Introduction:
Travis Tritt Reflects on the Lesson Waylon Jennings Taught Him About Fame and Staying True
Travis Tritt performs during the Volunteer Jam: A Musical Salute To Charlie Daniels at Bridgestone Arena on August 18, 2021, in Nashville, Tennessee.
Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images
Travis Tritt recently opened up about a life-changing conversation he had with country legend Waylon Jennings — one that forever changed how he viewed fame, criticism, and authenticity in the music business.
During an interview at CMA Fest, Tritt reflected on a moment early in his career when backlash from Nashville insiders nearly broke his confidence.
“All of a sudden, they hated me, man. They were just trashing me left and right,” Tritt shared. “They didn’t know what I was. ‘He’s a renegade, he’s a rebel, he’s a non-conformist.’ And then they finally hit on one that stuck — ‘He’s an outlaw.’ And man, that was really starting to weigh on me… until I met Waylon Jennings.”
The controversy began in 1990 when Tritt released “Put Some Drive In Your Country.” The song blended southern rock influences into a traditional country framework, challenging Nashville’s expectations. While fans loved it, many in the industry didn’t. Radio programmers and critics accused him of pushing too far beyond country’s boundaries.
Then came the night in Atlanta when Waylon Jennings pulled him aside and gave him advice that would stay with Tritt for the rest of his career.
“He said, ‘These people in Nashville — the ones at radio stations, record labels, and magazines — they get their music for free,’” Tritt recalled. “‘The people that should matter to you are the ones who work 40, 50, 60 hours a week just to feed their families. They’re the ones spending their hard-earned money to buy your albums and tickets when you come to town. Those are the people you owe everything to.’”
That reminder helped Tritt shift his focus from industry approval to fan connection. It gave him the courage to keep making the kind of music he believed in — music that spoke to real people living real lives.
More than three decades later, that philosophy has paid off. Tritt has earned two Grammy Awards, four CMA Awards, and been a proud member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1992. He’s scored over 40 hits on the Hot Country Songs chart, including five No. 1 singles, and every one of his albums has gone platinum.
For Tritt, those achievements all trace back to one conversation — a few honest words from Waylon Jennings that reminded him what country music is really about: heart, hard work, and staying true no matter what Nashville says.