All Photos: Alan Mercer
Country singer/songwriter and actor Waylon Payne is the son of Jody Payne, a guitarist in Willie Nelson's band, and Grammy winning Country Music singer Sammi Smith. He was named after his godfather, Waylon Jennings. He began his career writing songs and playing with other musicians. Notably, he placed ‘Elvis’ and ‘Sing Til I Stop Crying’ on Pat Green's album ‘Wave on Wave’ in 2003, also singing and playing guitar on the disc. He had already finished recording his own album, ‘The Drifter,’ without a label deal and was playing with Willie Nelson in New York when Green suggested he play the record for Green's label, Republic/Universal.
Waylon Payne was signed to the label, which released ‘The Drifter’ on June 22, 2004. It attracted critical praise and was tapped by other artists for material. Django Walker put ‘Her (She's Gone)’ on his album ‘Six Trips Around the World,’ and ‘The Bottom’ was covered by both Keith Gattis, producer of ‘The Drifter,’on ‘Big City Blues,’ for which Waylon sang background vocals, and Charlie Robison on ‘Good Times.’
Waylon was cast in the role of Jerry Lee Lewis in the Johnny Cash biopic ‘Walk the Line,’ which opened in 2005. Waylon's appearance on the soundtrack album allowed him to share the Grammy Award won by the disc. He was next cast in the starring role of Hank Garland in the 2006 biopic ‘Crazy.’ In 2010 he played the bad guy in ‘Road To Nowhere.’ In 2014 he has also starred in ‘The Identical.’ It’s loosely based on Elvis and the cast includes Ray Liotta and Ashley Judd.
Coming up in 2017 is a documentary titled ‘The Drifter: The Waylon Payne Story’ about his time in Los Angeles recording ‘The Drifter,’ his decent into drugs and the loss of his mother filmed from 2002 to 2005. His critically acclaimed album ‘The Drifter’ was reissued on March 11, 2008.
AM: How are you Waylon?
WP: I’m good buddy, how about you?
AM: I just got back from working in Los Angeles.
WP: I need to go out there and work soon.
AM: Yes you do. Everyone loves you out there.
WP: I love it out there as well, but I’m trying to get myself together here in Nashville.
AM: I think that’s the smart thing for you to do.
WP: I think so too. Hollywood will always be there and provided I don’t get any older I’ll be alright (Laughter)
AM: You’re a man so you can work the rest of your life.
WP: Well from your mouth to God’s ears.
AM: So are you focusing on music while you’re in Nashville?
WP: Right now I’m in the studio with Frank Liddell.
AM: Didn’t you just record a new album?
WP: I’ve got this album called the ‘Prodigal’ that’s kind of cool that I recorded in Texas. It’s all about me getting sober, dealing with the death of my dad and being a forty something year old man. I think it’s on the back burner just for a slight minute because Frank Liddell wants to do a new record on me.
AM: How exciting to have Frank Liddell want to work with you.
WP: I’m going to let myself be steered a little bit and give myself a real shot. I don’t know if it’s selling out or cashing in. (Laughter) I figure I’m on this path and doing really well. I’m making some strides. I’d like this next project to be the best that it can possibly be.
AM: Is there anything else you are working on?
WP: I’m focusing on writing now. I’ve got some songs coming up on some other artist’s albums but I can’t reveal who yet. It’s very exciting. That’s what’s going on. I also play and sing harmony in Lorrie Morgan’s band now, which is a dream come true. I’m staying busy in Nashville and seeing what’s supposed to be next.
AM: That’s great. What about any movies?
WP: I have a film called ‘Turnabout’ and it’s playing in a lot of film festivals right now. It’s screening in LA for the Cinefest. You never know, it could be a hit. I really enjoy working in films. I actually treasure the experience.
AM: Your film career came out of nowhere, right?
WP: I had a bad experience in high school with a drama teacher who told me I should probably be doing anything in the world except acting. Then I realized later on in my life that all I’ve ever been doing is acting. (Laughter) You put on different faces for people to let them see what they need from you. I really enjoy the technical side of acting.
AM: Who are your acting heroes?
WP: Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean and anyone who is excellent at their craft. I like to go on set and pretend that I am a Hollywood legend and try to give it my all.
AM: I’ve seen most every film performance you’ve ever done and I always love you.
WP: (Laughter) I’m so sorry about some of them.
AM: You are always good no matter what, but I’m really excited about you recording a new album with Frank Liddell.
WP: He’s one of the biggest producers in Nashville. He produces Miranda Lambert and Lee Ann Womack. He’s a great man. We’ve known each other for twenty five years. He was my publisher in 2006 when I went through my journey to get sober. He welcomed me with open arms when I came back. He gave me my job back. He’s a saint.
AM: People are good to you because beyond your talent, they can see a good soul with a beautiful heart.
WP: That’s what I strive for. All I want to do is be a beacon and an inspiration.
AM: What about the documentary about your life. How is that coming along?
WP: It’s called ‘The Waylon Payne Story’ and it’s coming soon. We just teamed up with another group of folks who want to take this thing worldwide. They think that telling the story of overcoming amphetamine use is an important one to tell.
AM: I have to agree with that. So you are happy with the film?
WP: The best thing about this documentary is it captured my entrance into music and film. We started shooting it in 2002 when I just got to Hollywood and decided to make a record with Keith Gattis. We got the recording of the whole album on film. They followed me on a daily basis from 2002 until 2005 when my Mom died. They got the birth of this guy trying to be a Country singer and also getting into a heavy methamphetamine problem. They captured the whole crash to the bottom.
AM: Wow, talk about timing.
WP: The best part about it is they have the whole rebirth too. We’ve turned it into something that will help folks understand what methamphetamines do to people. The doctors come on and tell you exactly what the addiction is.
AM: That is so important. It will help many people.
WP: They’ve got me living through it. I’m extremely proud of it and I hope that people get something good out of it. It was a journey that almost killed me a few times. I’m really glad that I’m alive!
AM: I am too Waylon. You are a very special person. Keep shining your light!
WP: Like I said, I just want to be an inspiration and a beacon. That’s what I do.
Follow Waylon on Twitter https://twitter.com/paynewaylon