Hank3: “I’ll Be Seeing Y’all On The Road Real Soon”
There has been a Hank3 sighting, even if it was via the miracle of video.
At Wednesday night’s (2-15) Ameripolitan Awards hosted by Dale Watson and Ray Benson, Hank Williams III, who not much has been seen or heard of for a few years now, was up for Best Outlaw Male. Along with Dale Watson, Hank3 had a significant impact in helping to form a country music underground that has given rise to things such as Ameripolitan, and even the success of artists like Sturgill Simpson. But as underground and independent country has been making its biggest strides, Hank3 has been absent from the spotlight.
Some wondered why Hank3 would even be up for an award when he hasn’t released a new album since 2013, and hasn’t been touring in a number of years. But like many of the Ameripolitan awards, it’s not just about the impact of an artist today, but over their careers, and Hank3’s impact is hard to question. Perhaps there was also some hope that giving Hank3 an award might coax him out from the shadows where he’s been lingering for the last little while.
And with the strong support Hank3 still enjoys, he won the fan-voted 2017 Ameripolitan for Best Outlaw Male handedly. Fans hoping Shelton would be there in person were disappointed, but he did make a video for the presentation. Hank3 didn’t say much, but he did thank the Ameripolitan awards for the distinction, as well as “I’ll be seeing y’all on down the road real soon,” which is a welcome sign from Hank3 fans.
Hank3 explained to SiriusXM’s Alamo Jones in January of 2016 that his disappearance is partly due to having to vacate his semi-famous “Haunted Ranch” in east Nashville. And packing and hauling all his accumulated stuff has proved to be a herculean effort.
“Been having to rebuild camp,” Hank3 said as he co-hosted a show with Alamo Jones from the famous Jack Clement Cowboy Arms Hotel and Recording Spa in Nashville. “No camp, no war. So once the camp is officially taken care of, we’ll be back in the trenches … Musical gear and all that stuff just piles up. You hold on to everything. It’s almost like homesteading in its own sort of certain way.”
Hank3’s favorite dog Trooper also past way recently.
Also for those who can’t wait to hear Hank3’s voice again on some new music, he actually appeared on a track by Rudy Parris recently called “Makin’ My Way” that flew under most people’s radar. Rudy is a singer, songwriter, and guitarist from the San Joaquin Valley in California who has played residencies at Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace in Bakersfield. He’s also known for competing on Season 3 of NBC’s “The Voice.”
“Making’ My Way” is the title track off of Rudy’s 2016 album recorded at the famous Capitol Records Studio B in California, and also features appearances from Little Joe and Dwight Yoakam collaborator Pete Anderson. You can hear the track below.
So for many Hank3 fans, at least there are positive signs that Hank3 could re-emerge in 2017, while Saving Country Music has also heard murmurings that Hank3 might be pursuing touring with other headline-level artists in the future. In the past Hank has toured with himself, or with an opener.
Stay tuned.
hoptowntiger94
February 17, 2017 @ 10:43 am
It will be so interesting to see where he fits into the changed landscape. So much has happened in country music since his last album. I still regard him as #1, but 2-5 (Sturgill, Turnpike Troubadours, Jinks, Isbell .. and many others) have made inroads in the scene.
Jtrpdx
February 17, 2017 @ 8:48 pm
. I don’t think he will ever share the same success as isbell (more of an Indy / Americana artist than country) or Sturgill (ten times the songwriter and more wide reaching with his unique style). Nor does he have the mass southern rock appeal of a Stapleton. I think he will fit right in with the underground yet gaining in popularity group of Whitey, Jinks, etc.
Scott S.
February 17, 2017 @ 10:54 am
Some new Hank3 would be great.
Aaron
February 17, 2017 @ 10:58 am
The “other headline level artists” thing bums me out. A Hank3 show is such a singular experience, clocking in around four hours, with two hours of country getting progressively louder followed by two hours of metal. It’s hard to see anything like that working at the Xfinity Center with two other acts.
