jessi Colter in honor of her great-grandfather Jesse Colter. After that, Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter started collaborating, and Jessi also released her debut album “A Country Star Is Born,” co-produced by Jennings.
In 1970, the two scored a Grammy nomination for “Suspicious Minds.” Then in 1975, she moved to Capitol Records and earned her first chart-topping hit with “I’m Not Lisa” as a solo artist. After that, their respective careers enjoyed back-to-back successes, including their compilation album in 1976 titled “Wanted! The Outlaws” with Willie Nelson and Tompall Glaser selling over a million copies.
They were quickly dubbed as the outlaw’s movement “it” couple and became very important figures in country music as well. The two wed in 1969 in a church in Phoenix, Arizona, with Jessi’s mother serving as the minister.
On May 19, 1979, they welcomed their first and only son Waylon Albright “Shooter” Jennings, who later on followed their footsteps.
