Williams began his career following in his famed father's footsteps, covering his father's songs and imitating his father's style. Williams' first television appearance was in a 1964 episode of ABC's The Jimmy Dean Show, in which at age fourteen he sang several songs associated with his father. Later that year, he was a guest star on Shindig!.
Williams' style evolved slowly as he struggled to find his own voice and place within country music. This was interrupted by a near-fatal fall off the side of Ajax Peak in Montana on August 8, 1975. After an extended recovery, he challenged the country music establishment with a blend of country, rock, and blues. As a multi-instrumentalist, Williams' repertoire of skills includes guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, steel guitar, banjo, dobro, piano, keyboards, saxophone, harmonica, fiddle, and drums.
From 1989 through October 2011, his song "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight", refashioned as "All My Rowdy Friends Are Here on Monday Night", had been used to open broadcasts of Monday Night Football until it was pulled after Williams made controversial comments comparing President Barack Obama to Adolf Hitler. The song returned to open the show in 2017.
On August 12, 2020, Williams was selected to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Williams' early career was guided, some say outright dominated, by his mother Audrey Williams, who many claim was the driving force that led his father to musical superstardom during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Audrey, in many ways, wished for young Hank to be nothing more than a "Hank Williams, Sr. impersonator", sometimes going as far as to have clothes designed for him that were identical to his father's stage clothes and vocal stylings very similar to those of his father.
Although Williams' recordings earned him numerous country hits throughout the 1960s and early 1970s, he became disillusioned with his role as a 'Hank Williams clone' and severed ties with his mother in order to pursue his own musical direction and tastes. After recording the soundtrack to Your Cheatin' Heart, a biography of his father, Williams, Jr. hit the charts with one of his own compositions, "Standing in the Shadows". The song signalled a move to rock and roll and other influences as he stepped from the shadow of his father.
Also during this time, Williams had his first two No. 1 songs: "All For the Love of Sunshine" (1970, featured on the soundtrack to Kelly's Heroes) and "Eleven Roses" (1972).
By the mid-1970s, Williams had finally found the musical direction that would, eventually, make him a superstar. Williams' unique blend of traditional country with southern rock and blues earned him a devoted following, although some mainstream country radio stations wouldn't touch his new songs in this blatantly untraditional sound.
While recording a series of hit songs, Williams began abusing drugs, including alcohol and eventually tried to commit suicide in 1974. Moving to Alabama, Williams began playing music with Southern rock musicians Toy Caldwell, Marshall Tucker Band and Charlie Daniels, and others.
His last major success was "There's a Tear in My Beer", a duet with his father created using electronic dubbing techniques. The song itself was written by his father, presumably, sometime between 1950 and 1953 and was recorded with Hank Williams playing just his guitar. The music video for the song combined existing television footage of Hank Williams performing and the dubbing techniques transferred the image of Hank Jr. onto the screen, so it appeared as if he were actually playing with his father. The video was an overwhelming success, both critically and commercially. It was named Video Of The Year by both the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country music. Hank Williams, Jr. would go on to win a Grammy award in 1990 for Best Country Vocal Collaboration.
Despite his slumping album sales, Hank Williams Jr. continued to be a popular concert draw during the early 1990s and continued to record, with several of his recordings during this time still managing to achieve gold status, selling 500,000 copies.
He is probably best known today as the performer of the theme song for Monday Night Football, based on "All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight". The opening theme became a classic, as much a part of the show as the football itself. In 1991, 1992, 1993, and 1994, Williams' opening themes for Monday Night Football would earn him four Emmy awards.
Williams opened for Super Bowl XL on February 5, 2006, on ABC and was in the stands as a Pittsburgh Steelers fan.
On April 10, 2006, CMT honored Williams with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award, presenting it to him at the 2006 CMT Music Awards.
On November 11, 2008, Williams was honored as a BMI Icon at the 56th annual BMI Country Awards. The artists and songwriters named BMI Icons have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers".
In 2011, Williams was named one of "Seven Living Legends" of his native Shreveport, Louisiana, by Danny Fox (1954–2014) of KWKH radio. Others named were Bob Griffin of KSLA and KTBS-TV and James Burton. Two others cited, Claude King and Frank Page, both died in 2013.
In 2015, Hank Williams Jr. was Inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall Of Fame.
