Today In Country Music History: Waylon Jennings’ “I’m A Ramblin’ Man” at #1 on the Billboard Charts

Depending on who you talk to, you could make the argument that Waylon Jennings is the greatest country music star of all time. The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee and a pioneer in the outlaw country music movement, Jennings’ contributions to the industry are unmatched.

Forty-eight years ago today (Sept. 28, 1974) was an important day for Waylon Jennings: It was on that date that his single "I'm a Ramblin' Man," from his The Ramblin' Man album, soared to the top of the charts.

"I'm a Ramblin' Man," which became Jennings' second No. 1 hit, was written by Ray Pennington, who released the song on his own for Capitol Records in 1967. But it was Jennings who made the song a success, singing the lines such as "I've been down to Mississippi / Down through New Orleans / Yes, I have / I've played in California / There ain't too much I haven't seen / No, there ain't / Lord, I'm a ramblin' man / Don't fool around with a ramblin' man" with such an authentic, believable voice that it became one of his signature songs.

This 1989 performance for Austin City Limits was a big one for Jennings as he had just overcome some hardships with his health and addiction. Months before he took this stage, he kicked his six-pack-a-day cigarette habit and underwent major heart surgery.

Needless to say Waylon's timeless sound can still be found today!