Luke Bryan‘s words during a recent interview have started a war between himself and some of the members of the late Waylon Jennings‘ family. During a recent conversation with Hits Daily Double, Luke responded to criticism about bro-country by saying, “I think that people who want Merle, Willie, and Waylon just need to buy Merle, Willie and Waylon. I’ve never been a ‘Those were the good old days’ kind of guy. I’m not big on looking back on the past. I’m not an outlaw country singer. I don’t do cocaine and run around. So I’m not going to sing outlaw country. I like to hunt, fish, ride around on my farm, build a big bonfire and drink some beers—and that’s what I sing about. It’s what I know. I don’t know about laying in the gutter, strung out on drugs. I don’t really want to do that.”
The wife of Waylon’s son, Buddy, Kathy Pinkerman Jennings, quickly posted an angry response on her Facebook page on Friday (July 10th) and she didn’t mince words. Pinkerman wrote,
“To Luke Bryan :
I hope your family members are proud of you for using your WORLDWIDE platform to take the time to disrespect my Father in Law. You have managed to PROVE to the world your true self.
Albeit that Waylon’s drug use is well documented and something he overcame, I assure you, he was never “laying in a gutter.” At the peak of his career and drug abuse, he was making history and setting records. He, single handedly paved the way for you and everyone else to make music the way the artist wanted to make it. I’m not willing to waste my time to debate your “music” and / or the fact you have zillions of fans – I will however, not sit back and be quiet when you have so blatantly disrespected Waylon.
I recall the time I was at the Grand Ole Opry to visit with Andy Griggs, you were making your debut appearance. My friend that was with us had just seen your video. As we stood at the side of the stage, Jeannie Seeley [Seely] was talking to us and you walked over to introduce your self to her and told her how much you admired her, she in turn introduced you to myself and my husband. I almost got a cavity because of the sweetness of the words coming out of your mouth – you told us Waylon was one of your musical heroes. You went on and on and on.
This is not about music, Outlaw Country, whatever – it’s about DISRESPECT.
You are a platinum, disrespecting, no singing, whining, grasping for media attention, ass****. Use your platform for something good, instead of bashing the LEGENDS that came before you.”
Apparently word got back to Bryan about the uproar and he took to social media to offer his own perspective. On Friday (July 10th), Luke tweeted, “Hey guys I’ve been thinking about this all day, every now and then I feel I need to defend myself in this business. I did a great interview with many topics discussed. It’s so frustrating that something negative has spun out of the story. I would never speak against any artist. It’s not my style. I consider Willie, Waylon and Merle musical heroes. I was trying to state what I was about and where I come from with my music. It’s simple as that. Love yall. Signing off. Thanks for the love.”
Pinkerman followed that up by posting a YouTube video of herself reading her original statement and adding a few more comments after she said people were doubting the validity of her Facebook post.
Despite the controversy, Luke managed to play to a sold-out crowd at Vanderbilt Stadium in Nashville on Saturday (July 11th). Florida Georgia Line, Randy Houser, Thomas Rhett and Dustin Lynch also performed during the concert.
