School of Rock
Random article All articles A–Z
2 languages

Waylon

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Waylon is the stage name of Willem Bijkerk, a Dutch singer, born in Apeldoorn in 1980. He named himself after his idol Waylon Jennings. As a child he was inspired by country music, played drums in the band West Virginian Railroad and sang along in the TV programme Telekids. In 1997 he signed with EMI and was allowed to record an album in Nashville, which never came out. In 2001 he lived and worked in the United States for a year and performed with Waylon Jennings.

Music and breakthrough

His breakthrough came in 2008 with the first season of Holland's Got Talent, where he reached the final with It's a Man's Man's Man's World by James Brown. Universal signed him as the first Dutchman on the Motown label. His debut album Wicked Ways was released in 2009, with the single Wicked Way. In 2010 he won a 3FM Award for best newcomer. After that came After All in 2011 and Heaven After Midnight in 2014, which topped the Dutch album chart.

Influence

In 2014 he formed the duo The Common Linnets with Ilse DeLange. With the country and bluegrass song Calm After the Storm they came second at the Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. Waylon left the group after a concert in June of that year. In 2016 Seeds was released, an album in every style with the disco single Our Song, and in 2018 he entered the Eurovision Song Contest as a soloist with Outlaw in 'Em. He has also been a coach on television programmes such as The Voice of Holland. Waylon brought Nashville country to a broad Dutch audience.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to Calm After the Storm by The Common Linnets and notice the harmony singing of two voices above the acoustic guitars. Can you hear how the voices alternate and then carry on together?

Discography

Studio albums

Categories: Artists