If Hank were alive today

[Bill McCloskey]

I would not call the context depressed I think it is melancholic. There seems to be no more room in the world today for this kind of stuff.

I don't know about that. There are lots of great singer songwriters out there that write from the heart. In fact they are everywhere, just probably not on top 40 radio. WFUV here in New York is a station pretty much dedicated to this type of music. http://www.wfuv.org/

A great example on their web page is Ani Defranco. I saw her play solo a few years back at Grey fox and she had the entire audience in the palm of her hand.

Sometimes I wish that instead of crying about the fact that people like Hank Williams aren't around, people would start supporting those who are around and are continuing a tradition.

Good example: Always hear that traditional country is dead. But last night in New York, I went to hear fellow forumite Gerald Menke play with the Dixons, and it was a traditional a country set as you could ask for. All original songs as well, except one: There Stands the Glass.

The stuff is out there. Sometimes I think we are all just a little too lazy or complacent to go out and find it.

[Dave Hopping]

Well,SOMEBODY has to say it...........I'm not at all sure ol'Hank did it this way.

[Joachim Kettner]

Bill,
you can call me lazy (in fact you said we are lazy). Maybe it's because I've listened to so much music in my life, that it sometimes seems ridiculous to me. And with something new, I think mostly: I have heard this before, only better. But it's not that I don't read music papers, or don't buy new things.
Let me correct myself with saying, that there is no more room in the charts for music like this.

[scott murray]

Sounds pretty darn country to me.

[Al Terhune]

If Hank Williams were alive today he would be Hank III. Screw pop country.

That's funny, Kevin -- and maybe true. Putting it in perspective, however, Hank wanted desparately to be a part of mainstream country, despite his battle with the booze that cut many mainstream ties. Hank III couldn't give a crap about being part of the mainstream music, so they are different people. In my opinion, Hank's glittery clothing (sacreligious, say, to the Delmore Brothers) that he began to wear was the beginning of rural country music turning into the commercial country pop music we have this very day.

[Kevin Hatton]

Its true Hank III has done everything possible to be rejected by the media big wigs, but he is a true rebel. Thats why I respect him. Some bad behavior for sure there. I see alot of his grandfather's talent in him. He is VERY aware of the self destructive end of the entertainment business. If the media powers embraced him he would be the biggest thing in country music. Not the kind of show though that I would want my children to go to. Perhaps he will mellow with age. We did some of his music in our band and always got good reception. His music tells the truth. One of the best lines he wrote about Kid Rock: "Its true he's a Yank. He ain't no son of Hank, and if you think so God !!@@ your F@#$% dumb!

[Al Terhune]

And that's why I like Hank III, too, Kevin -- because he doesn't give a rat's rear end what anyone thinks. I haven't listened to his music in a while, but I've got it, and especially dig his hauntingly Hank-senior-like vocals with the old style country. I've not heard that line about Kid Rock, but that's pretty funny.

[Barry Blackwood]

Its true Hank III has done everything possible to be rejected by the media big wigs, but he is a true rebel. Thats why I respect him. Some bad behavior for sure there.

And that's why I like Hank III, too, Kevin -- because he doesn't give a rat's rear end what anyone thinks.

Y'know, I kind of like III, but I am not understanding just how his "don't give a rat's a$$" attitude translates to being a redeeming quality in every instance. Prisons are full of guys who think like this, to the extreme.

[Kevin Hatton]

Yeah, I know. Just look what prison did for Merle Haggard.

[Al Terhune]

Y'know, I kind of like III, but I am not understanding just how his "don't give a rat's a$$" attitude translates to being a redeeming quality in every instance. Prisons are full of guys who think like this, to the extreme.

Barry! I thought we were talking about musicians, not murderers. But then again...Jerry Lee Lewis...Merle -- as Kevin pointed out...Johnny Paycheck...maybe we are talking about murderers and troublemakers. Crikey.

[Chris LeDrew]

The writer states: "If Hank Williams had come along with his music in 2010 instead of 1947, it's likely he would have received no radio play, and no major recording company would have signed him."

I have a problem with this observation. You cannot even consider the world of music we have today without the influence of Hank Williams. Hank influenced practically every genre of music, and to think of him as just showing up now is a skewed idea that requires we change our idea of everything that has happened in music since he died. For better or worse, he has been the inspiration for thousands of performers in all styles during the last 60 years. What we have as a music scene, or business, or whatever in 2010 is partly the result of his existence. It's hard to get my head around the idea of him popping up today. It just doesn't make any sense to look at it that way.

[Alvin Blaine]

If Hank were alive today

He would be really upset about being locked in that coffin for the past 57 years and 4 months!

[Barry Blackwood]

If Hank were alive today

He would be really upset about being locked in that coffin for the past 57 years and 4 months!

Good one, Alvin.

Y'know, I kind of like III, but I am not understanding just how his "don't give a rat's a$$" attitude translates to being a redeeming quality in every instance. Prisons are full of guys who think like this, to the extreme.


