It’s been 24 years since Waylon Jennings passed away, but his music is still very much alive. In 2025, his son, Waylon Albright Jennings—better known as Shooter Jennings—shared that he had uncovered some long-lost recordings while going through his dad’s old tapes. He described the find as “a plethora of music by Waylon and the band at the peak of their abilities.”
Among these recordings were tracks and outtakes from the production of the first season of The Dukes of Hazzard in 1979. Waylon Jennings famously recorded the show’s theme song, which aired from 1979 to 1985.
These newly discovered recordings have been put together into a compilation album called When the Balladeer Met the Dukes. The album aims to showcase Waylon’s “iconic collaborations and storytelling voice, including rare and unreleased material.” The songs feature his original band, the Waylors.
When the Balladeer Met the Dukes will be released as a physical record only, through Son of Jessi—a label owned by Shooter Jennings under Black Rock Country Media.
When the Balladeer Met the Dukes To Be Released On Record Store Day
The new compilation will come out exclusively on neon orange vinyl LP. Only 1,500 copies will be made, and they’ll be available to fans on Record Store Day. The album won’t be available for online streaming.
Record Store Day is a yearly celebration of “the unique culture of a record store and the special role they play in their communities.” Every year, limited edition vinyl and CDs, along with special promotional items, are created just for the event. These are only available for purchase in stores.
This year, Record Store Day falls on April 18th, 2026. Artists like Tyler Childers, Kaitlin Butts, Brandi Carlile, John Prine, Billy Strings, and others will also take part.
How To Get A Copy Of The New Waylon Jennings Album
When the Balladeer Met the Dukes can be purchased at select record stores for one day only—April 18th, 2026. There won’t be any pre-orders or online sales. Participating stores can be found here.
Note: not all participating stores will carry every release or promotion for Record Store Day. Check with your local store to confirm what’s available.
