Primary Wave Music Partners with the Estate of Jerry Jeff Walker

Leading independent publisher Primary Wave Music has announced a new partnership with the estate of legendary country and folk singer-songwriter, Jerry Jeff Walker. Terms of the deal include partnering with the estate on Walker’s music publishing catalog, as well as his recording copyrights and artist royalties.

The new relationship will also provide access to the estate to Primary Wave’s marketing team and publishing infrastructure, working closely on new marketing, branding, digital, and synch opportunities, as well as film and television projects.

Included in the deal are some of Jerry Jeff’s biggest hits across his 50-plus decades in music, such as “Mr. Bojangles,” “Sangria Wine,” “Railroad Lady,” “Trashy Women,” and more. Perhaps his best known song, “Mr. Bojangles,” was released in 1968 and went on to become an American pop standard. It garnered Walker a Grammy nomination for Best Country Vocal Performance (Male), and would go on to be covered by a number of heavy hitting artists, including Bob Dylan, Harry Belafonte, Nina Simone, and Sammy Davis, Jr.

The deal also includes an agreement for Jerry Jeff Walker’s recorded masters, in partnership with his label Tried & True Music, to be released and distributed through the legendary Sun Records. For future releases, Sun Records will provide overall catalog marketing strategy, including streaming, social media marketing, and physical releases.

“When JJ passed, Jimmy Buffett was first at my door asking what he could do,” said Susan Walker, Jerry Jeff’s wife and longtime manager. “‘Help me find the perfect home for JJ’s catalog and label,’ I asked. And he did. May both their words and songs be remembered and cherished forever. Bubbles up!”

“A friend of mine had one final wish before he passed away — a big party with his favorite artist, Jerry Jeff Walker, performing live,” shared Samantha Rhulen, SVP of Business and Legal Affairs. “He got his wish. I will always remember that night and what Jerry Jeff’s music did for him and all of our friends. Primary Wave is honored to partner with the Walker family and will ensure that Jerry Jeff is remembered for the impact his music has made on so many people.”

In the early 1970s, Jerry Jeff Walker became one of the arbiters of the internationally famous Austin musical community alongside Willie Nelson. His songs are “the way he makes the world make sense, how he passed on stories of the people he met, the way he felt on a given morning.” He has celebrated the music of peers like Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt, and served as a fountainhead and inspiration to younger musicians like Robert Earl Keen, Pat Green, Jack Ingram, and Garth Brooks.