Barry! I thought we were talking about musicians, not murderers. But then again...Jerry Lee Lewis...Merle -- as Kevin pointed out...Johnny Paycheck...maybe we are talking about murderers and troublemakers. Crikey.

The point I was trying to make, is that society seems to be very selective in it's perception of the "don't give a damn" attitude. Many entertainment icons are considered "cool" for having it, while a Manson or the like, definitely not cool. Apparently it's all a matter of degrees.

[Kevin Hatton]

Alvin, that's funny.

[AJ Azure]

Charles,

I'm afraid I disagree. Yes, there is a market for selling music that doesn't cost anything to produce on infomercials, but this is not the same thing as being a hit. I'm talking Lady Gaga hit.

Do you honestly think that if Glen Miller were around today, and he was just trying to make it in the industry that he would be a hit along the lines of Lady Gaga? Beyonce, anyone?

No... sorry. I wish that were true, but that is wishful thinking.

and yet Michael Buble and Harry Conick Junior. Not Lady Gaga big but, not too shabby. Harry did help himself with acting but, Buble all singing.

[Charles Davidson]

The classic pop,rock,country,etc on the info mercials [ARE HIT SONGS,HAVE BEEN HIT SONGS FOR 40,50,60. YEARS] Hundreds of them. How many songs in the top TEN TODAY can you name that you think will be selling 50 or 60 years from now. I would still put my money on Glenn Miller over Lady Gaga .But it's just a trival thing,I sure as hell won't be around 60 years from now to find out,just pay the bet to my grand kids. YOU BETCHA.DYK?BC.

[Bill McCloskey]

I guess I'm out of it. I've never heard of Michael Buble.

As far as Lady Gaga and her popularity 50 years from now, I remember when every one said the Beatles were a flash in the pan and wouldn't be played 50 years from now.

In 3 years it will be 50 years since the Beatles were on Ed Sullivan. Anyone think their music has been forgotten?

[Joachim Kettner]

Michael Buble (written with french accent grave ´) is like a second class Elton John. Nothing special.

[AJ Azure]

Michael Buble (written with french accent grave ´) is like a second class Elton John. Nothing special.

works well enough to fill large venues. How you doing in the mass listener dept?

[Chris LeDrew]

I think Buble's voice has a nice, unique tone. Granted he's channeling Frank in a big way, but it's no different than 90% of rock singers imitating nuances of Dylan. He is certainly a huge sensation, with a private jet and a legion of fans around the world. And he's not rapping, which is enough alone to make me sort of like him. Hank however, probably wouldn't be a fan.

[Joachim Kettner]

How you doing in the mass listener dept?[/quote]
Sorry, my english is not good enough to understand your question.
I have two interpretations for it:
1. I don't have any mass following
2. I heard him incidentally on the radio.

[Tracy Sheehan]

I agree that if Hank was just now starting out he would not sell. Too many things wrong for todays music. He dressed well and did not look as if he had just got off a freight train.
I saw him in person in 1949 and again in 1950. I was getting into music my self and had a good ear for it.Thinking back,the band was in tune. Hank sang on key and of course there were no computers to make off key singers sound good. I talked with him the afternoon in 49. He gave me a picture and autographed it.
This was in Norsworthy music store in Wichita Falls,Tx.the afternoon before his show. I had never saw a picture of him and was surprissed how slim he was. Bill Monroe and some others who were also on the show were there. What struck me was Hank was standing by him self behind a counter and looked very sad,lonely or something but was very friendly to me but never smiled.
Strange i can still remember the joke he told that night on Jerry Rivers and remember most of what songs he sang. When i saw him again in 1950 i believe it was he said he was going to sing a song he had written and recorded. Said it would be out soon and hoped people liked it or he was going to go hungrey next month.
For the ones who read Jerry Rivers book about him know he said he didn't understand the hold Hank had over an audience. This is a little long but some may find it intresting,some not. Tracy

[Alan Brookes]

The scenario "If Hank were alive today" suggests the old Hank surviving into old age, NOT a new Hank born recently. That would be a completely different person.

I've always thought that if Hank had survived into the middle 50s he would have been one of the originators of Rock & Roll, just as established Country singers like Bill Haley were. If you watch clips of Hank on stage he was all motion, and he danced his way through the numbers. His "Move It On Over" basically is rock & roll.

Then in the 60s he would have concentrated on ballads, and by now he would be similar to George Jones, an old established star who turned up for the odd show. Like George, he would probably have drunk his way through the 70s, and he'd probably be smoking dope in Willie Nelson's bus.

[Tracy Sheehan]

How many are aware the first rock and roll song that was recorded was written and sang by hank Williams?

[Bill McCloskey]

How many are aware the first rock and roll song that was recorded was written and sang by hank Williams?

I think traditionally, Rocket 88 is considered the first rock and roll song: Ike Turner sang it and recorded it.