Boxcar Willie Does Impressions Of Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson & More

Orvil Morris/YouTube

After 16 albums and a 20-year career, Boxcar Willie made quite the name for himself in Nashville. He was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry as its 60th member in 1981 and often paid tribute to his peers by singing covers of their songs.

Because of his closeness to his fellow country stars, he was able to study their mannerisms and began imitating them at some of his shows, which fans always got a kick out of. He was as much of a funnyman as he was a singer.

In this particular video, he performed spot-on impressions of several singers including Whisperin’ Bill Anderson, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash!

He kicked it off singing a Bill Anderson song, who got his nickname because the way he sang, it almost sounded like he was whispering. He then introduced his next impression by saying he was going do “The Outlaws”.

“Give me a hat! Gotta have a hat,” he said as someone brought him a black hat, similar to the one Jennings usually donned. If you closed your eyes, you might think the person singing was actually Waylon Jennings.

Boxcar Willie then sang as another famous Willie, Willie Nelson, while wearing a bandana and braids.

“Kinda makes you wish you paid more for your ticket, don’t it,” he asked the crowd, who was in hysterics. He started singing and sounded just like Nelson!

Jennings and Nelson have extremely different voices, so for Boxcar Willie to be able to sound just like both of them is absolutely incredible!

After he took off his braids, he told the crowd he was going to do an impression of The Man In Black, which garnered lots of applause.

He, yet again, pulled off another spot-on impression of Johnny Cash, including his unique way of playing the guitar, and we’re not quite sure how he does it! Watch the hysterical, yet incredible performance below.

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About the Author

Jennifer Pernicano

Hey there! My name is Jen, and I grew up in Los Angeles. I moved further down the coast to San Diego in 2011 and have been here ever since! I first moved to San Diego County to attend Cal State San Marcos, where I was recruited to play soccer.

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