About the Song
Before there was Lonesome, On’ry and Mean, before the outlaw movement, before Waylon’s rugged baritone became an icon of country rebellion – there was a young Texas musician recording a Cajun waltz. “Jole Blon” holds a special place in Waylon Jennings’ story: it was his first single, released around 1958, and it captures a moment when he was still finding his voice, yet already hinting at the path he would take.
This version of “Jole Blon” wasn’t born in some Nashville studio — it was arranged with influence and support from Buddy Holly, who believed in Jennings enough to help produce his early session. The choice of song is striking: “Jole Blon” is a traditional Cajun ballad (sometimes called the “Cajun national anthem”) that’s been sung in many variations over decades. By recording it, Jennings was tapping into a musical tradition beyond the mainstream country of his time.
In Jennings’ hands, “Jole Blon” carries a youthful earnestness more than polish. The instrumentation is modest — acoustic guitar, sparse backing — and Waylon’s voice is still finding its ground. There’s no swagger, no rebellion yet; there’s simply a young musician declaring himself by doing a song that had meaning, melody, and emotional pull. The recording is raw, but in that rawness there is sincerity.
Looking back, “Jole Blon” is more than a curiosity or novelty in Jennings’ catalog. It’s a foundational tether — a reminder that the outlaw would always come from somewhere, that Waylon’s roots weren’t just in modern sounds but in traditions older than his own career. Through this track, we witness a young artist reaching outward: absorbing, experimenting, and preparing for a voice that would one day reshape country music.