Despite Co-Headlining Tour, Hank Jr. Has No Clue Who Chris Stapleton Is
Hank Williams Jr. and Chris Stapleton are gearing up to embark on an eight-date co-headlining tour through Florida, Texas, and the Midwest starting in Tampa on Friday, August 5th. But according to a recent interview with Hank Jr. ahead of the Tampa gig, he has no idea who Chris Stapleton is, or much of an inclination to find out apparently.
“Well, I haven’t heard the album,” Bocephus told the Tampa Bay Times about Chris Stapleton’s Traveller, which has turned the country music world upside down, been #1 on the country albums charts for what now feels like an eon, and won Stapleton a ton of hardware, including the ACM and CMA for Album of the Year, and well as Grammy distinctions.
“I don’t listen to much radio, so if it somebody that I don’t know, I probably don’t know their music either,” Hank Jr. continued, proving how clueless he is since part of the story behind Stapleton is how radio has virtually ignored him. “I have not worked with Chris in the past, nor do I remember ever meeting him. I always ask any of the artists that open up if they know ‘Family Tradition,’ since that’s my last song in the set, and if they do, I normally ask them to come on out and take a verse and have fun. When that song is done, I am gone. Headed right for the plane to head home.”
Well okay then.
Hank Williams Jr. has been famous over the last few years for only playing 20-25 shows tops, and not doing much else. He’s basically doing the motions through a working retirement. It’s not surprising that he wouldn’t have heard of Stapleton if he makes it a point to avoid mainstream country (which is not a bad practice these days), yet you might think he would put a little bit of effort out if he’s co-headlining with the guy.
“My agent Greg Oswald told me that [Stapleton] was a big fan of my stuff and wanted to do some shows,” Hank Jr. explains. “Normally I don’t know who is opening a show until I get to the show just before going on stage, but Greg really said we should do a package with Chris. They originally wanted me to do like 20 shows, and I picked eight to do with him.”
Regardless of Hank Jr.’s level of knowledge of his co-headliner, the shows should be a pretty kick ass time. Most are sold out, but if you want to try and scramble for tickets, here are the dates:
- Aug. 5 Tampa, FL. — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
- Aug. 6 West Palm Beach, FL. — Coral Sky Amphitheatre
- Aug. 12 Houston, TX. — Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
- Aug. 13 Austin, TX. — Austin360 Amphitheater
- Aug. 19 Cuyahoga Falls, OH. (Cleveland)– Blossom Music Center
- Aug. 20 Clarkston, MI. — DTE Energy Music Theatre
- Aug. 26 Noblesville, IN. (Indianapolis) — Klipsch Music Center
- Aug. 27 Cincinnati, OH. — Riverbend Music Center
August 3, 2016 @ 8:32 am
Hank might as well just scream “Get off my lawn!” the entire time at his shows.
August 3, 2016 @ 8:48 am
Followed by “You whippersnappers!” in it lol
August 3, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
This, so much this. Hank Jr. has really morphed into the “drunk Uncle at Christmas” personality with so much ease it’s scary.
July 14, 2022 @ 11:20 am
Hank Jr .used to know some of the artists like Kentucky headhunters ..Doug stone ..Montgomery gentry . But that was then. Now he leaves it up to his manager to just get someone there to open. I seen at least 60 of his shows in the last 30 or so years. .I seen Steve Warner open for him and the loyal fans of the new boss of country were shouting we want Hank. . Mr Warner said oh my you guys are true Hank Jr fans. And said you will have him in a bit. He is not even on the property yet .he was singing some of his big songs and playing great guitar 🎸 .but that did not matter. .Hank Jr fans can be brutal . .
August 3, 2016 @ 8:36 am
this sounds to me like he’s just being cantankerous toward the media. I’m pretty sure Holly has done a handful of shows with Chris, so I find it hard to believe that she hasn’t at least mentioned his name.
