About the Song
A tribute from country giants to a ramblin’ soul who carved his own trail.
On their 2007 album Cowboy Town, Brooks & Dunn paused the honky-tonk fire just long enough to tip their hats—and their hearts—to one of country music’s most colorful legends: Jerry Jeff Walker. In “The Ballad of Jerry Jeff Walker,” they team up with the man himself for a track that feels like a passing of the torch, a celebration of independence, and a love letter to outlaw spirit.
Known for writing the timeless “Mr. Bojangles,” Jerry Jeff Walker was never one to follow the rules. He blazed a trail through Austin, Texas, long before it was cool. He played by feel, not by formula. And in this song, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn—outlaws in their own right—acknowledge just how much he shaped the path they traveled.
Musically, the track is laid-back but steeped in soul, a warm blend of acoustic guitar, dusty harmonica, and that unmistakable Texas attitude. It doesn’t try to be slick. It just is—raw, real, and reverent. As they sing about Jerry Jeff’s wild days, dusty roads, and songs that said the things no one else would, you can feel the affection in every line.
And when Jerry Jeff himself joins in, the moment becomes more than just a song—it becomes a conversation between generations. It’s not just a tribute. It’s a thank-you.
For fans who grew up on the fringes of Nashville and danced to the beat of a different drum, “The Ballad of Jerry Jeff Walker” is a reminder that the real legends don’t always follow maps—they draw them.