Saying that Hank Williams Jr. is the best is probably a bold statement, but let’s just say that, for me and my family, he really is. My grandfather was a big fan of Hank’s father, and my father and I are fans of both. However, Hank Jr. is definitely on the top of my list.
I grew up with country music, it’s the only music that speaks to my soul. Ever since I was a child, there was always music in our family. My grandfather could play the guitar. He wasn’t a professional musician, but he liked to get his guitar out every now and then, and strum it, and sing either some old folk songs or Hank Sr.’s. My siblings and I would always gather ‘round him and watch him play, sometimes sing along, and just pass the time that way. We especially liked to do this on the porch after dinner in the summer. We had a banana pudding almost every day, and then a little sing-along right before bed. It was just like in the movies. I have many great memories from those times.
Hank Jr.’s music really helped me get through high school, he was often the only music I would listen to. Him and Johnny Cash, of course. This is how I and my wife met, at a country bar, getting into a conversation about them. We were 18 and nearly done with high school, and some of our mutual friends organized a huge get-together at that bar, and they were playing Johnny Cash in there. Folsom Prison Blues started playing and it’s how we started talking. She was also a Hank Jr. fan and at that moment I knew he would be an important person in my life.
It’s great to have an anchor in life, and for me, it’s Hank’s music. I listen to him when I’m happy, sad, or angry, or when I’m driving, fixing things around the house, cooking a meal for my family (I make a mean roast – thanks to John for the knife tips), and even when I’m not doing anything and just want to rest a little.
As you can deduce from all this, Hank Jr.’s music has been there for me for years, and it’s the main reason why I’m such a fan. I’ve never belonged to a fan club, but if you like Hank as much as I do, feel free to leave a comment!