August 3, 2016 @ 8:43 am
Honestly, I’m not surprised at all that Hank Jr. doesn’t know who Chris Stapleton is. I’m just surprised he admitted it. I think Hank Jr. is perpetually stuck in the deer blind, and has no truck for playing the game anymore. Which I can’t totally criticize, though it would be nice to show some love to Stapleton and others who are trying to carry the torch to the next generation.
August 3, 2016 @ 12:25 pm
Yeah he’s 67 years old and I get the feeling he’s just not that into his musical career anymore but he kind of likes the money that these concert dates bring in (and who wouldn’t) so he goes out and plays a few shows every year and if hooking up with some younger more relevant acts helps then so be it.
That is assuming that he really doesn’t know who Stapleton in which may or may not be the case.
August 3, 2016 @ 12:52 pm
Actually you seem to be dead on. Hank, Jr. seems to be more blunt than ever so a liar. That’s why his bluntness brought him into hot water a few years back. It doesn’t really make him less of a person though. Just old, and in this case ignorant.
August 3, 2016 @ 12:28 pm
This doesn’t surprise be at all! In his prime Jr. didn’t even know who was playing in his band! One of the best (and hilarious) podcast by Otis Gibbs was Thanks for Giving a Damn episode 119 “Working for Bocephus.”
Jr. has always been aloof and narrow visioned.
I think it would surprise many the readers of SCM how much artists don’t know or really care about country music. It’s a business to most of them, especially the mainstream. They punch the clock and in their free time aren’t as passionate about country music as us.
August 3, 2016 @ 3:28 pm
Is it on iTunes? It sounds funny and I would like to check it out, thanks
August 3, 2016 @ 5:29 pm
Yes! And I just listened to it again today and it’s golden. The first five minutes of all his podcast is Gibbs rambling about his travels, then he brings in his guest.
August 3, 2016 @ 6:13 pm
I recently listened to that episode and it’s hilarious. I immediately thought of it when I saw the headline for this story.
August 3, 2016 @ 8:28 pm
Omg I just listened to the podcast, it was hilarious! Did Bocephus really fired that dude just for being left handed? Omfg XD
(There is a slight chance I could’ve misheard it but that’s what I thought I heard)
August 4, 2016 @ 4:48 am
Yes! And Paul said for $800 a show, he’d have gladly set up an extra drum kit!!! One of the best stories ever!
August 3, 2016 @ 11:22 pm
“I think it would surprise many the readers of SCM how much artists don’t know or really care about country music. It’s a business to most of them, especially the mainstream. They punch the clock and in their free time aren’t as passionate about country music as us.”
My experiences ” rubbing shoulders with greatness ” , although few and far far between ,have shown me the same, HT . THIS fact alone should be a clue as to why the music on radio is so shitty . Its a business and a really tough one and the ratio of the successful to the not so successful is startling . Even acts we might perceive as being successful are often one poorly received single away from selling shoes for a living ( no offense to shoe salesman ) . I don’t think that’s much of a secret …especially in this musical climate. Which is to say that it makes it all the more special when a ‘veteran’ artist is still trying to be creative and entertaining and even innovative rather than simply punching in for their 90 minute shift once every other weekend like our buddy Hank seems to . Stapleton is no spring chicken but he obviously still understands what passion is about . Tom Jones has released some of the best stuff in his career of late …as has Springsteen . Yeah ….its a business but no one holds a gun at your head to keep doing it if you’re out of steam or passion . Hanks attitude is toxic .
August 5, 2016 @ 2:42 pm
For folks who don’t know Otis Gibbs, his podcast interviews are a goldmine for traditional country and Americana fans. Have a poke around his archives…
https://soundcloud.com/otisgibbs/sets/thanks-for-giving-a-damn-with
He is also a singer-songwriter.
August 3, 2016 @ 1:18 pm
I also think that sometimes with musicians and performers we think that since they can still perform into old age that it means that they are still totally engaged in the industry when in fact I bet most just get tired of it all. I think it can be compared to sports where you will often see an interview with a retired player and they will be asked about a current player and many times they will say they don’t really follow football, baseball, golf or whatever sport they excelled in. It seems that most of the time fans care more than the actual performers who become jaded by it all in both sports and entertainment.
