The Steel Guitar Forum

Dan, what you just said is pretty dead on with exception to his name. His name on his birth certificate is Shelton Hank Williams. His father's name is Randall Hank Williams. Hank sr. and everyone else,for that matter,called baby Randall, Hank jr. When Shelton or III was born in '73 ,he was quickly referred to as Hank III . I know this from a country music anthology book that was published in '75, I got a hold of on ebay.It mentions Hank Jr. just having his first kid and says his full name then calls him Hank III. Again this was in 1975,when he was 2 years old. That name was givin to him . It ain't something he picked up to make it rich! And NO, he doesn't have anything but some small stuff ,ties,etc... of his grandfathers.The rich guy's like Hank jr. ,Alan Jackson,or Marty Stuart pretty much own everything!Even the suit that III is wearing is owned by Marty!

So for everybody hatin',his name really is Hank. He ain't technically the III'rd ,but the 2nd rather because Hank sr. never legally changed his name from Hiram to Hank.

Lots of opinionated geezers here, which is fine. Hank3 puts on a great country show, high-energy, then the fiddler and steeler exit and look out it's hardcore time! So he is plowing his own row so to speak.

Last year I got to work with Shelton (Hank III) on a film being shot nearby.

I've always been a big fan of his honkytonk and, like many, don't really like his 'core stuff. But that's the row he's hoeing and more power to him.

I gotta say, though, what a nice guy he is. Very humble, soft spoken man. When he found out I was a steeler, boy his eyes lit up. We spent the rest of our conversation yakking about Kayton Roberts!

I don't think that Shelton is benefiting much these days from the Williams name. I mean, surely, it got him in the door in Nashville; but, it seems like he has some very public disagreements with the label, as well as a fan base that likes him DESPITE who his father is, not because of it. I don't think the "Hank,Sr." comparison is one that he cultivates.

If there's anyone who hasn't really delved into Hank III's albums, they are worth listening to if only to hear Johnny Hiland melt some faces!

Got all 4 and the next CD "Rebel Within"
comes out the end of May

Nice Bud Larry!


For anyone who hasn't seen it: check out the video of Bobbe Seymour playing with Shelton.

http://www.steelguitar.net/clips.html

I had never heard/seen Hankiii or whatever his real name is until last nite. Looked him up on youtube and he seems to be a pretty fair entertainer. I didn't see too much similarity with Sr. or Jr. His band was excellent and the steel man was topnotch. I liked him less than Sr. and more than Jr.

I met and talked with Hank III years ago, he is a great kid who is trying to do his own thing.If he wants to he can sound just like the Old Hank..I know his mom also...good people, i wish him all the best...

Db

Count me in as a big Hank 3 fan. It was at one of his shows I first saw a non pedal steel guitar. Blew me away. I had been playing pedal for a while and just flipped out at what could be done on a straight steel, no pedals. And the sound. New country people and older types wont get Hank 3, too punk, too country, but thats what I love about him the most. Thats is how Hank sr really was. They didn't kick him off the opry for no reason, and he didn't really care that they did. I'm kinda glad his kind of music isnt too popular. Means I can actually go to a show and enjoy it. What they are doing now with neon lights, choreographed dancing and corny lyrics is just embarrassing and sad. Give me the cow punk guys any day. At least its real. Go Hank 3

I agree, Tom, he's very much like the positives of his grand dad, without even trying.

Andy Gibson plays straight steel and dobro with Shelton and is a the perfect match for the style. His tone and taste are right on the mark. I think that might be the steeler you saw.

Hey Todd, thanks for the info on his name. I knew that Hank was his middle name but had no clue how early the III was used. I do believe that he used the Hank III name with regard to his stage shows when it was time to really make a living in music. I think I saw it in an interview once. I believe prior to that, when he was playing drums in metal bands, he just went by Shelton. I could be wrong. Either way I wish he made it up to Boston more often!