Ballad of Hank Williams
Hank Williams Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Well, in 1950, I took a little nip
Along with Mr Williams on the way to Mississippi
We were stacked eight deep in a Packard limousine
When we met this promoter in the town of New Orleans
Well the man told daddy he had what it took
And he liked the way he sang and he liked the way he shook
He said pretty soon he'd make us all rich
Now daddy told the man if you wanna make some dough
Take a little money and book me on a show
And we played them dates and we filled the places well
But Hank he done blowed the profit all to hell
Cause he'd run through a ten and he'd run through a twenty
And he'd run through a hundred just as hard as he could go
Like a big (unknown) to a little bitty feller
He'd spend a thousand dollars on a hundred dollar show
Hank looked at me with a funny looking grin
Said I been to the Opry and I'm going back again
We met the owner in a little office there
A big fat fella with some artificial hair
He told Hank he wanted half of everything he made
Or he'd have to tell Audrey bout some women Hank had laid
And you told daddy he'd better get smart
Get rid of them fellas and make a new start
Then he fired my ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
And he fired every body just as hard as he could go
He fired old Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Well every song he made it went to number one
Y'all was workin like hell and you was havin fun
We was ridin every day and playin every night
And every twenty minutes some of us had a fight
Now daddy he was makin money hand over fist
And y'all was getting screwed but you wasn't gettin kissed
Yeah I told him to pass a liitle bit around
But he said he'd rather send it to his folks in Alabama
So he fired your ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
And he fired everybody just as hard as he could go
He fired old Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Now the owner of the Opry he's doin pretty good
He's got a music company that they call Cedarwood
And Hank played nothin but sold out halls
And I was pumpin gas in greasy overalls
Cause he fired my ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
And he fired everybody just as hard as he could go
He fired old Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Hank'd run through a fifty and he'd run through a hundred
And he'd run through a thousand just as hard as he could go
Buying Cadillac coupes paying double alimony
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
The Ballad of Hank Williams by Hank Williams Jr. is a tribute song to his father that provides a glimpse into the life of the country music legend. Don Helms, a steel guitarist who played with Hank Williams Sr., recounts a wild and tumultuous time in the 1950s when he worked with the senior Williams. The song describes their encounters with a promoter in New Orleans who convinced them he could make them rich, the resulting disagreements with the owner of the Grand Ole Opry, and Hank's love for women and spending money.
"Don" Helms recounts how they met a promoter in New Orleans who promised to make them rich. They played lots of shows, but the money flowed out as fast as it flowed in. The song characterizes how Hank spent enormous sums of money on women and shows, eventually leading to disagreements with the owner of the Grand Ole Opry. Hank, like many celebrities, engaged in lavish spending habits and infidelity, which ultimately led to the band's demise. The song's title, Ballad of Hank Williams, offers an elegiac air to the song, showing that while his father's successes were fleeting, his talent has ensured his place in the pantheon of country music.
Line by Line Meaning
Well, in 1950, I took a little nip
In 1950, I had a drink of alcohol.
Along with Mr Williams on the way to Mississippi
Hank Williams and I were traveling to Mississippi together.
We were stacked eight deep in a Packard limousine
There were eight people crammed into a Packard limousine with us.
When we met this promoter in the town of New Orleans
In New Orleans, we encountered a music promoter.
Well the man told daddy he had what it took
The promoter claimed that Hank Williams had the talent to be successful.
And he liked the way he sang and he liked the way he shook
The promoter was impressed by Hank Williams' singing and stage presence.
He said pretty soon he'd make us all rich
The promoter promised that we would all become wealthy soon.
And we started believing that fat sumbitch
We began to trust the promoter's promises.
Now daddy told the man if you wanna make some dough
Hank Williams advised the promoter to book him for a show if he wanted to make money.
Take a little money and book me on a show
Hank Williams told the promoter to invest some money and arrange a performance for him.
And we played them dates and we filled the places well
We had successful performances and attracted large crowds.
But Hank he done blowed the profit all to hell
However, Hank Williams spent all the earnings recklessly.
Cause he'd run through a ten and he'd run through a twenty
Hank Williams spent large sums of money without any caution.
And he'd run through a hundred just as hard as he could go
He spent even larger sums of money just as recklessly.
Like a big (unknown) to a little bitty feller
He spent much more money than necessary, like a giant compared to a small person.
He'd spend a thousand dollars on a hundred dollar show
Hank Williams spent absurd amounts of money on relatively inexpensive shows.
Hank looked at me with a funny looking grin
Hank Williams gave me a strange smile.
Said I been to the Opry and I'm going back again
Hank Williams visited the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville and intended to go there again.
We met the owner in a little office there
We encountered the owner of the Grand Ole Opry in his small office.
A big fat fella with some artificial hair
The Grand Ole Opry owner was a large man with a wig or other artificial hairpiece.
He told Hank he wanted half of everything he made
The Grand Ole Opry owner demanded half of Hank Williams' earnings.
Or he'd have to tell Audrey bout some women Hank had laid
The owner threatened to reveal Hank Williams' extramarital affairs to his wife, Audrey.
And you told daddy he'd better get smart
I advised Hank Williams to be shrewd and strategic.
Get rid of them fellas and make a new start
I suggested that Hank Williams should fire some of his associates and start fresh.
Then he fired my ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
However, Hank Williams proceeded to dismiss me and Jerry Rivers from his group.
And he fired every body just as hard as he could go
Hank Williams let go of nearly everyone associated with him, and did so quickly and decisively.
He fired old Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt
Hank Williams dismissed Cedric and Sammy Pruitt from his group.
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
He dismissed some individuals he had never even met or worked with.
Well every song he made it went to number one
Hank Williams' songs consistently topped the charts.
