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Hank Williams, Jr.

Biography

The offspring of famous musicians frequently have trouble developing a career for themselves, yet Hank Williams, Jr. is among the few to build up a career that’s not just effective, but markedly not the same as his legendary dad. Originally, Hank Jr. just copied and performed his father’s music, but as he grew old, he started to carve out his personal niche and it had been one which owed just as much to country-rock since it do to honky tonk. In the past due ’70s, he retooled his picture to charm both to outlaw nation followers and rowdy Southern rockers, and his makeover worked well, producing a string of TOP singles — like the number one strikes “Texas Ladies,” “Dixie on My Brain,” “All My Rowdy Close friends (Have Resolved Down),” “Honky Tonkin’,” and “Delivered to Boogie” — that went into the past due ’80s. Hank Jr. hardly ever was above taking advantage of his father’s name, however his tributes and name-dropping frequently seemed affectionate, not really crass. Also, Bocephus — as his dad nicknamed him when he was a kid — was a separate cheerleader for patriotic American beliefs; he even composed a pro-Gulf Battle tune during 1991. Many of these activities helped make him an American superstar through the ’80s, getting probably one of the most recognizable well-known culture figures from the period. As fresh nation overran the airwaves within the ’90s, Williams gradually disappeared from your graphs and his concerts halted selling in addition to they do ten years previous, yet he maintained a devoted primary audience through the entire 10 years. The child of Hank and Audrey Williams, Hank Jr. was created in Shreveport, Louisiana, in 1949. Significantly less than four years later on, his father passed away, leaving behind an enormous legacy. When Hank Jr. was eight yrs . old, Audrey made a decision to drive her son in to the spotlight, placing him because the rightful heir to his father’s legacy. Dressed up in a white Nudie match, he’d sing Hank Sr.’s biggest strikes on package trips, and by enough time he was 11, he previously produced his first appearance within the Grand Ole Opry. Over time of touring, Hank Jr.’s tone of voice broke in 1963. When his voice transformed, Audrey experienced her son indication a agreement with MGM Information. Hank Jr. documented his father’s “OVER Lonesome Blues” as his debut solitary, as well as the record was popular upon its early 1964 launch, climbing to quantity five. Later on that yr, he sang all of the materials for the Hank Williams, Sr. biopic Your Cheatin’ Heart and starred within the film A PERIOD to Sing. Though he instantly acquired popular, he wasn’t in a position to abide by it up with another TOP strike until 1966, when his self-penned “Position in the Shadows” reached amount five. By that point, he had started to grow sick and tired of his popularity being a Hank Williams imitator and was attempting to generate his very own design, as “Position in the Shadows” demonstrated. Following that one, he begun to explore rock and roll & roll relatively, occasionally performing beneath the name Rockin’ Randall. Despite his half-hearted rock and roll & roll tries, Williams continuing to focus on nation music, turning out a string of strike singles, like the number 1 “All for the Appreciate of Sunlight” and several inspirational slashes released beneath the name Luke the Drifter, Jr., a mention of his father’s alter ego. Though his profession was successful, Hank Jr. started falling into medication and alcohol misuse after he flipped 18 yrs . old. His personal existence became progressively more difficult, culminating inside a suicide attempt in 1974. Following a attempt, Williams relocated to Alabama, where he not merely got his existence collectively, but he transformed his musical path as