Hank Williams, Jr. has a lot to smile about, including his critically-acclaimed new album '127 Rose Avenue' and a Top 10 single, 'Red, White & Pink Slip Blues.' One thing he is not happy about, however, is the label that released his album, Curb Records ... And in true Bocephus fashion, he isn't about to keep quiet about it. "You want to know the bottom line? This is my last album for Mike Curb," Hank Jr. tells CMT. "He's history."
Citing several different reasons for his anger, the country legend says the label didn't give him the artistic and promotional backing he needed. "They were going to use a picture of me from seven years ago when I was 25 pounds heavier. That was going to be the cover. It was 'Ho hum,' basically. Well, we didn't ho-hum this one."
In spite of his issues with the label, Hank Jr. is determined to get past it and continue with a thriving career on another label home. "We will move onward and upward," he vows. "You just wait. I've had some recording ideas that they didn't care for. Well, there's a lot of other labels that do care about it ... We're going to get off this old, dead sinking ship. One thing about it: You can say, 'The last one he made was damn sure a gem.' I love '127.' We had to do the cover for the album. They didn't do anything. We did everything ..."
After more than 45 years of making music, Hank was content to let other musicians play on most of the songs on his album, with the exception of his cover of his dad's song, 'Long Gone Lonesome Blues.' "I could play on all of them if I wanted to," he says, "but I had to play blues on that one."
An eclectic mix of tunes, from the funny to the serious to the political, Hank even includes a bluegrass song, featuring guest vocals by the Grascals. He also thinks his best songwriting is found on this project. "'Gulf Shore Road' is one of the greatest songs I've ever written," Williams boasts, "and so is 'All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over to Gulf Shore Road.'"
One thing Hank is thankful for is his limited touring schedule, playing only about 20 dates a year, which allows him more time for his beloved outdoor activities. "The bottom line is just like Minnie Pearl said about Daddy. It's all around the fishing and hunting. There ain't a damn bit a difference ...Talent buyers say, 'Well, we'll give you a quarter of a million dollars if you'll come to Denver.' I say, 'S**t no! That's dove season. I can't do that.' And they just look at me like I'm nuts."
On the same day '127 Rose Avenue' was released, 'Here With Me,' by daughter Holly Williams was released, as well as Hank Williams, Sr.'s posthumous release of 'The Unreleased Recordings: Gospel Keepsakes,' making them possibly the only three-generation family in history to release albums on the same day.
Reader Comments(1 of 4)
luv2beachbumat 7-22-2009
Hank Jr. IS a country legend. Unfortunately he's also a loud mouth with an anger management problem that keeps him from being viable anymore. No one wants to work with him in Nashville and he should be kissing Mike Curb's boots for even keeping on the legendary Curb label. I've worked in the country music industry for decades and have met and worked with both Mike Curb and Hank Jr. Mike is a smart, courteous, successful businessman. Hank Jr., not so much. I'm sure Hank's new label (emphasize "NEW" as in open and close their doors within 9 months) will give him all the creative control he desires to continue his anemic career. He needs to settle down and enjoy his legendary status, along with the royalties from the Monday night football theme and the 2 songs of his that still get played on the radio ... and possibly tour to entertain the small niche market who would still pay to see it.
selogybrosat 7-22-2009
you hammer head Hank Jr has more talent than any other.go back to the beach and listen to your bob marley
Hello Loggieat 7-23-2009
if you don't like hank don't like him and if you don't want to hear him then don't.I have been his #1 fan since his first record people didn't like him then,they only wanted him to play his daddy'songs.After the fall he had problems with his record label because they didn't want to release the song he wanted to be released as the single,they lost he went to alabama and cut his album and after that he didn't have to walk in his daddys shadows any longer he wrote his on music and became a legend in his on right.he is the only recording artist in history to have 9 albums on the charts at one time.What you need to do is get a copy of all his music and lock your self up and listen to each song to understand what a great songwriter he is.He is one of the greatest entertainers of all times.Ihave seen him 72 times in the last 43 years
crockettdrumat 7-25-2009
No label will throw their weight behind an artist who won't tour enough to sell lots of product. It's just business.
