Introduction
TRAVIS TRITT HONORS WAYLON JENNINGS WITH AN EMOTIONAL TRIBUTE AT THE OPRY
In the final years of his life, Waylon Jennings endured a painful battle with Type 2 diabetes. After decades of heavy smoking — nearly six packs a day — he underwent heart bypass surgery in 1988. By 2000, his health had worsened dramatically, forcing him to end most of his touring. Doctors performed surgery in hopes of improving circulation in his left leg, but despite their efforts, Jennings’ left foot was amputated in December 2001 due to severe complications.
Just two months later, on February 13, 2002, Jennings passed away peacefully in his sleep at his home in Chandler, Arizona. He was 64 years old. His death marked the end of an era for country music, leaving behind a legacy that forever changed the genre.
A striking photo taken by Paul Natkin at Farm Aid in 1992 captures Jennings in his prime — the outlaw spirit of country music personified.
Days after the heartbreaking news, country star Travis Tritt found himself scheduled to perform at the Grand Ole Opry. Rather than cancel the show, he turned the night into a moving tribute to his late friend and mentor.
“I don’t have to tell you folks what the man we lost this week meant to me,” Tritt said softly to the Opry audience. “Waylon taught us all so much — we’ve borrowed from him, learned from him, and been inspired by him in ways words can’t even describe.”
Tritt then shared a touching memory — just a year and a half earlier, he had recorded a live album with Jennings at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Since that collaboration, he and his band had been performing Jennings’ iconic anthem, “I’ve Always Been Crazy,” as part of their shows.
That night, standing on the same stage where they had once played together, Tritt decided to honor Jennings one more time.
“We wanna do this one for Waylon tonight,” he declared before launching into a powerful rendition of “I’ve Always Been Crazy.”
The performance was more than a song — it was a celebration of Jennings’ rebellious soul, his influence, and his unmatched impact on generations of country musicians.
In true Waylon fashion, Tritt didn’t turn the moment into mourning. Instead, he filled the Opry with what Jennings loved most: pure, hard-driving country music.
Fans in the audience that night witnessed not only a heartfelt farewell but also a reminder of how one man’s legacy can live on through the voices he inspired.