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Hank Williams III: Punk Rock Music, Country And Metal
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Published: July 19, 2007
Hank Williams III, known as III to fans and friends, is the self-proclaimed black sheep of the Bible Belt. As the grandson and son of country music's beloved Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr., he was famous to country music lovers at birth. Both of his forefathers were as wild in behavior and pessimistic in their lyrics as he is today, though neither were quite as controversial.
Hank Williams III's latest album, “Straight to Hell”, is the first major-label country record to be graced with a parental advisory sticker.
He had to fight with his label, Curb, to get the album put out. His lyrics frequently reference drug and alcohol use and abuse and deal with the consequences of such a lifestyle. The songs break all the rules of country with audible elements of punk music and metal, but they still manage to honor the traditional sounds of his family's music. He produced and recorded “Straight to Hell” by himself using a $500 piece of equipment, the Korg D-1600 digital recorder. His independent DIY attitude is atypical of big music stars from any genre.
III was born Shelton Hank Williams III on December 12, 1972. He still lives in the city of his birth, Nashville, TN, in a 5-bedroom house located close to downtown on 60 acres of land that costs only $1000 a month. Burdened with child support payments, Hank Williams III appreciates the low cost of living in Nashville. He does not agree with the local music industry, however, and spends a lot of time touring to reach a new audience.
Hank Williams III is on tour 180-200 days out of the year. He has been known to be on tour for four weeks, then home for nine days, before taking off again to perform 24 shows in 27 days. This schedule is even more brutal when the length and intensity of his show is considered. Each performance night Hank Williams III plays for 2 ½-3 hours with two different bands. He opens with The Damn Band, which plays his particular kind of country for about an hour before sliding into the country/rock mix he calls Hellbilly. Then the next band, Assjack, takes the stage. Showing influence from the metal and punk music Hank Williams III grew up listening to, Assjack has a much heavier sound. At the end of every performance, III kneels on the stage to speak personally with the crowd. Such an unusual personal approach appeals to his fans.
Hank Williams III may be known as the rebel of country music, but his style appeals to many different types of people. His audience includes straight-up country fans, punk kids, red necks, college students and many others. His independence and tell-it-like-it-is style is unusual for country music stars but appreciated by his fans. Hank Williams III was born famous but works extremely hard touring to spread his music. His popularity is testament to the fact that taking risks to be yourself can pay off.
Sources:
Bowe, Brian J. "Hank III: Satan is Real." July 2006. CREEM Media, Inc. 9 July 2007.
http://www.creemmagazine.com/index1.php?pg=hank0 70606
"Curb.com:Hank III." 1996. Curb Records. 9 July 2007.
http://www.curb.com/artists/artistbio_T1.cfm?ID= 81
"Guild." 2007. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 9 July 2007.
http://www.guildguitars.com/news/index.php?displ ay_article=124
Loftus, Johnny. "Hank Williams III." CMT.com. 2007. Country Music Television, Inc. 9 July 2007.
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/hank_iii/bio.jhtml
Hank Williams III's latest album, “Straight to Hell”, is the first major-label country record to be graced with a parental advisory sticker.
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III was born Shelton Hank Williams III on December 12, 1972. He still lives in the city of his birth, Nashville, TN, in a 5-bedroom house located close to downtown on 60 acres of land that costs only $1000 a month. Burdened with child support payments, Hank Williams III appreciates the low cost of living in Nashville. He does not agree with the local music industry, however, and spends a lot of time touring to reach a new audience.
Hank Williams III is on tour 180-200 days out of the year. He has been known to be on tour for four weeks, then home for nine days, before taking off again to perform 24 shows in 27 days. This schedule is even more brutal when the length and intensity of his show is considered. Each performance night Hank Williams III plays for 2 ½-3 hours with two different bands. He opens with The Damn Band, which plays his particular kind of country for about an hour before sliding into the country/rock mix he calls Hellbilly. Then the next band, Assjack, takes the stage. Showing influence from the metal and punk music Hank Williams III grew up listening to, Assjack has a much heavier sound. At the end of every performance, III kneels on the stage to speak personally with the crowd. Such an unusual personal approach appeals to his fans.
Hank Williams III may be known as the rebel of country music, but his style appeals to many different types of people. His audience includes straight-up country fans, punk kids, red necks, college students and many others. His independence and tell-it-like-it-is style is unusual for country music stars but appreciated by his fans. Hank Williams III was born famous but works extremely hard touring to spread his music. His popularity is testament to the fact that taking risks to be yourself can pay off.
Sources:
Bowe, Brian J. "Hank III: Satan is Real." July 2006. CREEM Media, Inc. 9 July 2007.
http://www.creemmagazine.com/index1.php?pg=hank0 70606
"Curb.com:Hank III." 1996. Curb Records. 9 July 2007.
http://www.curb.com/artists/artistbio_T1.cfm?ID= 81
"Guild." 2007. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. 9 July 2007.
http://www.guildguitars.com/news/index.php?displ ay_article=124
Loftus, Johnny. "Hank Williams III." CMT.com. 2007. Country Music Television, Inc. 9 July 2007.
http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/hank_iii/bio.jhtml
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