Every weekend John Wesley Karson delivers a new episode of The Icons of Outlaw Country radio show, taking listeners on an unforgettable, gritty, heartfelt journey through the rebellious spirit of the genre. Kicking off with Waylon Jennings’ 1976 classic “Are You Ready for the Country”, the first hour set the tone with raw energy, followed by David Allan Coe’s sharp-witted “Lost My Sense of Humor” and the playful “Punkin Center Barn Dance”, both from 1975. Billy Joe Shaver’s “Ragged Old Truck” (1984) brought a rugged edge, while Buck Owens’ “Tall Dark Stranger” (1969) reminded us of the genre’s deep roots. Modern outlaw Cody Jinks added a contemporary twist with “The Hippies & the Cowboys” (2010), and Jerry Jeff Walker’s “Trashy Women” (1989) had us grinning with its unapologetic charm. The hour also featured Chris LeDoux’s timeless “This Cowboy’s Hat” (1982) and Kinky Friedman’s eclectic “Highway Café” (1973) and “A Dog Named Freedom” (2018), alongside Merle Haggard’s iconic “Mama Tried” (1968), with Ray Benson and Ray Watson rounding things out with “Feelin’ Haggard” (2017) and “Honky Tonkers Don’t Cry” (2014).
The second hour kept the outlaw fire burning, diving into Hank Williams Jr.’s soulful “Heaven Can’t Be Found” (1999) and Red Steagall’s nostalgic “Lone Star Beer & Bob Wills Music” (1976). Michael Murphey’s “Backsliders Wine” (1972) set a reflective mood, while Brooks & Dunn paid tribute with “The Ballad of Jerry Jeff Walker” (2007), paired perfectly with Walker’s own “LA Freeway” (1972). Brian Burns’ “Angles and Outlaws” (2019) and Merle Haggard’s “Big City” from The Bluegrass Sessions (2007) kept the authenticity alive, while Shooter Jennings’ “Outlaw You” (2011) brought a modern rebel yell. Kris Kristofferson’s haunting “Stranger” (1975) and Johnny Cash’s “Sunday Morning Comin’ Down” (1972) and “The Last Gunfighter Ballad” (1977) added timeless depth. The show wrapped with Willie Nelson’s recent “The Border” (2024) and his classic duet with Merle Haggard, “Poncho & Lefty” (1983), proving the outlaw spirit remains as fierce as ever. Catch the full episode below……..
Playlist #113
HOUR TWO
Waylon Jennings – Are You Ready for the Country – 1976
David Allan Coe – Lost My Sense of Humor – 1975
David Allan Coe – Punkin Center Barn Dance – 1975
Billy Joe Shaver – Ragged Old Truck – 1984
Buck Owens – Tall Dark Stranger – 1969
The Hippies & the Cowboys – Cody Jinks -2010
Jerry Jeff Walker – Trashy Women – 1989
Chris LeDoux – This Cowboy’s Hat – 1982
Kinky Friedman – Highway Café – 1973
Kinky Friedman – A Dog Named Freedom – 2018
Merle Haggard – Mama Tried – 1968
Ray Benson & Ray Watson – Feelin’ Haggard – 2017
Ray Watson – Honky Tonkers Don’t Cry – 2014
HOUR TWO
Hank Williams Jr. – Heaven Can’t Be Found –1999
Red Steagall – Lone Star Beer & Bob Wills Music –1976
Michael Murphey – Backsliders Wine –1972
Brooks & Dunn – The Ballad of Jerry Jeff Walker –2007
Jerry Jeff Walker – LA Freeway –1972
Brian Burns – Angles and Outlaws – 2019
Merle Haggard – Big City –2007 – “The Bluegrass Sessions”
Outlaw You – Shooter Jennings – 2011
Stranger – Kris Kristofferson – 1975
Sunday Morning Comin’ Down – Johnny Cash – 1972
The Last Gunfighter Ballad – Johnny Cash – 1977
Willie Nelson – The Border – 2024
Willie Nelson & Merle Haggard – Poncho & Lefty – 1983