August 3, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
I remember watching a video of an interview Time.com did with Van Morrison. He was asked what music he listens to now and he responded in his clipped Belfast accent that he just listens to his “old jazz and blues records.” As for newer artists he was into? He very dismissively said “Nobody. It’s all been done.”
August 3, 2016 @ 11:28 pm
“I remember watching a video of an interview Time.com did with Van Morrison. He was asked what music he listens to now and he responded in his clipped Belfast accent that he just listens to his “old jazz and blues records.” As for newer artists he was into? He very dismissively said “Nobody. It’s all been done.” ”
Van , while being known as the King of Kranky in the biz, is mostly right . It really HAS all been done in most genres . And often so , so so much better . John Legend , The Weeknd , JT’s latest single ( its just Michael jackson for 2016 ) really just about EVERY mainstream country guy , most mainstream pop acts and most roots acts are frighteningly derivative …outside of the occasional new software-generated sound .
August 4, 2016 @ 8:04 am
Yeah, there is some truth to what he’s saying, but it’s a bit extreme. If that’s the way he really feels, he should have stopped making albums at least about 25 years ago. I have several of his albums from the ’90s and aughts and think some of them are quite good. But none of them are groundbreaking and some of them are decidedly retro.
August 7, 2016 @ 10:26 pm
Actually, I didn’t read into it that he was dissing CS by not knowing him or his work. And really, cant blame him for being short and to the point. If your dad is Hank SR and you’ve grown up around all those country music legends and now see how dumbed down country music has become, Id just do the show and head home after as well. I wouldn’t want to hang around with any of the pop/Bro/Thug country acts either…be painful for a guy of his talent and the talent he has seen in his lifetime to pretend all is well.
July 14, 2022 @ 12:19 pm
Holly has done a bunch of shows with Chris Stapleton. But most artists do not talk music or even listen to much music in their format .A lot of them listen to rock or jazz. Or gospel or blues. Or anything but their own format. ..It goes for rock and pop shit format too ..They just don’t relate to many want a bees and off the beaten path kind of what the hell is that music. . But I will say Hank Jr has had tons of people open for him that no one has heard of yet but after the tour they are well known. So he has made a lot of great friends and a lot of people a boost up when it was needed .some people have even opened for him and after 60 shows he has still not heard their music. Because his opening act goes on about 730 and he does not even get to the venue till about 8.00 .So their set of done and he walks in. Of late the opening act sometimes stays for the end to join him for family tradition and hey good looking .if not they leave before he arrives on the property .
August 3, 2016 @ 8:38 am
This is another example of Hank being a jerk in the press. You might not listen to modern country, but most singers have input of who will be sharing the bill. I can promise you that if the shows are sold out, it will be because CS is opening. Maybe it is time to get your head out of your a** and show the same appreciation to younger artists that you would have wanted if you hadn’t had your daddy’s name.
July 14, 2022 @ 12:02 pm
I do not think not hearing him yet is dissing him. . Hell Jones and the hag and a few other big artists were not played on radio in exchange for pop country crap music of sorts .? Many icons do not even play radio anymore. .I as a fan of real country where an artist should know how to play guitar and have a voice too. I don’t listen to the pop shit they call country ..I can not tell you one artist of the last 10 or so years that is that talented. .Their are only 2 icons left in country music .Hank Jr and Gene Watson. Sure their is the guy from Austin that sings thru his nose .. He been learning to put out music and after 50 years he put out kiss big booty goodbye his first good song. ..
August 3, 2016 @ 8:40 am
LOL
August 3, 2016 @ 8:43 am
Hate to break it to Jr, but the only reason most, if not all, of these shows are sold out, is because of Stapleton.