well. Starting up with Southern rockers like Charlie Daniels as well as the Marshall Tucker Band’s Plaything Caldwell, he documented Hank Williams, Jr. & Close friends, which fused hardcore nation with rock and roll & move. Though he wasn’t credit scoring as many strikes as he previously in the first ’70s, his music was getting more primary and focused. Just like his career had been revived, tragedy beset Williams. While he was climbing a hill in Montana in 1975, he dropped 442 foot down the medial side from the hill. His injuries had been critical — his skull was divide and his encounter was smashed — but he survived. Pursuing extensive reconstructive plastic surgery, he previously to relearn how exactly to speak and sing. Williams’ recovery period lasted a complete 2 yrs. When he re-emerged in 1977, he aligned himself using the outlaw nation motion, as Waylon Jennings created Hank Jr.’s return effort, THE BRAND NEW South. It got many years before Williams started to possess hits once again — his biggest strike in the past due ’70s was a cover of Bobby Fuller’s “I Fought regulations,” which reached amount 15 — however in the ultimate half a year of 1979 he previously two TOP singles, “Family members Custom” and “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,” which started a virtually continuous streak of 29 TOP hits that went into 1988. Through the entire ’80s, Hank Jr. was perhaps one of the most well-known, and controversial, statistics in nation music. Pursuing his picture makeover, he appealed mainly to youthful and rowdy crowds along with his hell-raising anthems and jingoistic ballads. Though he previously established his personal distinctive design, he continuing to name-check and pay out tribute to his dad, and these salutes became just as much an integral part of his become his redneck rockers. Both wild music as well as the party-ready atmosphere of his concerts produced Hank Jr. an greatly well-known musician and helped him cross into the rock and roll & roll market. Williams’ career actually began to remove in 1981, when he previously three number 1 strikes — “Tx Females,” “Dixie on My Brain,” and “All My Rowdy Close friends (Have Resolved Down)” — and Rowdy started a streak of 15 silver or platinum albums that went until 1990. Throughout that period, he won many honours, including back-to-back Nation Music Association Entertainer of the entire year in 1987 and 1988. By the finish from the 10 years, Hank Jr.’s persona was learning to be a small tired, specifically in light of the brand new variety of clean-cut fresh nation singers who got bought out Nashville. Williams could still possess popular — such as for example “There is a Tear in my own Beer,” that was an electric duet between him and his dad — but by the finish of 1990 he was no more hitting the very best Ten and by the center of the 10 years he had difficulty reaching the Best 40. Despite his declining record product sales, Hank Jr. continued to be a favorite concert draw in to the last mentioned fifty percent of the ’90s, and a fairly prolific character within the studio room. His string of brand-new albums tapered off in the first 2000s, with 2003’s I’m Among You marking his last album for quite some time. Hank Jr. came back toward the decade’s end, nevertheless, with 127 Rose Avenue showing up in ’09 2009. Arriving in 2012, Aged School New Guidelines, which featured visitor looks by Brad Paisley and Track Adkins, was the 1st launch for Williams by himself Bocephus Records, an unbiased label located in Nashville, and designated just how much Williams got bought out control of most areas of his function and profession. Four years later on, Williams returned towards the big style by putting your signature on with Nash Icon — the subsidiary of Big Machine created for nation heritage functions — and liberating ISN’T IT ABOUT TIME in January 2016.

