THE HIGHWAYMEN poll

Johnny, Willie close second.

My dad loved this album. Probably still does.

Kristofferson vote for me. i know i'll be in the minority, but ...

This is a battle between Johnny and Willie and anyone who disagrees is a god-damned liar.

I have never bothered to listen to this album, despite loving everyone involved. otoh, the 80s

"This is a battle between Johnny and Willie and I'll stand on Kris Kristofferson's coffee table in my cowboy boots and say that." - a hilarious joke answer

waylon stooge over here

Cash, Willie incredibly close race for #1
then Waylon, Kris.

overall? Nelson.

Voted Cash, but now thinking I should have voted Willie. It's that close.

I've never warmed to Kristofferson's voice.

people tell me that about kristofferson a lot. breaks heart.

all these dudes are great

it's tough to rank these bros. willie is probably the tops.

but i feel like throwing a vote to KK too.

if i was drinking enough beer, you might get me to argue that kristofferson has written more great songs than the other three...

kris

True Story: As a 5 year old, I was so moved by Kristofferson's "Help Me Make It Through The Night" that I actually cried. A few years ago I looked that song up again and listened to every version he released to relive that defining musical experience. But none of them sounded like I remembered.

Turns out it was Johnny Cash's version.

you might get me to argue that kristofferson has written more great songs than the other three...

dude waht. I mean all these guys have their different strengths but Willie's catalog of self-penned classics is DEEP

young me would've voted for Johnny Cash the drug-addled rebel
me from a decade or two ago would've voted for Willie
but current me spends most of my time listening to Waylon (if for no other reason than he just seems to have made more records than Willie)
Kristofferson I respect as a songwriter and all around bro but he's def on the bottom in my estimation

Waylon's also, nominally, the most "rock" of any of these guys. dude could really boogie. Willie's more laconic, in general.

that's how I feel about Jennings

i.e. bottom of my list after Kristofferson. Dude's voice just annoys me and he takes the outlaw schtick seriously. No wonder Stevie Nicks wrote "Leather and Lace" for him and Jessi.

Waylon's voice is definitely odd. it's grown on me though.

Waylon over Willie by a whisker

full disclosure: kris is my kousin

i see my disclosure cowed everyone into silence. anyway, you can get this complete atlantic willie nelson box set for a mere $2.99 at amazon mp3! http://www.amazon.com/The-Complete-Atlantic-Sessions/dp/B00123KDP6/ref=tmm_msc_title_0

the legacy of Cash 'round here can get a little overbearing, but he's no doubt classic. and KK's first 2-3 records are untouchable (really not too familiar w/ his stuff after). so for me this comes down to Willie or Waylon. 10-15 years ago this would have been Willie easily. gonna have to think on it.

Tempted to write in Chips Moman, but no.

I'm suffering from a little Cash backlash these days, so I am leaning toward Willie at the moment.

tylerw, what is the lowdown on Kris? I could almost go for him in this poll if I hadn't been traumatized by "A Star is Born" as a small child.

like Willie is one of the best songwriters living, but Waylon had a really nice stretch of some of my favorite records ever. his voice is def a grower.

never got to see Waylon live, and it would've been well past his prime even if i had. i've heard he was outstanding. i saw Willie about 11 years ago and he was still pretty great.

all these dudes are awesome but i voted waylon

the title track freaked me out when i was a little kid

catch different parts of this gig on youtube all the time:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw1bHaUk1CM

waylon killin it live throughout, nelson on fine voice on the night but could be patchy, cash well past prime and kristofferson eh well he's got 'character'. studio, tho, i'd rather listen to kk musing and croaking and hittin those occasional whiskeyed deep notes (i could spin the pilgrim for days on end and never get tired)

Willie, easy.

Another one for Willie

never got to see Waylon live, and it would've been well past his prime even if i had. i've heard he was outstanding. i saw Willie about 11 years ago and he was still pretty great.

I saw the Highwaymen live - in Atlantic City - about 20 years ago. Willie was in top form, he'd just done an album w/Don Was. Waylon's voice was a bit ragged but he was game and workin'. Johnny Cash hadn't hooked up w/Rick Rubin yet I don't think and he seemed in bad health. Kris didn't sing that much and just kinda walked thru it. W & W were outstanding. Before the show I interviewed Willie for a NY newspaper in his tour bus and when we finished he smiled and said to me and the photographer "you boys want to smoke a joint?" :D

full disclosure: kris is my kousin

krissing kousin

i mean it's not like we're super klose or anything...

"I was a sai-LOR..."

Automatic thread bump. This poll is closing tomorrow.

Automatic thread bump. This poll's results are now in.

Damn right.

Is it just me or is the title track everywhere at the moment?

waylon's voice is undeniable wtf is everyone talking about upthread?