Isaac
February 17, 2017 @ 1:01 pm
I think he’s just wanting a co-headliner as far as booking slightly larger theatres than the last tour had, not arenas.
The first time I saw Hank 3 was on tour with Nashville Pussy and Reverend Horton Heat. THAT was a pretty damn good show.
Aaron
February 17, 2017 @ 1:13 pm
I hope you are right.
hoptowntiger94
February 17, 2017 @ 1:05 pm
I remember years ago in an interview Shelton stated he wanted to eventually do the “family” touring thing like Willie. I’m not sure exactly what that means. Does it mean with his sister and Jr.? Or people he regards as his music family?
johnny k
February 17, 2017 @ 11:34 am
Or maybe he just wasn t interested in participating in the award show. I think the underground artists involved in those awards can find a better way to have a little light shone on them than participating in award shows.
The fans know who they are, getting a pat on the back by their underground fellows mimicking the big shots is just … out of place, at least to me. I love Dale, and Ray Benson, and all of them, but maybe getting different tours with different artists ( Let s say Dale ‘s rockabilly gigs / Dale ‘ s outlaw gig / Dale s old timers gig ) would be more interesting in spreading the word than an award thingie.
Jacob W
February 17, 2017 @ 1:32 pm
Like someone else said, I like to see where he fits in today’s underground landscape. Partially due to the idea that mainstream just means you have corporate backers, the underground is evaporated. If you go by record sold, which equals attention paid, Chris and Sturgill are mainstream. And with the internet and the ability to dig deep to find talented country music, the mainstream and what used to be the underground/altcountry are basically on the same playing field. The odds are still tilted to one side, but at least they are in the same arena now.
The other reason I wonder and worry is HANK III s back catalog can hold up on it’s own, but compared to the incredibly talented songwriters and musicians surfacing now it really doesn’t rank as high. Justin Wells, Cody Jinks, Isbell, Turnpike, and a bunch of others are really putting out top notch stuff. In comparison Hank almost falls into the same category as wheeler walker Jr, just one step up substance wise. What I’m saying is he better have some seriously quality output at this point to compete.
Travis
February 17, 2017 @ 2:09 pm
I think Hank has his own niche where he’ll do fine if/when he comes back. Although I would agree there are better songwriters, I’d rather go to a Hank3 show more than any of the other artists you mentioned, even if I respect the others songwriting abilities more. Buying an album may be another story, but most likely I’ll buy a new Hank album when I’m at the show as I think most people would. I’ve had several instances where I’m at a random show talking to a stranger and they start talking about how Hank3 was one of their favorite live shows and they wish he was out touring now. If he puts out new music that works for his style, there will be people lined around the block like usual, even if his songwriting isn’t at the level of those you mentioned. That’s my opinion anyway.
hoptowntiger94
February 17, 2017 @ 2:12 pm
Hank3 still gets regular plays on Sirius Outlaw. I checked dogstarradio and today they played Lookey Yonder Commin, If The Shoe Fits, and 7 Months, 39 Days. Yesterday: The Outlaw Ways, Six Pack of Beer, Marijuana Blues, and Outlaw Convention.
Chris
February 17, 2017 @ 2:51 pm
This is great news.
I would like to catch a show or 2 and also pick up some new work whenever he puts something out.
FLYINGBURRITO2486
February 17, 2017 @ 2:58 pm
Can’t wait to hear some new stuff from Hank, but that song was horrible.
Elisa
February 17, 2017 @ 6:29 pm
Can’t wait for Hank to come back to San Diego! I have seen him once in Kansas City and 2 times in San Diego . Great show every time! Plus always hangs out after the show. Have got his autograph every show and of course a picture with him as well.
ShadeGrown
February 18, 2017 @ 4:50 am
Looking forward to it. I’ll say it again – the best night of the year is when Hank3 comes to town. I look forward to a new album as well. To me he’s like the Tony Iommi of country music rythym guitar.
