Virginia Beach, VA – Are you ready for the country? On a beautiful Saturday night on August 10th, the crowd cheered as the curtain went up for Hank Williams Jr, the rowdy country music singer/songwriter recognized for his blend of traditional country, blues and Southern rock infused with plenty of grit. Hank (nicknamed Bocephus by his father) walked up in a cap and guitar strap branded with, “ICON” ready to rock with fans of all ages at Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
I photographed the first three songs from the soundboard, “Are You Ready for the Country? (Neil Young cover),” “O.D.’d in Denver,” and “The Blues Man.” After stowing my gear in the Live Nation office, I made it back for the 10th song, “Kaw-Liga” (Hank Williams cover) where Bocephus played both the electric guitar and the fiddle, two of the dozen instruments he has mastered.
As he strolled over and sat at the piano, Hank told stories about all those who visited his famous father, including Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Ray Charles and Fats Domino. He then played a medley of “Your Cheatin’ Heart” and Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On.” In wild Lewis fashion, Bocephus ended the song with glissandos on piano using the heel of his boot, then hit the keys with his bottom for the “final note.” Goodness gracious, I’d love to see him take on “Great Balls of Fire.”
Williams then sat alone on stage for a while with his acoustic guitar and sang “Outlaw Women / Dinosaur” and a medley with “All My Rowdy Friends.” In the intro to a Johnny Cash portion of the medley, Williams said, “If you go down to that Country Music Hall of Fame, you’re gonna see my father’s plaque, you’re gonna see my plaque, and you’re gonna learn that June Carter Cash is my godmother.” Then, he started playing “I Walk the Line” to cheers from his fans. During “A Country Boy Can Survive,” the crowd sang along almost drowning Williams out. Then the entire band took the stage for the rest of the show which included “Born to Boogie,” “Rich White Honky Blues,” and “Family Tradition” to end the night.
I must mention a few of his music milestones including playing his first show at age 8, recording his first album at age 14, selling 75 million records, and recording 54 studio albums to date. In 1982, he had 9 albums on the charts at the same time which was a record for country music. In addition to winning multiple Grammys and Emmys, he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2020. He has accomplished a lot 75 years.
Born into a family of country music royalty as Hank Williams’ son, he embraced his heritage while also forging a new path. He merged country with rock and blues, and explored themes of independence, hard living, women, and deep-rooted Southern pride, thus making him an enduring rebellious figure in American music history.
Hank Williams Jr Setlist
1. Are You Ready for the Country? (Neil Young cover)
2. O.D.’d in Denver
3. The Blues Man
4. Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound
5. Move It On Over / Mind Your Own Business (Hank Williams cover)
6. The Conversation
7. Just Call Me Hank
8. All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight / I Like Girls
9. On The Hunt / Gimme Three Steps / Waitin’ for the Bus / La Grange
10. Kaw-Liga (Hank Williams With His Drifting Cowboys cover)
11. Your Cheatin’ Heart / Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On
12. Outlaw Women / Dinosaur
13. All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down) / Theme from Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys) / I Walk the Line / All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)
14. A Country Boy Can Survive
15. Born to Boogie
16. Rich White Honky Blues
17. Family Tradition
Grammy-winning music video where it appears that Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr are performing together, but his father died when he was very young.
Hank Williams Jr Online
Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | TikTok | YouTube
Show Date: August 10, 2024