Y'all was workin like hell and you was havin fun
We all worked very hard, but enjoyed ourselves in the process.
We was ridin every day and playin every night
We traveled and performed constantly.
And every twenty minutes some of us had a fight
Bickering and disagreements were commonplace among the group.
Now daddy he was makin money hand over fist
Despite this, Hank Williams was earning a lot of money very quickly.
And y'all was getting screwed but you wasn't gettin kissed
However, the rest of the group was not receiving their fair share of the earnings.
Yeah I told him to pass a liitle bit around
I suggested that Hank Williams should distribute some of the profits more evenly among everyone.
But he said he'd rather send it to his folks in Alabama
However, Hank Williams preferred to send the money to his family members in Alabama.
So he fired your ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
As a result of my suggestion, Hank Williams fired me and Jerry Rivers from his group.
Now the owner of the Opry he's doin pretty good
The Grand Ole Opry owner is now very successful.
He's got a music company that they call Cedarwood
He owns a music company known as Cedarwood.
And Hank played nothin but sold out halls
Hank Williams continued to perform to packed audiences.
And I was pumpin gas in greasy overalls
In contrast, I was working a menial job as a gas station attendant.
Hank'd run through a fifty and he'd run through a hundred
Hank Williams spent large sums of money recklessly and extravagantly.
And he'd run through a thousand just as hard as he could go
He spent even greater sums of money just as recklessly.
Buying Cadillac coupes paying double alimony
Hank Williams purchased expensive cars and was paying double alimony to his ex-wives.
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Hank Williams dismissed some individuals he had never even met or worked with.
Contributed by Jake Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
BrowzerJrNJoezeph
I like "I see the light," by hank williams sr.
Hank Jr.
Your daddy is the best.
He sang great.
My mom and I sit and listen to his albums.
Tyvvm.
Your daddy and you are the best.
Tyvvm in Sharing.
God bless.
Christine Morrison
(Don, tell us how it really was when you was working with daddy)
Well, in 1950, I took a little nip
Along with Mr Williams on the way to Mississippi
We were stacked eight deep in a Packard limousine
When we met this promoter in the town of New Orleans
Well the man told daddy he had what it took
And he liked the way he sang and he liked the way he shook
He said pretty soon he'd make us all rich
And we started believing that fat sumbitch
Now daddy told the man if you wanna make some dough
Take a little money and book me on a show
And we played them dates and we filled the places well
But Hank he done blowed the profit all to hell
Cause he'd run through a ten and he'd run through a twenty
And he'd run through a hundred just as hard as he could go
Like a big (unknown) to a little bitty feller
He'd spend a thousand dollars on a hundred dollar show
Hank looked at me with a funny looking grin
Said I been to the Opry and I'm going back again
We met the owner in a little office there
A big fat fella with some artificial hair
He told Hank he wanted half of everything he made
Or he'd have to tell Audrey bout some women Hank had laid
And you told daddy he'd better get smart
Get rid of them fellas and make a new start
Then he fired my ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
And he fired every body just as hard as he could go
He fired old Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Well every song he made it went to number one
Y'all was workin like hell and you was havin fun
We was ridin every day and playin every night
And every twenty minutes some of us had a fight
Now daddy he was makin money hand over fist
And y'all was getting screwed but you wasn't gettin kissed
Yeah I told him to pass a liitle bit around
But he said he'd rather send it to his folks in Alabama
So he fired your ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
And he fired everybody just as hard as he could go
He fired old Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Now the owner of the Opry he's doin pretty good
He's got a music company that they call Cedarwood
And Hank played nothin but sold out halls
And I was pumpin gas in greasy overalls
Cause he fired my ass and he fired Jerry Rivers
And he fired everybody just as hard as he could go
He fired old Cedric and he fired Sammy Pruitt
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Hank'd run through a fifty and he'd run through a hundred
And he'd run through a thousand just as hard as he could go
Buying Cadillac coupes paying double alimony
And he fired some people that he didn't even know
Bonnie Dykes
That is Don Helms, who played steel guitar for Hank Williams, Sr. as one of the Drifting Cowboys. This is one of my all-time favorites.
Clint Walls
Greatest steel guitar player Ever!!😀🤗
Randy Kandle
He is an absolute legend. My favorite steel guitar player. He played with 'ol Waylon too.
Winston Tucker
I've read recently Don Helms wrote this. It's a great tune and obviously based on true stories. Don played on every number one record of Hanks'. The Drifting Cowboys were already a band when Hank met them. He hired them to back him at the Louisiana Hayride and kept them on.
Eric Bond
Yes true
Gary Outdoors
Actually Hank had The Drifting Cowboys band since he was 14. That was a lot of Drifting Cowboys!!
Craig Sinclair
No matter how old I ever get, I'll always see my Daddy dance and sing whenever I hear this tune amongst many other classics.
Logan Swofford
Hank is a country legend!
Paul-E G'z
Nobody has near the hits hank Jr has, not even close
Jared
@Paul-E G'z George strait, Alan Jackson, and Alabama