Jennings proud of family heritage

NEW YORK — Sometimes, the offspring of famous parents view their lineage as more of a burden than a benefit — especially when they pursue the same profession.

You won't hear any of that talk from Shooter Jennings. The son of the late country legend Waylon Jennings and singer Jessi Colter, Jennings is more than proud to draw from his rich musical heritage.

His debut album, "Put the O Back in Country," is a bit of a tribute to his dad's outlaw image and has that gritty, Southern rock sound that Waylon Jennings helped to pioneer. He even makes a brief appearance as his father in the upcoming Johnny Cash biopic "Walk the Line," starring Joaquin Phoenix.

Jennings looked every bit the outlaw with his scruffy beard, long brown hair and dark sunglasses as he sat down with The Associated Press at an East Village eatery (and was briefly interrupted when his girlfriend, "Joey" actress Drea de Matteo, popped by to say hi and steal a kiss).

Jennings talked about growing up a Jennings, being a rocker in Los Angeles and why de Matteo might want to give him some acting lessons.

Associated Press: You spent the first few years of your career as part of the Los Angeles rock band Stargunn — why did you go in that direction?

Jennings: When I was younger, my dad always told me, "You should just go by Shooter and go do your thing." I think I always wanted to hide behind the band and always kind of imagined having a band where everybody was doing equal things and being a gang. I didn't realize it isn't about the band name, because I'm that way with my guys now. Going out under my own name was more of me being able to do my own thing.

Associated Press: Why did you leave for Los Angeles instead of trying to make it in Nashville?

Jennings: I don't know if it was me not thinking I had what it took to do that, or being scared about the entire circus, I don't know why. . . . Part of it was I didn't want to go places where people would be (saying), "Waylon Jennings' son." But I never could avoid that anyway. Even when we played with Stargunn, they would say, "Featuring Waylon's son," and they wouldn't even say Shooter. (Laughs.)

Associated Press: Did you feel uncomfortable criticizing the lack of "outlaws" in country being that you could be considered an outsider by some?