July 14, 2022 @ 12:51 pm
Oh yeah his one song. Give it away. .lol .A lot of fuse about an artist who at one time never heard of someone. .One would have to listen for 4 hours to country radio today to hear a good male or female vocalist today. .Hell Gene Watson is still the greatest country vocalist around today but you do not hear him played on country radio. .I have not listened to country radio in maybe 10 or more years. I see the TV ads about who is getting awards and I say wow who are these people. Country music died with Waylon and Jones and Dffie and Singletary .and the greatest group ever The Statlers .You don’t hear one of the best all around artists Clint black. .or how about Doug stone or Mark Chestnut.or lorie Morgan. Even the awesome Kathy Mettea retired to raise her children. And in her prime. Maybe the greatest female voice in country music history. .Sure I can see people being opening acts that the headliner never heard of. .Because who listens to what they call country music radio these days. Not one artist of the last 15 years can hold a candle to the above mentioned artist. .Country music has died. I’ only wait for a new release of Gene Watson or Hank Jr. .That is it. .Hank has released tons of cd s . And only one I was completely not impressed with that was wild streak. . and even that had his best song of his career did not like the album. Just that song. . If the south woulda won. .great vocals. Great jazzed up style. He is the blues man. Deluxe . Like ain’t misbehaving. His 2 best song ever ..back when he had a band. .
August 3, 2016 @ 8:46 am
I don’t know what it is, but I know I don’t like it…
August 3, 2016 @ 11:46 am
Hank Jr. knows who Kid Rock is. Hank Jr. does not know who Chris Stapleton is.
August 3, 2016 @ 12:52 pm
True, although like he said, he knows Kid Rock’s music because they’re friends. He doesn’t know Chris’ because they don’t know each other.
Still weird though.
August 3, 2016 @ 8:49 am
He is bullshitting..
Sounds like there may even be a hint of jealousy there.
August 3, 2016 @ 3:38 pm
Yes,by all means.A Country music icon,who has made MILLIONS,(who according to Wikipedia is currently worth 45 million), who has had 4 or 5 ETOY awards,countless other awards,#1 songs out the ass,who was great friends with other icons such as Waylon and Johnny and recorded with them ..
Is jealous of..
CHRIS FRIGGIN STAPLETON.
August 4, 2016 @ 5:55 am
Doesn’t matter what he’s done.. Peoples feelings are feelings. I am not saying it to disparage him. I view it more as the old making way for the new and the feelings that go with it. The veteran not 100% appreciative of the success or ability of the rookie comin in sports type of thing. People living their lives use to the spotlight and attention have a hard time giving it up sometimes to someone else.
July 14, 2022 @ 11:41 am
I think Chris Stapleton is ok. Did you ever hear him miss up tenn whiskey. ? look he can play guitar . but that is it. .And today Hank Jr still does ok even with a bunch of nobody’s as a band. .His band is formed 6 weeks before a tour. .His manager hands some local yokels 6 of his cds and tells them to learn his music .hell the band has not even been out of their backyards .many times the actual music is not even recognize except his own playing and singing . So sometimes it is not as good as ten years ago. But still better then anyone else on the road. And hell he know Gretchen Wilson. .lol I seen her in a concert and she was playing the guitar and singing background. ..And I did not know she was that good on guitar.
August 3, 2016 @ 8:53 am
I’m sure he’s just BSing and trying to get some media attention. But if this is true, I love him even more than I already do. It’s good to know that not everyone has drank the Chris Stapleton Kool-Aid.
August 3, 2016 @ 10:00 am
Ah yes , the Jim Jones Kool Aid…I guess there will be some folks who will not like Stapleton. Although I think most fans of Hanks type of music would likely find a welcoming ear toward it. I would say to you …check out his work as songwriter, lead vocalist and guitarist on the first two Steel drivers albums and then see what you think hoss! Give a listen to midnight train to memphis, Good Corn Liquor, If it hadn’t been for love, Guitars, whiskey, guns and knives, Peacemaker etc and then tell me I’m on Kool Aid!
