Wayne Hancock
Wayne "The Train" Hancock has been called "the master of hillbilly swing," … Read Full Bio ↴Wayne "The Train" Hancock has been called "the master of hillbilly swing," a "roots Renaissance man," a "country singer's country singer" and "Hank Williams meets Gershwin." But the phrase most frequently echoed throughout his career is "Wayne Hancock is the real deal." Joe Ely said it, Hank Williams III said it, Bobby Koefer from the Texas Playboys said it, as have countless music fans and writers when referring to Hancock's authentic and original blend of honky tonk, western swing, blues and big band that he calls "juke joint swing!"
Authenticity and sincerity have been the cornerstones of Hancock's writing and music since the start of his career. His refusal to compromise his vision and sell
out his music has earned him a fiercely loyal underground following.
Hancock's vision, as he puts it, is "to bring people together and make them feel good about music. It's a spiritual thing and without spirituality, you've got nothin'. There ain't much on the radio that strikes me as being original or from the heart, most of it's from the pocketbook and it shows."
Wayne is proud of his rural roots and culture and has thoroughly absorbed the spirit of country music's forefathers such as Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. Never a mere imitator, the cutting-edge style that emerges is every bit his own. He breathes youth and driving energy into traditional country forms and adds a dash of big band horns, boogie woogie piano, scorching rockabilly beats, heavenly Hawaiian steel licks and some wigged-out hillbilly jazz guitar.
Hancock figures he started writing songs around the age of twelve, and he did a lot of traveling around Texas, playing juke joints and belting out his originals for anyone who'd listen. At 18, he won the "Wrangler Country Showdown" but couldn't claim the prize because he'd already enrolled in the Marines. After a six-year hitch with Uncle Sam, he moved to Austin, where he reacquainted himself with music and won a role in the 1994 theatrical production of Chippy. He performed alongside Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen and Rolling Stone proclaimed, "The nasal honky-tonk of newcomer Wayne Hancock practically steals the show."
In 1995 Wayne debuted with "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs", a remarkable CD produced by steel guitar legend Lloyd Maines (Joe Ely, Wilco and Richard Buckner). The release was met with critical acclaim. Newsweek called it "the most promising debut of the season." Two-hundred-fifty dates throughout the country, including brilliant performances on Austin City Limits and NPR's Prairie Home Companion, led to well over 22,000 copies sold of his debut release on a tiny independent Texas label. In 1997, Wayne signed with ARK 21, an eclectic and well-anchored label owned by former Police manager Miles Copeland. Miles and his staff were impressed with Wayne's genuine ability for writing and performing and have dubbed him "arguably the hardest-working man in show business" for his willingness to tour solidly and his insistence on efficiency and
untainted live energy in the studio. "That's What Daddy Wants", Hancock's sophomore release, was recorded in a startling three days. A brilliant example of his Texas swing and juke joint rockabilly, the album was even a staple on the space shuttle Columbia, the bugle call of its title track used to wake the astronauts. After "That's What Daddy Wants" generated even more critical success than the first release, ARK 21 decided to reissue "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" on their label.
The past several years have been a time of personal evolution and growth in Wayne's life. He was self-managed since the beginning of 1998 and later that year he lost his father to cancer. He has still been gigging solidly throughout the country and has been doing his own driving, tour managing and taking care of business in exactly his own way.
While various musicians drop in on Wayne's shows from time to time, his core band for touring is comprised of the phenomenal Eddie Biebel on lead guitar and the rhythm slappin' Jake Erwin on Standup Bass. Do yourself a favor - whenever this great trio is in or near your town, go to the show!
Authenticity and sincerity have been the cornerstones of Hancock's writing and music since the start of his career. His refusal to compromise his vision and sell
out his music has earned him a fiercely loyal underground following.
Hancock's vision, as he puts it, is "to bring people together and make them feel good about music. It's a spiritual thing and without spirituality, you've got nothin'. There ain't much on the radio that strikes me as being original or from the heart, most of it's from the pocketbook and it shows."
Wayne is proud of his rural roots and culture and has thoroughly absorbed the spirit of country music's forefathers such as Ernest Tubb, Hank Williams and Jimmie Rodgers. Never a mere imitator, the cutting-edge style that emerges is every bit his own. He breathes youth and driving energy into traditional country forms and adds a dash of big band horns, boogie woogie piano, scorching rockabilly beats, heavenly Hawaiian steel licks and some wigged-out hillbilly jazz guitar.
Hancock figures he started writing songs around the age of twelve, and he did a lot of traveling around Texas, playing juke joints and belting out his originals for anyone who'd listen. At 18, he won the "Wrangler Country Showdown" but couldn't claim the prize because he'd already enrolled in the Marines. After a six-year hitch with Uncle Sam, he moved to Austin, where he reacquainted himself with music and won a role in the 1994 theatrical production of Chippy. He performed alongside Terry Allen, Butch Hancock, Joe Ely and Robert Earl Keen and Rolling Stone proclaimed, "The nasal honky-tonk of newcomer Wayne Hancock practically steals the show."