Quick Facts


Full Name Hank Williams Jr.
Height 1.88 m
Profession Music Producer, Singer-songwriter, Multi-instrumentalist
Nationality American
Spouse Mary Jane Thomas, Becky White, Gwen Yeargain
Children Hank Williams III, Holly Williams, Hilary Williams, Katharine Diane Williams, Samuel Williams
Parents Hank Williams, Audrey Williams
Siblings Jett Williams, Lycretia Williams
Awards Country Music Association Award for Entertainer of the Year, Country Music Association Award for Album of the Year, Country Music Association Award for Music Video of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Video of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Country Collaboration with Vocals, Academy of Country Music Award for Entertainer of the Year, Academy of Country Music Awards Cliffie Stone Icon Award, Country Music Association Award for Vocal Event of the Year, American Music Award for Favorite Country Male Video Artist
Music Songs A Country Boy Can Survive, Family Tradition, All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight, All My Rowdy Friends, Born To Boogie, Country State Of Mind, If The South Woulda Won, Old Habits, The Blues Man, Kaw-Liga, There's A Tear In My Beer, Outlaw Women, Young Country, Dixie On My Mind, Mind Your Own Business, If Heaven Ain't A Lot Like Dixie, Heaven Can't Be Found, Women I've Never Had, All for the Love of Sunshine, Ain't Misbehavin', Texas Women, Attitude Adjustment, Are You Ready For The Country, Eleven Roses, This Ain't Dallas, O.D.'d In Denver, Queen Of My Heart, Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound, My Name Is Bocephus, The Conversation, Just Call Me Hank, Leave Them Boys Alone
Albums It's About Time, Montana Cafe, Old School New Rules, Habits Old and New, Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound, Lone Wolf, The Pressure Is On, Strong Stuff, Three Hanks: Men with Broken Hearts, The Almeria Club Recordings, Pure Hank, Hank Live, Hank Williams Jr. and Friends, Five-O, Rowdy, A.K.A. Wham Bam Sam, Ballads of the Hills and Plains, Songs My Father Left Me, 127 Rose Avenue, Hog Wild, High Notes, Luke the Drifter Jr. – Vol. 2, Wild Streak, Country Shadows, Man of Steel, Out of Left Field, Born to Boogie, Maverick, Major Moves, The New South, Blues My Name, Stormy, Family Tradition, Hank Williams, Jr. Singing My Songs (Johnny Cash), I'm One of You, After You, Pride's Not Hard to Swallow, Live at Cobo Hall, Connie Francis and Hank Williams Jr. Sing Great Country Favorites, A Time to Sing, Your Cheatin' Heart, One Night Stands
Nominations Grammy Award for Best Country Song, Country Music Association Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Male Country Vocal Performance, Academy of Country Music Award for Male Vocalist of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Song of the Year, Grammy Award for Best Music Video, Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Event of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Single Record of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Duo of the Year, Academy of Country Music Award for Album of the Year, American Music Award for Favorite Country Male Artist, American Music Award for Favorite Country Album, American Music Award for Favorite Country Single, American Music Award for Favorite Country Video, Academy of Country Music Award for Vocal Duo or Group of the Year, American Music Award for Favorite Country Band/Duo/Group Video Artist
Movies Roadie, A Time to Sing, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Hank Williams: The Man and His Music, Country Legends Live, Waylon Jennings: America, Hank Williams Jr.: Full Access, Tom Sawyer, Louisiana Hayride, 25 Country Classics
TV Shows Monday Night Football, CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock


  • Facts
  • Filmography
  • Awards
  • Salaries
  • Quotes
  • Trademarks
  • Pictures

#Fact
1 Wears a beard and sunglasses to help hide his scars.
2 Following his fall he crushed his face and split his skull, and had to have several reconstructive surgeries and had to learn to talk and sing again.
3 He spent two years in recovery from his mountain climbing accident in 1975.
4 Was severely injured from near fatal fall while climbing Ajax Mountain in Montana in 1975.
5 His godmother was June Carter Cash.
6 Is the father of five children: with first wife Gwen - son Hank Williams III born 1972. With second wife Becky - daughters Hilary Williams born 1979 and Holly Williams born 1981. With third wife Mary Jane - daughter Katharine Diane Williams born 1993 and son Samuel Williams born 1997.
7 Son of Hank Williams and Audrey Williams.
8 Half-brother of Jett Williams and Lycretia Williams.
9 Father of singer Holly Williams and Hank Williams III.