bob7rob7at 7-22-2009
Giving his age, public problems, and his recording of songs most don't want to hear, he is lucky to have a contract at all. Start singing songs people want to hear, and enough with the protest songs already. Otherwise, you will go the way of Aaron Tippin and the way Daryl Worley will go if he too does not change his ways. Sing about love, fun, happiness, your dog, your kids, life. Anything but protest songs.
thenamenowinuseat 7-25-2009
Bob7 - Yeah, "Top 10" obviously means no one wants to hear it. I am probably the last person in the world who's a fan of Hank's hunting and such but if anything his albums have gotten BETTER in recent years. Maybe you should actually listen to this one or even "I'm One of You" before you start spouting such innane insults. They truly are two of the best. It shows that he's really tried hard to record quality songs. "Red, White and Pink Slip" is a killer, powerful song and it isn't really "protest"ing anything except not being able to make a living. It's not something that was written just to be a hit. I've heard one of the songwriters play it around town for years before Hank recorded it. And FYI, JUST BECAUSE RADIO felt the need to make a hit out of a patriotic song by Aaron Tippin and ignore other incredible music he put out there doesn't mean that's all he is.
Re: the actual story here, I don't get at all why a label would be that lazy with the cover photo. I do really like the one they used! And from the outside looking in, it does seem that Mike Curb has mistreated a LOT of their artists over the years as far as promotion goes. In response to the person that knows Mike Curb - yes, it's a damn shame that only about 2 songs of Hank's get played on the radio. Do you REALLY think it's all Hank's fault???
kellieat 7-22-2009
i agree! he has serious anger issues! great performer, legendary entertainer, but none the less needs a certificate like my buddy tony stewart!
JEROMEat 7-22-2009
anger issues ????????? 45 years singing and he's got issues!!!!!!!!mike curb screws him but he's got issues??????? no he's trying to put out a great product that curb records don't and won't let him !!! not many of your stars today can put on a show like jr does .not many i see can play every insturment in the whole band p;us fiddle and harmonica!!!!!!!!THATS MR HANK WILLIAMS JR. ENTERTAINER
JOEat 7-22-2009
I have been a Hank Jr. fan for a long time he is a briliant entertainer when he wants to be.. I seen him live in 83 and was blown away, his mix of blues with country was like no other...now a days he gets on stage and just barks out songs pushing him self to try and get through the show ..they call it a party when you see him live now a days at times he is briliant you never know which BOCEPHUS will show up he may be burned out of years on the road playing so many gigs in his life time ...make no mistake he is legend and he can call his own shots cause he doesnt need the music industry to tell him what to do...
Steveat 7-22-2009
It's a shame Hank get a hard time because his music doesn't sound lile 70's light rock like the rest of country music. A true country original he's earned the right to do what he wants.
wanagiakicitaat 7-22-2009
This guy is a blowhard with a huge problem. Once you make it to the top you don't run over people and obviously he thinks he can. He hasn't earned the right to be an A**HOLE.
JEROMEat 7-22-2009
he has earned every right in the music industry ,wat noone likes is he speaks his mind .45 years of entertaining ppl yeah he's earned it and my respect .when i was 7yrs old back in the 70's before he fell 500ft off ajax mountain i saw his show at my local country fair in Malone.NY i wanted to meet him the lines were so long for autographs you couldn't get to him he got on his bus my dad knocked on the door Merle Kilgore came out my dad said my son would really like to meet Hank Jr merle said he'd see wat he could do ,2 mins later door opened out walked hank shook my hand sayin someone wants to meet me bamm fan for life!!! thats a true legend Mr Hank Jr
ten10ptat 7-22-2009
I have seen him 2 times in the last year, GREAT PERFORMER, EXTREMELY TALENTED Can't wait to see him again...Anyone who has something to say about his business decisions ..please look up his version of "mind your own business" and listen closely..
kikasscwbyat 7-22-2009
well said
fhouriganat 7-22-2009
Hank Sr & Jr are true country legends. Both had extreme personality disorders, but both are in genius category. Their music and voices are unmistakable. Sr is considered the father of country music.
Ask Willie Nelson.