August 3, 2016 @ 3:01 pm
Have you heard the Jompson Brothers album?
August 3, 2016 @ 12:41 pm
He drank the Kid Rock cool aid.
July 14, 2022 @ 1:28 pm
Kid rock is good. At times. Lol don’t always like his stuff. But tell me if you ever listened to redneck paradise if there has been anything that good come down the road in years. . Hank can take anyone and make them sound good. .He have a great voice and an awesome style and knows how to write a song. . . He can get lost sometimes because he has a bunch of nobodies for a band.. I remember when he spent a whole month with Clint black in the studio they did about 8 . Songs together. . yet he only released hotel whiskey . I wished he would have at least released 3 more. Him and Clint black sounded great together. . but hank always sounds great with other artists. . They asked Hank if he was going to play with Lynyrd Skynyrd . Again after the farewell tour. . He said oh hell yeah . My take of the shows were 12.5 million dollars this year just for playing and having a ball. .But really no the farewell tour is only one year. .lol
August 4, 2016 @ 9:38 am
But what about the Sturgill Simpson Kool-Aid?
August 4, 2016 @ 9:45 am
No argument there. But, and maybe this is just my perception, Sturgill doesn’t seem to get quite the same amount of hero worship that Chris Stapleton has been getting. I guess winning Grammys and doing painful duets with Justin Timberlake will do that for you. Cause for a few months there even this site was basically trying to convince us that Chris Stapleton had died for our sins.
August 4, 2016 @ 11:23 am
It’s the same with Sturgill — there for a bit it seemed like every other article here mentioned him. If he’s not completely relevant, people bring him up anyway. The difference is that Stapleton is in a much more influential place so people dote on that. Still, I find all of the fanboy excuses for the horns, pop covers and Nirvana tune for Sturgill (not to mention his “My music is for SMART people” type talk) to be much more disconcerting than anything about Chris’ southern rock influences or the Justin Timberlake duet. More to the point, that latter sin was at an awards show, not on his record, and at this point the number of country artists who HAVEN’T collaborated with a pop artist is probably much less than those who have.
August 4, 2016 @ 12:16 pm
That’s because they were in the “album cycle” as we call it in this business. I see this complaint all the time. When a high-profile releases an album, they also tend to go on tour, to do interviews, etc. etc., and their name is all over the place. During that time, it looks like a site like SCM is obsessed with them. But then the cycle ends, and there may be 1 or 2 articles about them in the next 6-12 months. That’s how it works.
With Stapleton, that cycle was elongated because off all his award wins, and because his success what such and anomaly.
August 3, 2016 @ 9:30 am
If this is all true just imagine his face after he hears Fire Away live for the first time…..
August 3, 2016 @ 9:55 am
Is that a Hank Jr. face joke? I can’t tell.
If it is, I’ll just repeat what Hank surely said at the bottom of the mountain–‘Ouch!’
August 3, 2016 @ 10:23 am
Hank who?
August 3, 2016 @ 12:04 pm
Nice try, but Hank Jr is far more popular than Stapleton.
August 3, 2016 @ 10:23 am
I guarantee the crowd thins out after Stapleton’s set is over.
The crowd thinned out after Travis Tritt’s set ended when I saw Hank Jr., Tritt, Charlie Daniels Band, and Jo Dee Messina over 20 years ago.
Hank just phones it in now. Not worth seeing.
August 31, 2016 @ 2:18 pm
I saw them in Austin, and you are exactly right. There was a stream of people leaving right after Stapleton ended. Jr. played a few of his own songs, gave the same lines about all the musicians to play “my daddy’s piana” and how he only plays “when i want, to who I want” he does in interviews, and then mostly played songs by waylon, merle, and sr. He’d get half the credit for his “talent” if he had a different name.
August 3, 2016 @ 10:29 am
They played the NYS Fair last summer together?
