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.
Old School
Hank Williams Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
'Cause he’d hand me his cigarette when he’d go out to sing
And the good old Marshall Chucker Band back in eighty-three
Was a special night, they asked me come on out, play Can’t You See
Darlene was a teenage girl when I first met her, wow
Jeremy played rock 'n roll at my house and I’m proud
I’m from the old school
But I learned a thing or two from some pretty good teachers
My education has served me well
One look at me and you can tell my music’s true
The class reunion of the blues
I’m from the old school
Well things were kinda rough at times
I had to find my way
Not exactly an overnight sensation like some are today
Hey I’m a dinosaur, that’s for sure
But here’s what I gotta say
To anyone that questions my credentials, hi I'm Hank
And I'm from the old school
But I made up some new rules
And you might learn a thing or two if you hang around
I’ll teach you to write and play and sing 'em
Take these guitars out and string 'em
It will make your music true
A class reunion of the blues
I’m from the old school
And after all the songs I sang
Let's stop and have a drink from my old bar stool
Hey everybody, here's to the old school
In this song, "Old School," Hank Williams Jr. reminisces about his early days in the music industry and how he learned from some of the greatest musicians of his time. He begins by recalling when he shared a stage with Johnny Cash and jokes about how Cash would hand him his cigarette when he went out to sing. Williams also recalls a special night in 1983 when he played with the Marshall Chucker Band and performed the classic song "Can't You See." He even mentions a teenage girl named Darlene whom he met and the talented rock 'n roll musician Jeremy who played at his house.
Despite being from the "old school," Hank Williams Jr. asserts that he made up his own rules and learned a great deal from the musicians he encountered throughout his career. He proudly declares that his music is true and authentic, and anyone who questions his credentials can take a look at him and see it for themselves. He even offers to teach others how to write, play, and sing true music. In the end, he raises a toast to the old school and acknowledges the lessons he learned from those who came before him.
Overall, "Old School" is a celebration of the rich history of country and rock 'n roll music and the influential people who helped shape it. It's a tribute to the music that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire new generations of musicians.
Line by Line Meaning
I remember a young Johnny Cash waiting in the wings
I recall a time when Johnny Cash was a young and upcoming musician who would wait backstage and give me his cigarette when he went out to perform.
'Cause he’d hand me his cigarette when he’d go out to sing
Johnny Cash would pass me his cigarette as he went out to perform his music.
And the good old Marshall Chucker Band back in eighty-three
Back in 1983, I played with the Marshall Chucker Band, and it was a memorable performance.
Was a special night, they asked me come on out, play Can’t You See
It was a memorable night when the Marshall Chucker Band invited me to play the song Can't You See.
Darlene was a teenage girl when I first met her, wow
When I first met Darlene, she was a young teenager, and I was impressed by her youth and energy.
Jeremy played rock 'n roll at my house and I’m proud
I have fond memories of Jeremy playing rock n' roll music at my house, and I'm proud to have been a part of it.
I’m from the old school
I am a musician who comes from a traditional background with roots in classic country music.
But I made up my own rules
While I come from a traditional background, I have created my own style and approach to making music.
But I learned a thing or two from some pretty good teachers
Despite creating my own approach to music, I have also learned valuable lessons from other experienced musicians.
My education has served me well
The knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my career have been beneficial and valuable.
One look at me and you can tell my music’s true
My style and approach to music is authentic, genuine, and sincere.
The class reunion of the blues
My music is reminiscent of a reunion of classic blues musicians and their traditional style.
Well things were kinda rough at times
My journey to success as a musician has not always been smooth sailing and had some difficult moments.
I had to find my way
I had to navigate my own path and create my own approach to making music.
Not exactly an overnight sensation like some are today
I did not achieve success overnight like some modern musicians seem to do with the help of social media and streaming platforms.
Hey I’m a dinosaur, that’s for sure
I am an old-school musician and proud of it, with a traditional approach to making music.
But here’s what I gotta say
Even though I come from a traditional background, I have important insights and lessons to pass on to other musicians.
To anyone that questions my credentials, hi I'm Hank
To anyone who doubts my qualifications or musical abilities, let me introduce myself: my name is Hank Williams Jr.
And you might learn a thing or two if you hang around
By spending time around me and learning from my experience, aspiring musicians may gain valuable knowledge and insights.
I’ll teach you to write and play and sing 'em
I am willing to help musicians learn how to write songs, play instruments, and sing with skill and authenticity.
Take these guitars out and string 'em
Let's take some guitars out and get to playing some authentic, old-school country music.
It will make your music true
By discovering your own voice and approach to making music, you can create an authentic and sincere musical style.
And after all the songs I sang
After years of performing and writing music, I have gained valuable knowledge and experience.
Let's stop and have a drink from my old bar stool
Let's take a moment to appreciate the rich history of classic country music and the lessons it has imparted upon us, while sipping drinks from my old bar stool.
Hey everybody, here's to the old school
Let's raise a glass and pay homage to the old-school musicians and their legacy in shaping the genre of country music.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@Leviredding1861
Im 13 and Sr and Jr are my all time favorites and always will be Hank Jr showed me a new path not to follow what everyone else is he taught me to be true do things your own way and don't let anyone stop you.
@neledahm5179
And if anyone questions my credentials: Hi, I'm Hank.
Damn strong line. Gives me chills every time.
@Mrgrandy
Hell yeah
@ronchris1040
Hank Jr's still the Boss of southern rock country! !!!!!
@hankwilliamsjr302
Thanks for your lovely comment...
@IzukuMidoriya7305
Im 12, turning 13. Hank Jr and David Allan Coe are mostly my favorite singers. I love country music.
@gymjim100
This is why I Love You Hank......First Concert I ever seen ....Legend Valley,OH .....3rd row with my brother......Nothing Better!!!!
@hankwilliamsjr302
Thanks for your lovely comment I really appreciate....
@johnnymason8041
Grateful for the old school
@txdean1166
I was signing to my baby brother. Hank songs. About 1984. I been to your shows you were so drunk you spilled beer on me.