Shooter Jennings Unveils Waylon Jennings Posthumous Album Songbird Ahead of Diamonds Release

Shooter Jennings has announced the release of his father’s first post‑humous album, Songbird, set to drop on October 3 2025 through Thirty Tigers and Son of Jessi. The 47‑track collection pulls from a trove of unreleased recordings made by Waylon Jennings and the Waylors between 1973 and 1984, and marks the beginning of a planned three‑album series that will bring fresh material from the late outlaw country icon to listeners.

Waylon Jennings, born Wayland Arnold Jennings on June 15 1937, was a trailblazer of the outlaw country movement. After signing with RCA Victor in 1965, he released a string of influential albums, including Dreaming My Dreams (1972) and Ol’ Waylon (1974). Jennings was known for defying Nashville’s production conventions and collaborating with fellow outlaws like Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson. He died on February 13 2002, but his legacy endures through post‑humous releases and the stewardship of his son.

Shooter Jennings, born May 19 1979, has carved out his own career as a musician and producer, releasing seven studio albums of his own and working with other artists. In recent years, he has turned his attention to preserving and curating his father’s unreleased catalog. According to reports, Shooter uncovered a sizable archive of recordings that had never been released commercially. He has taken on the role of producer and curator for Songbird, overseeing the selection, mixing, and mastering of the tracks.

The album is expected to blend full‑length songs with shorter demos, offering a window into Jennings’ songwriting and vocal style during the peak of his career. Thirty Tigers, an independent label that supports veteran artists, and Son of Jessi, a label founded by Shooter’s mother Jessi Colter, will jointly release the project. The partnership underscores the family’s commitment to keeping Waylon’s music alive.

In addition to Songbird, Shooter has announced a second post‑humous album, Diamonds, which will be issued as a physical edition on November 13 2026 and will become available on streaming platforms on December 11 2026. Diamonds is described as Jennings’ 48th studio album and will feature tracks recorded after the sessions that produced Songbird. Releasing Diamonds after Songbird allows fans to experience the material in chronological order.

The third installment in the series is expected to follow Diamonds, though no release date has yet been confirmed. The three‑album plan is part of a broader effort to archive and distribute Waylon Jennings’ unreleased work, providing new content for collectors and streaming listeners alike.

Songbird will launch alongside a series of promotional events, including a limited‑edition vinyl release and a digital streaming premiere. While no tour or live performances have been announced to support the album, the release is poised to generate renewed interest in Jennings’ catalog and could influence licensing opportunities for film, television, and advertising.

Industry observers note that post‑humous releases can have significant commercial and cultural impact. By bringing previously unheard recordings to market, the Jennings family is not only preserving Waylon’s artistic legacy but also creating new revenue streams for his estate. The collaboration between Shooter Jennings, Thirty Tigers, and Son of Jessi demonstrates how family members can steward a deceased artist’s catalog in a way that respects the original work while adapting to contemporary distribution models.

In short, Songbird will be available on October 3 2025, launching a three‑album series that will chronicle Waylon Jennings’ unreleased material. The project is produced by Shooter Jennings and released through Thirty Tigers and Son of Jessi. A second album, Diamonds, will follow in November 2026, with a streaming release in December. The releases represent a comprehensive effort to archive and share Waylon Jennings’ legacy with new and existing audiences.