August 3, 2016 @ 5:56 pm
I believe you’re correct. I think this is just Hank being Hank. I’m a huge Chris Stapleton fan & have friends who are going to one of these Bocephus/Stapleton shows, so I look forward to hearing back from them.
August 3, 2016 @ 10:47 am
Well, Hank, after the show is over, backstage, put your hat in hand, and introduce yourself to Mr. and Mrs. Stapleton. Then, get on your knees, and thank them for selling out that show you just performed.
August 3, 2016 @ 11:03 am
Pfft the image of Hank Jr getting on his knees is funny to me lol
August 3, 2016 @ 10:52 am
Hanks knows who Chris is. He is just playing the media. What’s frustrates me with the Stapleton fans that I know who are jumping on the bandwagon is that I can’t get them to look at other artist who are keep country alive. They are like hell yeah I love Chris but then are talking about the new Rhett song. Even my wife turned up Die a Happy Man last weekend…. Very confusing to me but I guess it is what it is.
August 3, 2016 @ 10:58 am
You mean like the people who play Tennessee Whiskey on the jukebox, followed by House Party? No shit, I know what you mean.
August 3, 2016 @ 11:53 am
To tell you the truth, I don’t think I’m part of the Chris Stapleton bandwagon, I just bought the album because I think it’s a good album (though I do not put it on my all-time favorites lists). I do have that George Strait cut of his on my computer and I got some work that he did with Garth Brooks during his Las Vegas Wynn shows (The Blame It All on My Roots box set). But his Bro-Country cuts, yeah he can kiss my ass on that front.
August 3, 2016 @ 5:22 pm
he’s Taylor Swift for grown ups
August 4, 2016 @ 2:44 am
One thing I forgot to mention, because it slipped my mind, I actually have another Stapleton co-write that he did with Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen called “Til it Does” recorded for Hold My Beer vol. 1. In my opinion I think that track was one of the big highlights of the album because of the crying steel guitar and the old school country lyric mentality.
August 4, 2016 @ 4:47 am
Check out the first two Steeldrivers albums. I was on the Chris Stapleton bandwagon before he was Chris Stapleton.
August 3, 2016 @ 12:04 pm
Of course those two are not playing together anywhere near me. I always see Hank playing in Laughlin, NV.
I’m pretty sure he is just playing the media.
August 3, 2016 @ 3:23 pm
I remember watching an interview with Holly on youtube,and she said the man never listened to music that much at all around the house,or even in the car growing up, and he spent most of his time in the woods. I’m sure not much has changed.
August 3, 2016 @ 3:25 pm
Ha Ha Funny part is you all think Hank is full of shit….. Of course he has heard of stapleton but hes not familiar at all with his music…… I work part time on Hanks Road crew trust me hes not very clued in on stapelton or anyone else in the modern music scene. He could care less hes way more about hunting and fishing he still likes to play a few shows and show off for the crowd and make some extra money but that’s about it….. As far as needing stapleton to have a crowd that’s bullshit we been playing to packed houses all summer so far without him… Hank plays very few shows these days and there always sold out or very close to it
August 3, 2016 @ 5:06 pm
Hank has had 100 badass songs Stapleton has had one decent album. If you trash Hank, you have no business calling it Saving Country Music. What’s so authentic about SCM anymore, its played out. Your just the biggest hipster band wagoner out there. And go to such extremes to prove your not. Did you grow up on a farm, did you grow up in the mountains, do you play an instrument, does your truck break down all the time, do you work 84 hours a week at a real job out in the sun, are you broke as fuck, is your life hard in the slightest bit? Fuck no ,is the answer to all that shit. That’s why you suck up on real country music, envy.
No need for SCM, if they don’t play our music on the radio at this point it doesn’t matter.
We have instant access to whatever we like, your not crusading for anything, the reason that shitty music exists is because there are that many so many low brow dip shits. But worse than them are elitist pricks like you that just want to be cool. Fuck you and congratulations at sucking a million country cocks. Slap the shit out of yourself for even dreaming YOU could down talk Hank Williams Jr. Go write about crock pots, hack……
August 3, 2016 @ 5:46 pm
Well gee, I hadn’t thought of it that way.
