Twenty-one-year-old Waylon Hanel is a self-taught musician and singer characterized by his textured vocals and endearing ability to captivate audiences. The Michigan native has quickly become recognized for his down-to-earth style, bold delivery and vivid storytelling.

In the five short years since Waylon launched his music career, he has performed as support act opening for Uncle Kracker, Trace Adkins, Chris Cagle, Elvie Shane, Tyler Farr and Jo Dee Messina among others. Waylon’s 2023 tour schedule is fast approaching more than 75 show dates. He released his self-titled EP (WAYLON HANEL/Nov. 2022) featuring five original tunes and is poised to introduce his sophomore CD, NEW OLD OUTLAWS in June 2023. (“New Old Outlaws Rewind,” a re-recording of the original title track, is spotlighted as the bonus track and receiving early welcome and applause from country radio and its listeners in the US and abroad.)


NEW MUSIC – NEW OLD OUTLAWS CD

Country’s Chatter is pleased to introduce Waylon Hanel, the young buck reigniting the torch to carry on the Outlaw movement and tradition, who will celebrate the release of his sophomore CD, aptly-titled NEW OLD OUTLAWS, on Friday, June 2, 2023.

A rugged, gritty vocalist, Waylon possesses a well-worn authenticity reviving signatures of country music stylists from some of his greatest influences (Merle Haggard, Hank Williams, Willie Nelson, and his namesake, Waylon Jennings).  The CD features signature originals (with song titles like “Concrete Cowboys,” “Gypsy Angels” and “Too Late To Turn Back”) written alongside along-side veteran songwriter and producer, Bernie Nelson (Conway Twitty/Kris Kristofferson/ Ricky Van Shelton/Kenny Chesney/Wynonna/Chris Ledoux), and feel like a throwback that is both unique and nostalgic.

Full-bodied recordings spotlight authentic, old school sound, showcasing skillful, seasoned song craftsmanship and musicianship, enlivened by contemporary Nashville instrumentation and simplistic production that leaves space wide open for Hanel’s crystal clear vocals. As an introduction, the NEW OLD OUTLAWS recording project fits Waylon Hanel to the “T.”

A SHORT VISIT WITH WAYLON

Tell us a little about where you’re from.

I’m from a very small town (it’s actually a village) in Michigan, Millington. We have one traffic light in town and there isn’t much that would bring someone to Millington as an “attraction.”  But…it’s the place I call home; the place where I grew up and a place that has shaped me.

I was named after Waylon Jennings; that’s a strong character and signature, and I’m proud of my namesake. Growing up, my brother and I spent time hunting, fishing, trapping and bailing hay on our farm. We listened to “old school” country music and that’s the style of music I’m drawn to. Rural America and country music are a big part of my fiber and who I am.

Your new single, “New Old Outlaws (Rewind)” is out now and on radio; tell us what folks can expect to hear from the title track:

If you like the authentic, old school country and the Outlaw sound, you may very well like my new single “New Old Outlaws (Rewind).” I wrote it with Bernie Nelson, who is a veteran songwriter. He really helped to capture a sentiment that I feel a kinship with. The song came from the simple reflection, and saying, that “they don’t make things like they used to” and there’s no new old outlaws anymore. The instrumentation is a raw throwback to vintage Outlaw country.  I’m proud of this track and the early success and welcome at country radio.

What musical influences might we hear on the NEW OLD OUTLAWS CD recording project?

I’m drawn to the music I grew up listening to. The legendary country music recording artists that paved the way for traditional country and the Outlaw movement. The songwriters and performers who didn’t follow trends but created them; they were/are genuine and authentic (Waylon, Willie, Merle, Johnny Cash, Hank Jr., Johnny Paycheck, George Strait, Loretta Lynn, George Jones, Lefty Frizzle, Charlie Pride, Vern Gosdin, Keith Whitley, Don Williams, Chris Stapleton, Cody Jinks and Cody Johnson).  I feel a kinship to their music and their style.  I think you hear a lot of “hints” of just about all of them on the NEW OLD OUTLAWS CD.

What Top 12 Songs are on you playlist?
1-Rambling Man (Waylon Jennings) – It’s the most “Outlaw Country” song, in my opinion
2-Walk The Line (Johnny Cash) – It’s the first song I learned to play and sing.
3-Highway Man (Highwaymen) – One of the best bands to every exist!
4-Good Ole Boys Like Me (Don Williams) – This song reminds me of my great Grandpa Weatherford.
5-Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd) –  This is an amazing song and the song we chose to play at my brother’s funeral.
6-Mama Tried (Merle Haggard) – I admire how it tells Merle’s life story in two minutes.
7-Take This Job And Shove It  (Johnny Paycheck) – One of the biggest blue collar working songs of all time
8-Devil Went Down To Georgia  (Charlie Daniels Band) – Charlie Daniels is a legend and this song is proof!
9-Amarillo By Morning  (George Strait) – It’s one of my favorite songs; it’s also one of George’s favorites.
10-Hippies And Cowboys (Cody Jinks) – Cody’s an amazing writer; I admire him.  Not to mention, it’s pretty awesome when an entertainer with no record label can sell out a 64K stadium!

Album Review by Country’s Chatter: I have been a country music for about 70 years.  I grew up listening to Marty Robbins, Patsy Cline, Ray Price, Eddie Arnold, Don Gibson and, of course, Kitty Wells.  That’s just a few of them.  As our country music evolved, I moved along with it.  Willie Nelson, Loretta Lynn, Charley Pride and Dolly Parton were added to my listening list.  Soon after, it was George Jones, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard.  Since then, we’ve been through the 70s, 80s, 90s….. and so on.

Although there have been a lot of changes in the world of country music, I think fans are more than ready for this little trip back in time.  Waylon Hanel is helping all of us return to our roots. I am sure every country music fan is going to appreciate Waylon Hanel’s music.  NEW OLD OUTLAWS is outstanding.

Even though our country music kept changing, I kept listening.  I still listen to the new songs, even to what we call “Today’s Country”.  But nothing will replace that old country music.  We didn’t have to call it classic country, traditional country, or real country music.  Because that’s just what it was.

After listening to the short clips of the songs on Waylon Hanel’s new album, NEW OLD OUTLAWS, I am more than happy to add an adjective!  The songs on this album are as close to ‘classic’ or ‘traditional’ country music as we’ve heard in a long time.

Waylon has that kind of voice that makes him one of the best at telling a story. His voice is clear and pure.  Each word is so clearly pronounced, as the story unfolds through the music.  When listening to the short sampling of songs listed on his website, you will be very disappointed that it ends so soon.  It isn’t just the song that ends too soon, it’s the story.  I want to hear the end of the story!

He is a singer, songwriter, musician, storyteller.  He seems to have mastered every one of those talents. Named after the great Waylon Jennings, Waylon Hanel is certainly doing everything necessary to fill that very large pair of boots, and to keep our traditional country music alive.

This is an album I highly recommend.  It’s one of those ‘thumbs up’, ‘five-star rating’, ‘doesn’t get any better than this’ album that everyone is going to want on their playlist. It will most definitely be on mine.

waylonhanel.com
https://www.facebook.com/waylonhanelmusic
https://www.instagram.com/waylon_hanel_music/

 

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Twenty-one-year-old Waylon Hanel is a self-taught musician and singer characterized by his textured vocals and endearing ability to captivate audiences. The Michigan native has quickly become recognized for his down-to-earth style, bold delivery and vivid storytelling. In the five short years since Waylon launched his music career, he has performed...