Whey Jennings has a new lease on life, after becoming sober during the coronavirus pandemic. The grandson of Waylon Jennings used his time off the road to focus on himself, which made him realize he was finally ready to get clean.
“I had time to stop and think about what I was doing with my life, and realized that I’ve been pretty much all on it. I’ve made some good racket out there. I’ve made a pretty good name for myself, but I don’t remember a lot of it. I’ve pretty much been wired for sound 27 years. It takes time. I went to rehab, and I learned a lot more there than I thought I would. I gave myself excuses for a lot of years. I thought, you go to rehab, you’re going to go in there and meet a bunch of new drug connections.
“But you know, if you go there for that, you will,” he continued. “I went there to get better. And I soaked up everything they had for me. So far I’m doing good. 55 days. I have a pretty good head on my shoulders. I’m trying to build my family up and I’m trying to work on this house we just bought, and I’m trying to do the right thing and trying to be a good father.”
Whey has, like everyone else, been mostly self-isolating over the last few months, but thankfully, it isn’t the drugs that he misses the most.
“I’ve been having music withdrawals,” Whey admitted. “No cravings for the drugs, but I’m about to go nuts for some music ideas for songs in my head. I don’t play guitar. So I pretty much have to have musicians. I play little bit of guitar, and I can write without music, but it’s a lot easier with my band here. I got a lot of great ideas. I’m working on a song called ’28 Days,’ because that’s what I spent in rehab, 28 days for 27 years of my life.”
For some, COVID-19 made them turn to alcohol and drugs, as a form of coping. For Whey, it made him realize how much he was tired of living life the way he had been for so long.
“I didn’t have no one,” Whey conceded. “No employment, nothing going on. I was living out of my van. I was miserable. Me and my girlfriend weren’t getting along that great. I was on the road doing things I shouldn’t have been doing. And she was at home, doing things she should have been doing. We both looked at each other and said, ‘We’re either gonna get help, or we’re gonna lose everything. So that’s what we did. We went and got help.”
It didn’t take Whey long to realize that he, and his family, would be much better off if he was sober.
“Once I got in there and I started doing it, I wanted to do it for myself,” Whey recalled. “I thought I needed the stuff to get by. Turns out, I was spending money to be miserable. Now I don’t have to spend all that money. I spend all that money on my family. I’ve spent all that money on my life, and I thought I’d be happier. I’m way happier now than I’ve ever been.”
Whey’s latest album, Gypsy Soul, is available via his website.
Way to go Whey. Keep it simple one day at a time. God has a plan you are on his journey give him the glory. Follow your dreams. And receive his blessing. I’m proud of you young man.
Your an amazing man im so proud of you. I knew you would find happiness and yourself. You have a beautiful girlfriend abd beautiful kids tgat are very lucky to have you. Znd you to hzve them you have a awesome momanger who loves you with no limits there us only goid to come from that. I love you to the moon and back and cang wait to see ya the new whey cause he is a awesome man i wish you the best sweetie love ya
I have been following him for years have seen him in different states and have even given him a Texas Fiddle that was used to open for his Grandfather at Billy Bob’s
His music is great ! And I look forward to hearing the new and sober Whey
Whey, I’ve known you for awhile now since meeting in Mackinaw IL at the River Roadhouse. I couldn’t be more proid of you!! I can’t wait for you and Taryn to Marry, see your career keep booming!! You have the best support system and I thank god for TAMMY taking care of you and blessing you with many much more opportunities!!
Love you like a Brother!! Love Always, Christine
Proud of you and Taryn both keep you all in my prayers 🙏 daily keep it simply, work those 12 step’s n always remember just for today in July I will be clean for 20 year’s from crack cocaine easy does it n it works if you work it God bless you and your family n will pray 🙏 for those clean n suffering God bless n good things to come
I’m very proud of you Whey . Keep up the good work one day at a time.
Very Proud of you brother , it takes a big man to acknowledge you have a problem . It takes a bigger to do something about it. Take it one day at a time and continue to look forward. Congratulations from the black hat cowboy.
Way to go me young amigo, and trust me when you are practising being clean and sober , It really does get better everyday. I met you in Sturgis last year at the Main Street Stage and have kinda followed you ever since and friends with your manager in FB. Ive been a big fan of ur Grampa Waylons since the early 70’s , keep on Rockin bro , p.s. was hoping to see you in Sturgis this year again but because of this Covid thing we won’t be attending, see ya next year at the 2021 rally🤠😎🤠😎🙏👍
Whey I am so proud of you. I know that God will bless your efforts. Can’t wait for you to get back to Nashville.
I’m proud of you and I hope to see you in concert again after this coronvirus– your new music your planning makes me excited for your future shows! God Bless and stay as sweet as you are! ONE DAY AT A TIME!!!
I’m proud of you Whey– can’t wait to see you in concert again! Your new music is getting me excited for some new songs!!!! God Bless you and remember one day at a time– you can do this!!!
Glad to hear your still doing good. Keep it up bro. I’m glad to be able to have gotten to know you @ can call you a friend.
I’m proud of you keep practicing the guitar you know how to reach me if you need me!
Tell everyone hello for us!
Wow, amazing story Whey, so proud of you! Miss seeing you around, hopefully some day when your passing thru good ole Portland Indiana you can stop at Pits to say Hi, see your guitar on the wall which we are getting ready to hang now that we have painted the ceiling and done some work, frankie made a guitar box with lights so you will love it. Much love, keep pushing forward, I’ve been sober for about 25 years now and the one thing I can definitely say is that when your sober you see the world from a different perspective your eyes are wide open, its beautiful, when your using you see nothing your eyes are wide shut so to speak. I’m rooting for you! Xoxo Charity