August 3, 2016 @ 6:15 pm
Let’s see, petty insults: check. Disregard for the true facts: check. Complete lack of moral backbone: check. I can reach only one logical conclusion: Jacob Ware is Donald Trump in disguise. You heard it here first!
August 3, 2016 @ 6:16 pm
You’re**
If you’re going to trash someone, at least demonstrate a 2nd grade level of English.
August 3, 2016 @ 6:39 pm
I was kinda thinking like “you might want to spell you’re correctly” at the op up there too lol
August 3, 2016 @ 6:37 pm
Jack Ware,
What the fuck are you talking about? If you think this is in any way an attempt to “take down” Hank Jr., you’re delusional. Hank Williams Jr. is a first ballot Country Music Hall of Famer in my book, and I am on record saying his music is who got me passionate about country again, ultimately resulting in me starting this website. Your wild-eyed assumptions about me and my stance on Hank Jr. shows just how uninformed you are.
” Did you grow up on a farm, did you grow up in the mountains, do you play an instrument, does your truck break down all the time, do you work 84 hours a week at a real job out in the sun, are you broke as fuck, is your life hard in the slightest bit? Fuck no ,is the answer to all that shit. “
Lie. And how would you know any of this anyway?
August 3, 2016 @ 8:31 pm
this cat seems to have you pegged Triggerman. or should i say Mr. Fancy Pants blogger?
August 3, 2016 @ 8:53 pm
Alright, I didn’t see his as an article trashing Hank. I don’t always agree with Trigger’s views but that doesn’t mean he’s a complete idiot, different people have different tastes. Although Trigger I do think you’re a bit of a hipster lol. But seriously grow up Jacob Ware
August 4, 2016 @ 4:54 am
What the??? Sounds like your panties got twisted up in your vag while you were working your 84 hr work week or fixing your truck. I’m sure Trig puts all the time he does in to this for the reason of just looking cool. Maybe next time try to comprehend the article before replying. This one wasn’t very tricky or misleading.
August 3, 2016 @ 6:05 pm
I like Stapleton well enough but for all these folks slamming Hank I hate to break it to you but he couldn’t hold Hank’s hat.
August 3, 2016 @ 6:12 pm
Hank has been a parody within himself since about 1984. It’s great that he doesn’t listen to country radio, though, but even I know who all the talentless scumbags are and I haven’t listened to country radio in a couple years. Everyone should at least know Stapleton if they have an interest in country music.
August 3, 2016 @ 7:44 pm
I’ll be there Friday night. Should be a great time. Suspect I’ll drink a little brown water.
August 3, 2016 @ 11:38 pm
Everybody is so quick to throw stones when they don’t even know the what’s what
August 4, 2016 @ 4:43 am
Well, I’m going to the Tampa show and I said as far as I’m concerned we can leave when Stapleton is done. I stand by that, although I would be sorry if I missed him do a turn on Family Tradition.
Holly is opening. I think that was a recent add. As jacked to see her again as I am to see Stapleton. The Highway is a great album.
August 4, 2016 @ 3:22 pm
Hope to see you headed for the exit you don’t deserve to stay for the real star of the show
August 4, 2016 @ 7:55 am
Hank has dozens of great albums. Stapleton has one.
August 4, 2016 @ 6:19 pm
“Stapleton has one”. Not true. And if it were… So? I love Hank Jr. but I find it strange considering some of the pop acts he’s partnered with that he doesn’t know the best artist to go mainstream in years in his own genre.
August 5, 2016 @ 2:04 pm
What about when Stapleton partners with all the pop acts he writes songs for? I was just saying Hank has been around a lot longer than Stapleton and he doesn’t need Stapleton to help sell out shows. He sells out every show he plays. But I love Stapleton too that’s why I’m going to see them next Friday.
