There was most certainly a time in country music—and even in it’s more open-minded and less commercially-concerned cousin of Americana—where not fitting neatly within the gender binary would be a significant burden on the attention you would receive for your music. 2022 is not that time though.
50 years ago today on December 12th, 1972, Randall Hank Williams Jr. and his wife Gwyn Yeargain welcomed their first and only child into the world. Keeping with the family tradition, they gave him the middle name of Hank, with his full christening taking shape as Shelton Hank Williams III.
Most definitely a departure from Hank3’s country stuff, and even his punk and metal projects, much of the Grandiose Delusions material is a strange mix of synth heavy electronica with a dark metal undertone. The image of a cover design in one of the videos reveals more details about this project
Concept albums have been an integral part of country music history, with the release of certain projects completely reshaping the country music paradigm, including in recent memory. Just in case you need an illustration of the breadth and importance of concept albums in country music
Voraciously hungry Hank3 fans have been getting a few welcome morsels from the elusive artist recently as he’s been dropping a succession of demo recordings, scratch tracks, and other random audio projects on YouTube. These are not new studio tracks from Hank3, though there are a couple of unheard songs.
One of the most interesting and accomplished characters to ever grace the history of country music has unfortunately passed away. Eddie Pleasant just about did it all. He was a performer and musician. He wrote songs. He worked as the right-hand man for Hank Williams Jr.
On August 11th, 1952—70 years ago today—one of the most notorious moments in country music history occurred. The original King of Country Music, and the genre’s first undisputed superstar, Hank Williams, was unceremoniously fired from the institution that he helped bring to prominence.
Country music is country music, and the best definition of what country music is, is that you know it when you hear it. It’s self-evident. But the genre has birthed many subgenres, many stylistic movements over the years, and at times has seen a splintering and Balkanization.
The bigger issue here is that people just want more Tyler Childers, and you can’t blame them for that. If he was playing two hours sets on his own tour, most everyone would be leaving satisfied. But he’s not, even though it feels like he should be.
The sonic baseline for Southern Circus is the stuff Coleman’s father calls Hellbilly music. But ‘Southern Circus’ is surprisingly omnivorous and diverse from there, and favorably so, mixing in more understated songwriting material than you expect, including songs that are a bit more purposeful.
The bloodlines of Jennings and Williams are running together once again as the great grandson of Hank Williams, grandson of Hank Jr., and the son of Hank Williams III has signed with the record label of the son of Waylon Jennings, Black Country Rock.
Singer, songwriter, and 3rd generation performer Sam Williams says he’s in a restrictive conservatorship, and wants out. Signed to a major label deal with Mercury Nashville, Sam Williams is the son of Hank Williams Jr. from his marriage to Mary Jane Thomas.
Cody Jinks knows his way around metal music, and he proves that with None The Wiser. This isn’t some lark, though he’s also not launching the Caned By Nod project as replacement for country, or trying to pass it off as country as some pop and rock acts do. It’s a passion project.
On this night in 1951 when Hank found the time to record the demo for “Tear In My Beer,” and 40 years later when it became a big hit in country, it proved that a good song with a simple sentiment can often withstand the ultimate test of time, and be entered into eternal cultural relevance.
The Royal Hounds are one of the bands who still embody that original Lower Broadway revivalist attitude. Playing standing residencies at Layla’s every Sunday night, and Robert’s Western World on Tuesdays, they’re rockabilly, they’re country, they’re wild and funny.
Could it be that the most important and influential bloodline in country music history actually has a lost branch? Country History X Episode #11 delves into this complicated and convoluted story, while now a 4th generation of performers have emerged looking to carry on Hank’s name.
Some assume that with a name like Saving Country Music, I, Trigger must think that I’m the one doing the saving—that I’m country music’s savior. But of course it’s not me, but the bands and artists highlighted here that are doing the saving, along with addressing the important issues.
The chemistry of this band is just so perfect, not just unto itself, but for this very time and place. They’re classic, but cool. That’s the reason they aren’t about to compromise anything they do just for a quick step up the ladder.
Releasing it solely on YouTube, and addressing it simply as an “Outlaw Classic Country Cover, Played and Sang in real time no editing,” his slowed-down and echo-rich version of the country classic clocks in at almost 7 minutes, and is being lapped up by thirsty and grateful Hank3 fans.
A famous family name in country music is both the greatest asset one can hold, and the most unbelievably burdensome yoke from the expectations it foists upon you. At 30 years old, the son of Shelton Hank Williams III has decided to throw his hat in the ring.
There are many incredibly important legacy families to the country music lineage, from the Carter’s to the Cash’s. But arguably no crop of performers have offered more entertainment, influence, intrigue, and tragedy than the family tree that sprouts from the loins of Hank Williams.
There’s a new performer on the way, and he’s one that has a legitimate claim to arguably the most important bloodline in country music history. That’s right, the son of Hank Williams III is getting ready to emerge, and to do so under the moniker “IV.”
In 2013, the daughter of Hank Williams Jr. and granddaughter of Hank Williams had us all completely rethinking our depth charts when it comes to the Williams lineage in music with the release of her landmark record The Highway. Of course the musical pedigree runs deep in the Williams family.
You can’t have a discussion about the important progeny of country legends who’ve gone on to offer their own lasting contributions to the music without at least mentioning Dean Miller, son of Roger. But too often he gets overlooked. Dean Miller might be partly to blame for that ….