Soundtrack

Soundtrack

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund 2016 TV Movie performer: "Just Call Me Hank"
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2016 TV Series performer - 1 episode
Cut Bank 2014 performer: "Cut Bank, Montana"
Gravity 2013 performer: "Angels Are Hard to Find" / writer: "Angels Are Hard to Find"
The Marty Stuart Show 2013 TV Series writer - 1 episode
Country Strong 2010 performer: "Honky Tonk Blues" - as Hank Williams / performer: "Thirsty"
Best of CMT Music Awards 2009 TV Special performer: "I'm Still A Guy"
CMT Hot 20 Countdown 2007 TV Series performer - 1 episode
Headline Country 2006 TV Series performer - 1 episode
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada 2005 performer: "The Cheatin' Hotel" 2002 / writer: "The Cheatin' Hotel" 2002
UFC 50: The War of '04 2004 TV Special performer: "A Country Boy Can Survive" - uncredited / writer: "A Country Boy Can Survive" - uncredited
The Simpsons 1998-1999 TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Northern Exposure TV Series performer - 2 episodes, 1990 - 1992 writer - 2 episodes, 1990 - 1992
Nothing But Trouble 1991 performer: "I Mean I Love You" / writer: "I Mean I Love You"
Texasville 1990 performer: "Lovesick Blues"
The Hot Spot 1990 performer: "LOVE MD"
In Country 1989 performer: "Ain't Misbehavin'"
No Holds Barred 1989 performer: "All My Rowdy Friends"
Pink Cadillac 1989 performer: "There's a Tear in My Beer"
Young Country 1988 Video short performer: "Young Country"
Demented Top 20 Video Countdown 1988 TV Movie performer: "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight"
White of the Eye 1987 "A Country Boy Can Survive" / writer: "A Country Boy Can Survive"
UFOria 1985 performer: "I Do What It Takes to Get By", "Crazy with the Heat"
Fort Apache the Bronx 1981 performer: "Family Tradition" / writer: "Family Tradition"
Brubaker 1980 performer: "All for the Love of Sunshine" - uncredited
Roadie 1980 performer: "Outlaw Women", "Eyes of Texas", "Family Tradition", "American Way" / writer: "Outlaw Women", "Family Tradition", "American Way"
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1978 performer: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" Finale
The Moonshine War 1970 performer: "Ballad Of The Moonshine" / writer: "Ballad Of The Moonshine"
Kelly's Heroes 1970 performer: "Sunshine" - as Hank Williams, Jr.
The Johnny Cash Show 1970 TV Series performer - 1 episode
A Time to Sing 1968 writer: "Humming Bird Line", "It's All Over but the Crying", "Rock in My Shoe", "A Man Is on His Own"
The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones 1966 TV Movie performer: "Kiowa Jones"
Shindig! 1964 TV Series performer - 1 episode

Actor

Actor

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Guns & Ammo Television 2003 TV Series Special Guest (uncredited)
Tom Sawyer 2000 Video Injun Joe (voice)
The Simpsons 1998-1999 TV Series 'Canyonero' Singer
Waylon Jennings: America 1986 Video short
Willa 1979 TV Movie Hank
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band 1978 Our Guests at Heartland
A Time to Sing 1968 Grady Dodd

Composer

Composer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Miss Krystle: Want a Star 2011 Video short mastered by
Willa 1979 TV Movie

Writer

Writer

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Living Proof: The Hank Williams, Jr. Story 1983 TV Movie book "Living Proof"

Music Department

Music Department

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Your Cheatin' Heart 1964 singing voice: George Hamilton

