“They Told Me to Be Nice”: The Story Behind Waylon Jennings’ Iconic 1975 CMA Speech

It doesn't get more badass on an awards show stage than this.

Tonight, as the 2025 CMA Awards light up Nashville, we're looking back at one of the most iconic moments in CMA history - Waylon Jennings’ 1975 acceptance speech, a moment that perfectly captured the rebellious spirit of Jennings and 'outlaw country' on the whole.

It was 1975, and Waylon Jennings was already challenging the Nashville establishment. Known for bucking the system, fighting for creative control, and defying the polished norms of country music, Waylon wasn’t about to play by anyone’s rules — not even the CMA’s.

That night, Jennings was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Entertainer of the Year, among other awards. Tension hung heavy in the air: he suspected “block voting” amongst the record labels, and already had a testy relationship with the association. At the 1970 ceremony, the CMAs told Waylon that he either had to cut down the performance of his song 'Only Daddy'll Walk That Line', or leave entirely. Waylon being Waylon, rightly standing up for what he believed in, he walked.

Returning five years later, Jennings and his wife, Jessi Colter, arrived at the ceremony. Upon entering the Ryman Auditorium, the couple were made aware by his manager, Neil Reshen, that Colter was not set to win anything. Angered by the revelation and the fact that the awards had been revealed ahead of time, Jennings was prepared to walk again.

Persuaded by Jessi to stay for the proceedings, the couple took their seats. It lead to one of the most famous moments of the CMA Awards.

When Waylon was announced as the Male Vocalist of the Year, he walked to the microphone and delivered the one liner that would go down in CMA history:

As you can watch below, there was no long list of thank-yous, no public smiles - just a short, sharp acknowledgment that stunned the audience.

While most were stunned into silence, host Glen Campbell quipped once Waylon had left the stage: “It’s about damn time”. It drew a huge cheer of appreciation from those in attendance, showing the true love and adoration both artists and fans had for the 'The Ramblin' Man'.

While the statement itself may seem innocuous enough, to those watching, it was a cheeky dig at the association itself and the industry's perception of him. As Waylon's son Shooter Jennings later revealed in an interview with Holler, Jennings was not the tough-hearted outlaw they painted him as;

Waylon’s speech wasn’t just memorable for its brevity or shock value. It symbolised Jennings' devout belief in standing up for what he believed was right. By not conforming to industry expectations, and speaking out against them, Waylon made it perfectly clear that he would always stay true to his art, on his terms.

Waylon prioritised honesty and creative control over flattering the establishment, showing the world what it truly meant to be an outlaw.

This moment was one of many that helped define the outlaw country movement, inspiring generations of artists to fight for creative freedom.

Even decades later, this story resonates — reminding fans that the most memorable moments are often born from honesty and defiance, not scripted applause at an awards show.

As we watch the 2025 CMA Awards ceremony unfold, Waylon Jennings’ legendary 1975 speech serves as a touchstone — a moment of bold authenticity that continues to define what it means to be a true country icon.

It was a simple line, but one that still echoes across the CMA Awards stage decades later.

For more on Waylon Jennings, see below: