The memoir, An Outlaw and a Lady: A Memoir of Music, Life with Waylon, and the Faith That Brought Me Home, will be released April 11th, 2017. Written with David Ritz—whose known for his collaborative biographies with folks like Willie Nelson and Ray Charles, the book covers Colter’s innovative musical career from singing in church to performing beside Waylon, Willie, and Johnny Cash as part of the Wanted: The Outlaws phenomenon. Jessi was the first woman ever to receive the Album of the Year Award from the CMA (Country Music Association) and played a critical role in the formulation of women in country in the 70s, and was an integral part of the “outlaw” country movement that included her husband Waylon, as well as Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson. Along with Wanted: The Outlaws becoming the first ever platinum-selling record in country music history, Jessi Colter achieved success beyond the shadow of the big male-dominated Outlaw names with #1 and top 10 hits. It’s public knowledge that Waylon struggled with heavy drug and alcohol addiction throughout his life. An Outlaw and a Lady tackles the tumultuous condition of their marriage at times, and how their faith and music weaved within that. Colter still lives in Arizona where Waylon eventually got clean, and where he was laid to rest in 2002. The daughter of a Pentecostal evangelist and a race-car driver, the book also chronicles Jessi’s return to faith, and how Waylon shared that faith with her in the latter stages of his life. This is a special memoir because no one has ever heard their story. She has a new album releasing this month as well to coincide with the book.
