For the vast majority of Steve Earle’s studio LPs, beginning with the 1986 neo-traditional classic Guitar Town, he has used other inspiring works to build a sonic template before recording. For his latest, the raucous So You Wannabe an Outlaw, out today, the Texas-born musician, novelist and actor unapologetically channels Waylon Jennings – in particular, the rebellious, monumentally influential Honky Tonk Heroes-era Waylon, who took creative control of his musical destiny with that 1973 album, largely penned by fellow renegade Billy Joe Shaver.

Earle reflects back on Jennings’ influence over his career, why he wanted to hate Merle Haggard and his tribute to Guy Clark on the new album here.

Photo Credit: Tim Mosenfelder/Getty Images