August 4, 2016 @ 10:01 pm
Saw Hank Jr. Last month at a Harly Davidon dealer in S. Ill . Didnt impress me. David All Coe opened for two other bands the night before. I was prepared to be disappointed but he came out and kicked-ass. Full band. He even got on a trike and him and hie wife went for a short putt. . So glad that I got to see the real DAC.
August 5, 2016 @ 6:26 am
First of all, Hank is an ICON that has been doing this gig for over 5 decades. I’ve seen him several times and enjoy the show each time, usually each show is a bit different. Im going to the Ohio show in a couple of weeks to see them play. I want to see Stapleton for one and I always enjoy Bocephus. I can tell you , Hank doesn’t give two shits if its sold out or how it got sold out. If you like Hank Jr its because he is what he is. I grew up on his music and still listen to it daily, he is blunt, he is not your mainstream artist. If you had been touring as long as he has you wouldn’t want to do 300 shows a year. You ungrateful asses should be appreciative that he tours at all anymore. If he doesn’t know who Stapleton is, (which I think he prob does) he will get to know him on the tour. Stapleton’s stuff is awesome but without radio play until the last year, there’s a lot that still don’t know who he is. He is a astounding song writer but he’s got one solo album. Hank says stuff to the media to get shit stirred up, sits back and chuckles about it. Stapleton has to make a follow up to Traveler to keep his momentum going before he earns his keep. I love his stuff but Im looking forward to see what he does next. Ill finish with a message to yall that are commenting and trashing Hank “If you don’t like hank Williams, you can kiss my ass” I can guarantee you Bocephus will tell ya the same thing………..
August 5, 2016 @ 1:19 pm
Despite both wearing Yankee pinstripes, Babe Ruth has no clue who Mickey Mantle is.
August 5, 2016 @ 7:21 pm
Wait til he sees that Chris stole his hat!
August 5, 2016 @ 9:04 pm
Just one more reason I like Hank.
August 6, 2016 @ 5:28 am
Considering the number of people Hank name checks in his show, his “lack of awareness” sounds more like pulling everybody’s leg. We didn’t leave…
August 6, 2016 @ 5:29 am
*…more like he was pulling everyone’s leg.
Good show.
August 6, 2016 @ 1:07 pm
Maria keeps saying she doesn’t know who J.Lo is. Baloney.
And that old dog knows exactly what’s going on. He probably secretly listens to him while he’s doing yoga on some beach. Some people are pros at doublespeak.
August 6, 2016 @ 3:18 pm
After hearing Hank Jr interviewed on Sirius Outlaw it doesn’t surprise me at all that he doesn’t know who CS is. Jr is totally infatuated with himself and couldn’t have been more self absorbed and rude.
August 7, 2016 @ 2:26 pm
I went to this last night in West Palm Beach. Stapleton came off as a headliner and was well received. Hank is Hank and no, the crowd didn’t file out en masse before his set. I respect anyone that can sit down solo with an acoustic guitar and keep a sold-out ampitheater enthralled. Cool Kaw-Liga/Down On The Farm mashup was clever. (But his fiddle playing is ATROCIOUS.) Stapleton and everyone else onstage for Family Tradition closer.
CS could be headlining these places himself by next summer. Would have liked to see some steel in the mix but they have a pretty full sound for what is essentially a three piece band with a backup vocalist.
August 12, 2016 @ 7:45 pm
Stapleton could headline arenas in many areas and sell out at this point. Here in Nashville he’s sold out multiple venues and would easily sell out the Bridgestone Arena if her were to play there. The man is a big draw.
As for Hank, he has a loyal legion of fans. Fans who don’t do anything but go to country concerts while there’s nothing to really hunt in the summer.
August 13, 2016 @ 12:10 pm
It looks like everyones not there to see Chris Stapleton since Hank Jr has outsold him in merchandise at every show so far on this tour…… Not trying to downplay stapleton but due to all the shit talked about Hank on this post I thought id throw the facts out there