With the release of his new album, The Other Life, earlier this month, Shooter Jennings has further established himself as country music's Renaissance man. For most artists, recording and distributing new music would be enough, but Shooter prefers a full plate. To complement the album, he oversaw and starred in a creepy companion film, also titled The Other Life. In addition, he is working with other like-minded artists as a producer, and recently performed at a benefit for his old high school in Nashville with drummer Steve Gorman from The Black Crowes and Bobby Keys, sax player for The Rolling Stones.

"It was a fundraiser thing. It  was really cool, raising money for the arts and the school. Steve put it together and I was more than happy to do it," says Shooter, rattling off some other projects occupying his time. "I went to Chicago to produce a record on a band called Last False Hope. Then I went to work on a track for a Wanda Jackson tribute record that Jack White is doing."

In between, he's playing the occasional show and is gearing up for a larger tour in support of The Other Life, including an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, where the twangy songs of his new album should fit right in. A duet with Patty Griffin, "Wild and Lonesome," in particular, sounds like something his mom and dad, Jessi Colter and Waylon Jennings, could have cut.

"Patty [appeared on Waylon tribute album] The Music Inside. I really loved her voice on it and she was really on my radar," Shooter says. "I reached out to her and she did it. I’m really proud of that one."

For more on Shooter and his new album, pick up the March 25 issue of Country Weekly, on stands now. And to win a special edition of The Other Life on purple vinyl, click here.