Maps of Music

Too Dumb for New York City, Too Ugly for L.A. (1992)

Where the lyrics of Too Dumb for New York City, Too Ugly for L.A. take you, and where it was really made.

Epic sat on this record, and the label's push for a radio promotion job became the final straw that ended Waylon Jennings's time on a major label.

Place unknown

Do you know where this album was recorded, or where its cover was shot? Tell us and we will add it to the map.

Too Dumb for New York City, Too Ugly for L.A.: the 39th studio album by American country music artist Waylon Jennings
Released in 1992 on Epic Records
Ten tracks, opening with "Just Talkin'"
Jennings' third and final album on Epic
Previous Epic albums: The Eagle (1990) and Clean Shirt (1991), a split album with Willie Nelson
Marked the end of Jennings' days of being signed to a major imprint

Jennings reunited with producer Richie Albright, ex-Waylors drummer, for the album
The goal was to find the key to the sound the two had created together in the seventies
Doug Johnson, the new head of A&R at Epic, began phoning the studio during recording
Johnson suggested changes: alter verses and choruses, remix and remaster
Jennings said these requests thwarted the effort to recapture the old sound
By the time the album came out in 1992, both Jennings and Albright were angry at the label's handling of it

Born June 15, 1937 in Littlefield, Texas; American country singer, songwriter, musician, actor, and author.
Considered one of the pioneers of the outlaw movement in country music.
Played in the Texas Longhorns as a teen; worked as a DJ at KLLL in Lubbock.
Played bass for Buddy Holly on the Winter Dance Party tour; gave up his seat on the plane that crashed in 1959.
Led the Waylors at JD's club in Phoenix, Arizona, developing a rock-influenced country style.
Signed with RCA Victor in 1965; gained creative control in the early 1970s with Lonesome, On'ry and Mean and Honky Tonk Heroes.
Had a number-one hit with "Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way" from Dreaming My Dreams.
Recorded Wanted! The Outlaws with Willie Nelson, Tompall Glaser, and Jessi Colter, the first platinum country album.
Narrated and sang the theme for The Dukes of Hazzard, "Good Ol' Boys", which became his biggest hit.
Joined Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, and Johnny Cash in the Highwaymen.
Overcame cocaine addiction in 1984.
Inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2001; died February 13, 2002 in Chandler, Arizona.

Epic held the record back for a long time, and the label's handling of the project angered both Jennings and Albright
Jennings' singles "Just Talkin'" and the title track were released as singles, but failed to chart
The label asked Jennings to call up radio stations and influence them to play the record, which he refused to do
Jennings wrote the short liner notes himself, thanking several individuals

Jennings' label asked him to call radio stations and push the record, the final straw at Epic.
The short liner notes thanking several individuals were written by Jennings himself.
The Discogs release notes describe a four-page foldout booklet with lyrics and credits.
The Italian edition listing gives the Epic release month as August 1992.