In 1995 Wayne debuted with "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs", a remarkable CD produced by steel guitar legend Lloyd Maines (Joe Ely, Wilco and Richard Buckner). The release was met with critical acclaim. Newsweek called it "the most promising debut of the season." Two-hundred-fifty dates throughout the country, including brilliant performances on Austin City Limits and NPR's Prairie Home Companion, led to well over 22,000 copies sold of his debut release on a tiny independent Texas label. In 1997, Wayne signed with ARK 21, an eclectic and well-anchored label owned by former Police manager Miles Copeland. Miles and his staff were impressed with Wayne's genuine ability for writing and performing and have dubbed him "arguably the hardest-working man in show business" for his willingness to tour solidly and his insistence on efficiency and
untainted live energy in the studio. "That's What Daddy Wants", Hancock's sophomore release, was recorded in a startling three days. A brilliant example of his Texas swing and juke joint rockabilly, the album was even a staple on the space shuttle Columbia, the bugle call of its title track used to wake the astronauts. After "That's What Daddy Wants" generated even more critical success than the first release, ARK 21 decided to reissue "Thunderstorms and Neon Signs" on their label.
The past several years have been a time of personal evolution and growth in Wayne's life. He was self-managed since the beginning of 1998 and later that year he lost his father to cancer. He has still been gigging solidly throughout the country and has been doing his own driving, tour managing and taking care of business in exactly his own way.
While various musicians drop in on Wayne's shows from time to time, his core band for touring is comprised of the phenomenal Eddie Biebel on lead guitar and the rhythm slappin' Jake Erwin on Standup Bass. Do yourself a favor - whenever this great trio is in or near your town, go to the show!
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Wayne Hancock Lyrics
87 Southbound I caught you with him On them damp, slick, sticky, satin…
A-Town Blues Don't go cryin' for me darlin' You know this is what…
Ain't Nobody's Blues But My Own Now everybody that knows me Knows just the way I feel When…
Big City Good Time Gal I've got a crazy little lady she's a wild cat She's…
Blue Suede Shoes Well, it's one for the money, Two for the show, Three to…
Brand New Cadillac When my baby pulled up in a brand new Cadillac I…
California Blues 1-2, 1-2-3 (yeah yeah California blues) Well I'm goin' t…
Cold Lonesome Wind It's after two and it just stared to rain The wind…
Cow Cow Boogie Out on the west down by Santa Fe I met a…
Double A Daddy I'm a double a daddy! We're going out drinking We're gonna …
Every Time Every time I look into your eyes I fall in love…
Flat Land Boogie Chuggin' along on 385 Looks like another 12 hour drive Sun…
Freight Line Blues Its stormy tonight The rains coming down There's no place …
Friday and Saturday Night Me and my baby's going out on the town Worried about…
Going Back to Texas Going Back to Texas By Wayne Hancock I've gone through A…
Gone Gone Gone Well I went down to leon's To see that baby…
Gonna Be Flyin' Tonight Well I went to see my gal the other day Landlord…
Gonna Be Some Trouble Tonight Well I went to see my gal the other day Landlord…
Gonna Be Trouble Tonite Well I went to see my gal the other day Landlord…
Happy Birthday Julie Happy birthday Julie My, it's good to see you, gal The las…
Highway 54 Sittin' in the kitchen with my back against the wall I…
It's Saturday Night Me and my baby's going out on the town Worried about…
Johnny Law (Alright, whatever y'all say, a 1-2, 1-2-3-4) Well I was…
Johnson City Don't feel like myself this evenin' Must be this old city…
Juke Joint Jumpin The stars are shining in the east Texas air Another fifteen…
Kansas City Blues I wish I was a catfish, swimmin' in the sea Lots…
Knocked Out Rhythm (Refrain) I gotta knocked out rhythm, gonna swing away all …
Lea Ann Oh Lea Ann, my sweet Lea Ann I'm yours, you're mine It's…
Life On The Road I'm gonna top off my tank Get loaded with prevision I'm le…
Life's Lonesome Road I'm gonna get myself on a fast track baby, You don't…
Little Lisa L-I-T-T-L-E L-I-S-A Oh little Lisa You done stole my heart…
Locomotive Joe I know a crazy cat that rides the train all…
Lookin' For Better Days Looky here honey don't be drifting away, I know your gonna…
Lord Take My Pain Last night i dreamed about you That you came home to…
Louisiana Blues When you get to Louisiana would you tell her hello…
Man Of The Road Well I'm a man of the road and the highway…
Miller Jack & Mad Dog Last night I saw a bunch of kids swervin' down…
Misery If misery was a crime then I'd always be serving…
No Loving Tonight No lovin' tonight No huggin' and a kissin' I sittin' here wi…
Poor Boy Blues Worn out suit, worn shoes I got no money to pay…
Railroad Blues Spoken: Well Lloyd, here we are, we're at the end…
Route 23 When I read this mornings headlines I saw your name And…
Sands Of Time Yesterday I saw my baby walkin' Arm in arm with another…
She's My Baby Well I got a little gal about five feet tall One…
Summertime Summertime, And the livin' is easy Fish are jumpin' And t…
Tag Along Oh lord, my gal ain't nothing but a tag along She…
That Do you see that gal with the blue dress on That's…
That's What Daddy Wants Do you see that gal with the blue dress on That's…
That's Why I Ride Got no change in my jeans I'm runnin' low on all…
This Lonely Night This lonely night - I'm missin you this lonely night Well,…
Thunderstorms & Neon Signs There's some big black clouds blowing in from the west I've…
Thunderstorms and Neon Signs There's some big black clouds blowing in from the west I've…
Tonight the Rain Is Coming Down You don't need to worry so My love for you will…
Track 49 Well I used to be a dreamer, but that was…
Viper Dream about a reefer five feet long A mighty immense but…
We Three We three, we're all alone Living in a memory Well that's m…
Why Don't You Leave Me Alone Last night you told me that I ain't worth a…
Wild Free & Reckless Drizzling rain was steady falling As you waved your last go…
Wild Free and Reckless Drizzling rain was steady falling As you waved your last goo…