ShadeGrown
February 18, 2017 @ 9:49 am
Great news. Best night of the year is when Hank3 comes through town.
ShadeGrown
February 18, 2017 @ 11:59 am
This is me above, btw. I wouldn’t have posted twice but it didn’t get ok’d by the site for hours. Anyway, I love Hank3 music. I think his past couple releases have been underrated, though I admit they don’t flow as seamlessly as STH. Selfishly I’d like to see Shelton continue to go it alone but I suppose if he got on the right tour it’d work as an opener.
Killer
February 18, 2017 @ 10:12 am
Man that song is terrible I hope this isn’t the direction III is planning on taking on his return. I have been a huge III fan since the beginning, but his last couple records since he left curb, have not been my favorites, I know there will never be another straight to hell but I can hope for something close…
ShadeGrown
February 18, 2017 @ 11:52 am
???! You can’t possibly believe this could be a direction he is taking. Obviously he is helping out a friend.
Trigger
February 18, 2017 @ 12:53 pm
Hank3 just guested on the track. I wouldn’t reading anything into it beyond appearing on some else’s song.
dave
February 18, 2017 @ 10:25 am
Probley will never happen but I would love to see Hank 3 Hank jr and holly do a few shows together
Charlie
February 21, 2017 @ 1:06 pm
I’d lay 10 miles of cable through the desert just to hear Holly Williams fart over the phone.
Farmer Brian
February 18, 2017 @ 11:09 am
This is awesome news. Can’t wait to hear some new Hank material and hopefully catch him live.
CarrieAnne
February 18, 2017 @ 4:21 pm
I love you. I hope you’re doing well Hank3. Never sell out! You’re better than that
Rob
February 20, 2017 @ 9:36 pm
While I miss hearing new music and seeing him out on the road, I’m glad Shelton finally took a much deserved break. He went non stop for a good 10 years straight, and it was probably time to step back reset, and reevaluate.
Hopefully when he decides to come back around, he’ll have something that will knock our dicks in the dirt.
Bill
February 21, 2017 @ 12:32 pm
Awesome news, I’ve literally been waiting years to see III in concert for the first time, at this point I’d even make a trip if he didn’t come close to LA.
And if he does release a new album, I really don’t care where it fits in today’s landscape. Dude’s always lived in a musical bubble and I hope it remains that way.
Charlie
February 21, 2017 @ 1:04 pm
TGH3!
Rudy Parris
March 8, 2017 @ 6:19 am
Hank is just doing a guest spot on the record. No need to worry folks he does his own thing.
Wesley Gray
March 11, 2017 @ 8:15 pm
This is exciting! I saw this on Shelton’s official website a minute ago and naturally headed to SCM to celebrate! can’t wait to go to a Hank 3 show again. My family and friends are all big fans. As for a new album, that’,s exciting, too. I wasn’t a huge fan of Ghost to a Ghost, Guttertown, OR Brothers of the 4×4 at first but these albums have grown on me tremendously over the last few years. One thing I think we would all live to see, though, is perhaps abandonment of the ancient workstation he has been using since STH. Think of a Hank 3 record produced by Dave Cobb, for example. But we’ll see. Hank 3 is stubborn. Hank 3 is off the grid. Hank 3 doesn’t give a shit about the critics…and that’s why many of us love him, as exaspersting as he can be at times. Good news!!
Jerry Slight
May 30, 2017 @ 6:11 pm
A friend of mine turned me on to Hank III about five years ago I haven’t stopped listening since. I love the raw honesty of Hank lll’s music. And agree that pop country music really sucks. I would love to see a live show, so anytime you’re in northern Ohio or near my hometown of Toledo please stop and melt our faces.
Thank you. Jerry Slight
CountryKnight
August 16, 2022 @ 7:31 pm
Soon was longer than expected.