Thanks

Thanks

TitleYearStatusCharacter
I Saw the Light 2015 special thanks

Self

Self

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund 2016 TV Movie Himself
Today 2016 TV Series Himself - Guest
CBS This Morning 2016 TV Series Himself - Guest
The View 2016 TV Series Himself - Musical Guest
The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon 2016 TV Series Himself - Musical Guest
American Country Countdown Awards 2014 TV Special Himself
CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock 2012 TV Movie Himself
Huckabee 2012 TV Series Himself
2012 CMT Music Awards 2012 TV Special Himself
The 45th Annual CMA Awards 2011 TV Special Himself
Music Builds: The CMT Disaster Relief Concert 2011 TV Movie Himself - Performer
CMT Insider 2008-2010 TV Series Himself
2010 CMT Music Awards 2010 TV Special Himself
Late Night with Jimmy Fallon 2009 TV Series Himself - Musical Guest
Right America: Feeling Wronged - Some Voices from the Campaign Trail 2009 TV Movie documentary Himself
In the Hank Williams Tradition 2009 Video Himself
CMT Giants 2007-2008 TV Series Himself / Himself - Honoree
Cracker Barrel: Songs of the Year Concert 2007 TV Special Himself - Singer
2007 CMT Music Awards 2007 TV Special Himself
The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson 2007 TV Series Himself
NFL Monday Night Football 2006 TV Series Himself - Theme Song Performer
Toyota Presents: CMT at Summerfest 2006 TV Mini-Series Himself - Performer
CMT: The Greatest - 20 Greatest Southern Rock Songs 2006 TV Special Himself
Headline Country 2006 TV Series Himself
Decades Rock Live 2006 TV Series Himself
CMT Greatest Moments: Willie Nelson 2006 TV Special Himself
In the Moment: Hank Jr.'s Guide to the Great Outdoors 2006 TV Movie documentary Himself
CMT: The Greatest - 20 Greatest Country Comedy Shows 2006 TV Special Himself
Good Morning America 2006 TV Series Himself - Singer
Tim McGraw: Reflected 2006 TV Movie Himself
Jimmy Kimmel Live! 2006 TV Series Himself
Hannity & Colmes 2005 TV Series Himself
React Now: Music & Relief 2005 TV Movie Himself
Patriotic Country Album Special 2005 TV Movie Himself
CMT Got Me in with the Band 2004 TV Series Himself
CMT Outlaws 2004 TV Special Performer
American Masters 2004 TV Series documentary Himself
Winston Cup Extreme Tribute 2004 TV Special Performer
CMT Making the Video: Hank Williams Jr. - Why Can't We All Get a Long Neck? 2004 TV Movie documentary
Johnny Cash Memorial Tribute 2003 TV Movie Himself - Performer
Super Bowl XXXVII 2003 TV Movie Himself - Opening theme song performer
July 4th: a Musical Celebration 2002 TV Special Himself - Performer
The 37th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards 2002 TV Special Himself
Opryland's Country Christmas 1996 TV Special Himself
Att-Star Countryfest '96 1996 TV Special Himself
America's Music: The Roots of Country 1996 TV Mini-Series documentary Himself (1996)
I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive 1993 Documentary
The Academy of Country Music's Greatest Hits 1993 TV Special Himself
The Tonight Show with Jay Leno 1993 TV Series Himself
Hot Country Nights 1992 TV Series Himself
The 25th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards 1990 TV Special Himself
An All Star Salute to Country Music 1990 TV Movie Himself
Hank Williams Jr.: Double Eagle Tour '89 1990 TV Movie Himself
Waylon: Renegade. Outlaw. Legend. 1990 Video documentary Himself
The 24th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards 1989 TV Special Himself
The 23rd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards 1988 TV Special Himself
The 15th Annual American Music Awards 1988 TV Special Himself
The 22nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards 1987 TV Special Himself
The 20th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards 1985 TV Special Himself
Late Night with David Letterman 1982 TV Series Himself
Roy Acuff... 50 Years the King of Country Music 1982 TV Special Himself
Roadie 1980 Himself - The Bama Band
The Mike Douglas Show 1980 TV Series Himself - Country Vocalist
Jamboree in the Hills 1978 TV Movie Himself
Nashville on the Road 1977-1978 TV Series Himself - Guest
In Concert 1975 TV Series Himself
Hee Haw 1969-1972 TV Series Himself - Guest / Himself - Special Guest
The David Frost Show 1971 TV Series Himself
The Johnny Cash Show 1970-1971 TV Series Himself - Singer / Himself - Singers
The Ed Sullivan Show 1963-1970 TV Series Himself - Singer / Singer
The Joey Bishop Show 1968 TV Series Himself
Die Drehscheibe 1966 TV Series Singer
Country Music on Broadway 1965 Himself
Shindig! 1964 TV Series Himself - Singer
The Jimmy Dean Show 1964 TV Series Himself

Archive Footage

Archive Footage

TitleYearStatusCharacter
Gretchen Wilson: Still Here for the Party 2014 Documentary Himself
CMT: 40 Greatest Love Songs 2011 TV Movie Himself
Best of CMT Music Awards 2009 TV Special Himself
CMT Hot 20 Countdown 2007 TV Series Himself
CMT Insider 2006-2007 TV Series Himself
CMT: The Greatest - 40 Greatest Albums 2006 TV Movie documentary Himself
CMT Crossroads 2006 TV Series Himself
CMT: Class of 1975 2005 TV Movie documentary Himself
CMT Most Shocking 2004 TV Series documentary Himself
The American Music Awards 20th Anniversary Special 1993 TV Special Himself
Young Country 1988 Video short Himself

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#Trademark
1 Cowboy hat, beard, and sunglasses.

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