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11 Questions With Hank Williams, Jr.

It's a well-known fact that you don't ask Hank Williams, Jr. a question if you don't want an honest answer. The Boot caught Hank while he was spending time at his place in Paris, Tenn., reflecting on the tragic loss of his friend, NFL great Steve McNair, as well as on a happier subject -- his new album, '127 Rose Avenue.' True to his nature, Hank was candid when he answered a few questions for The Boot about everything from playing jokes on friends to his guilty pleasures.

If you were going to be on a reality show, which would you choose?


I hate all of 'em! 'Fishing with Bocephus' is the one I'd be on.


What has surprised you most in your career?


Singing the 'Monday Night Football' theme. Who would ever have thought it would have lasted 21 years? Let's face it, that was a one-year deal with two one-year options that turned into 21. It's become an American sports signature.


What irks you the most about the country music business?


If they don't add Holly's [Hank's daughter Holly Williams] record 'Mama' ... If they don't play my daughter they can kiss my ass.


What celebrity would you not want to be right now?

Probably [Los Angeles Dodger] Manny Ramirez because of the suspension [In June, Ramirez was suspended for 50 games for violating Major League Baseball's performance enhancing drug policy.] He is looked at as one of the greatest hitters who has ever played baseball.


What's the best practical joke you've ever played?

Me and a few of my rowdy friends stole the wheels and tires off a brand-new limited-edition Lincoln Mark III that my manager, Merle Kilgore, had just bought. We left it up on blocks and then we sold his own wheels and tires back to him the next day. That's about the best one of all the jokes and pranks I've ever done.


If you were going to duet with a rapper, who would it be?

Oh there's a bunch of them: Me and Bobby [Kid Rock] do it all the time. Probably Ludacris, and I would have sang with Notorious B.I.G., although he's gone.


If you could put together the world's greatest rock band, who would be in it?

That's kinda hard, let me see ... you'd have Steve Gaines from Lynyrd Skynyrd in it, Duane Allman, probably have Jerry Lee Lewis on piano and Jaimoe from the Allman Brothers on drums. And Leon Wilkeson from Skynyrd on bass.


What is your biggest guilty pleasure?

I like metal detecting, collecting Civil War artifacts, fishing, hunting, cigars, Labradors, the outdoor life, my baseball game, football. When you called, I was working on an old Civil War rifle. You must have hobbies!


If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would it be?


Waylon Jennings. That one's pretty easy.


What song do you wish you had written?

Toy Caldwell's 'Can't You See,' by the Marshall Tucker Band.


Is there any secret left about you that the fans don't know?


Playing the banjo. I used to do that on stage, but I stopped doing that years ago. I guarantee you there's a bunch of the twentysomethings that don't know that, don't know I play banjo and bluegrass.

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gary b.

Hank is incredible, for sure...

August 09 2009 at 12:06 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
william

If you don,t like hank or his son well your just not amerecan I would guess. and as for the women with her ads give us all a break some people just go out and meet.they go to church or even a bar hell some times they meet just by walking by. please leave the smut in your own internet space

August 08 2009 at 6:28 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
deereboy84

I am a 20somethin that grew up listening to Hank Sr.and Jr. I have also heard alot of great songs by Luke the Drifter aka Hank Sr. They both are very talented, if only half the singers today had half the talent either of them have music wouldn't be so strange to my ears. I love his older music like Ajax Mountain and Dinosaur. They just don't make music like that anymore.

August 08 2009 at 6:08 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Ricky Stone

Hank JR...you pick up that banjo and play the Bluegrass. Nothing would be finer. You are awesome. You are the hero of my childhood.

August 08 2009 at 6:02 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
william

You tell 'em Hank!

August 08 2009 at 5:55 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Barbara Michalski

GEORGE STRAIGHT IS NUMBER ONE AS HE IS KIND, GOOD LOOKING,HAS HAD A LOT MORE HIT RECORDINGS AND HE MIGHT BE SELLING MORE THAN ELVIS. HE IS NICE TO HIS FANS, DOES NOT USE BAD LANGUAGE AND IS SINCERE.

August 08 2009 at 5:00 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
barbararealitor

I worked as a stage hand and hank was a complete a-hole to us --he thinks he is god and has no good qualities

August 08 2009 at 4:45 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
poppyman

Hank Schmank f'n b me

August 08 2009 at 4:43 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
M. Mosley

It's unbelievable to me that there are people out there who think Hank Williams. Jr. is one of the greatest of all time. Actually, it's easy to understand why these people feel this way. They like him because he's what they are, a redneck. They relate to him. They see themselves when they look or listen to him. It doesn't matter that he can't carry a tune in a bucket! Honestly people, do any of you really think the drunken dumb ass can sing! I'd rather listen to a braying mule than that idiot!

August 08 2009 at 4:20 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bj

Well yanno, Bocephus, I am just one of thousands of fans, so what I got to say might not count for much.........but I for one would care more about what you got to say if just one of the three times I bought tickets to your show, you had bothered to appear. Being born and raised in Oklahoma,I'm old school country and was so excited to have gotten tickets, but have yet to see a concert.I've spent thousands over the years on concerts, and I must say, those three times are the only three times that were a no show. Country boys can survive, but they also meet their obligations and keep their word. I know, I know alot of them personally.Just some food for thought from someone who's been listening to ya for a very long time. RebelBJ

August 08 2009 at 3:40 AM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply