69. Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise of The Waymores Discuss Waylon Jennings, Honky Tonk Heroes

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Country musicians Willie Heath Neal and Kira Annalise, who perform as The Waymores, introduce Al to an album by their band’s namesake, Honky Tonk Heroes by Waylon Jennings. Willie and Kira talk about why this album is so special to them, and they also tell Al about their farm in central Georgia and discuss their new album, Stone Sessions.

Be sure to follow Willie and Kira on Twitter at @TWaymores and on Instagram at @thewaymores!

As they mentioned, they also have a YouTube channel. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWGJRTKouBz7IO3YkUJD4Q.

You can also find out more about the band’s music and tour dates on their website, thewaymores.com.

Al is on Twitter at @almelchiorBB, and this show has accounts on Twitter and Instagram at @youmealbum. Be sure to follow @youmealbum to find out in advance about upcoming guests and featured albums for this podcast.

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1:22 Willie and Kira join the show

1:49 Willie and Kira cite the other albums they considered for this episode

3:05 Willie and Kira talk about the origins of The Waymores

8:23 Kira and Willie revisit Kira’s introduction to Honky Tonk Heroes

13:03 Willie thinks about Honky Tonk Heroes as a concept album

13:33 Willie recounts his first experience of closely listening to Honky Tonk Heroes

16:00 Kira and Willie explain why they think the album is brilliant

17:58 Al had trouble focusing on the music on the album

19:25 Waylon Jennings’ message and vocal delivery made the album meaningful for Kira

21:09 Shoddy production is part of the album’s charm for Willie

23:06 Willie and Kira delve into the particulars of Waylon’s vocal delivery

26:28 Willie talks about his long-standing fixation with Honky Tonk Heroes

29:00 Kira tells the story behind the partnership of Waylon and Billy Joe Shaver

34:31 Kira and Willie laud the quality and uniqueness of Waylon’s voice

37:37 Willie repeats a story told to him by Billy Joe Shaver

Discussion of selected tracks:

39:35 We Had It All

42:00 Ain’t No God in Mexico

42:44 Low Down Freedom/Omaha

46:59 Kira and Willie talk about a particular lesson they take from Waylon’s songwriting

49:21 Honky Tonk Heroes was an aberration for a country album in the early ‘70s

50:56 Kira and Willie talk extensively about “outlaw” vs. “outcast” country

55:29 Willie likes how spacious Honky Tonk Heroes is

57:19 Kira and Willie appreciate the way Waylon paints a picture with his songs

1:00:56 Kira and Willie talk about their farm and their love of animals

1:08:06 Kira and Willie talk about their new album, Stone Sessions

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