Nashville Cats: A Conversation with Drummer Richie Albright

2 PM – 3:30 PM

Drummer Richie Albright played a major role in shaping the distinctive Waylon Jennings sound. He joined Jennings as his drummer in Arizona, in the early 1960s, and charted a new career path for Jennings in 1970s Nashville.

​Albright played drums for Jennings for nearly thirty years. He became one of Jennings’s closest confidants and, eventually, his producer. Jennings called Albright “my right hand.” Raised in Bagdad, Arizona, Albright became a member of the Waylors in 1964. The Waylors built a local following at J.D.’s, in Tempe, Arizona. Jennings and Albright moved to Nashville in 1966. At Albright’s suggestion, Jennings adopted rock attitude and production values. Albright played on classic Jennings albums including Lonesome On’ry and Mean, Honky Tonk Heroes, and Dreaming My Dreams. Albright has worked with Johnny Cash, Jessi Colter, Willie Nelson, Johnny Rodriguez, Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White, and Hank Williams Jr. He continues to tour with Waymore’s Outlaws, made up of members of Jennings’s last band. Albright’s Ludwig Red Sparkle drum kit is on display in the museum’s exhibit Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ʼ70s. This interview will include vintage photos, film, and recordings. After the program, Albright will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters. Presented in support of the exhibit Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ʼ70s. Ford Theater. The program will be streamed live at www.countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming.