Chris Stapleton and Hank Williams Jr. Announce Co-Headlining Tour
Folks wondering about the touring capacity of Chris Stapleton after his recent success and who he might be paired up with in a possible show lineup, just received their answer. Announced Thursday (1-12), Hank Williams Jr. will be sharing the stage with Chris Stapleton for a select number of tour dates in August of 2016. At the moment, the tour only consists of eight dates focusing around Florida, Texas, and the Midwest. More dates could be announced in the future, but Hank Jr. has been known in the last few years for only playing about eight to fourteen concert dates annually, so don’t expect a massive tour with these two names to take shape.
Hank Williams Jr. just released a new album on NASH Icon Records called It’s About Time. It is his first record since 2012’s Old School New Rules. Hank has been proclaiming this new record is his best yet, and that he expects it to go platinum, but recent sales projections from HITS Daily Double only have the icon selling between 24,000 to 27,000 copies during its debut week, with his tour mate Chris Stapleton beating him with 35,000 to 40,000 sold and coming in at #1 in country again.
These dates are the first announced non festival tour dates for Chris Stapleton after his recent success. He’s also scheduled to play Bonnaroo and Coachella in 2016. For some Stapleton fans, this news will come as a relief after wondering if the songwriter would be paired with some of pop country’s current stars on a tour, however the question still remains just how well Chris Stapleton can do as a live draw after the massive sales numbers he’s accrued for his debut album Traveller. At the moment, the album is poised to be the best-selling title in the last 18 months in the country genre. By the time August rolls around, Ampitheaters with a co-headliner might feel tiny compared to the demand for tickets.
READ: The Case Against Chris Stapleton As Country Music’s Savior
Chris Stapleton / Hank Jr. Tour Dates:
Aug. 5 Tampa, Fla. — MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre
Aug. 6 West Palm Beach, Fla. — Coral Sky Amphitheatre
Aug. 12 Houston, Texas — Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
Aug. 13 Austin, Texas — Austin360 Amphitheater
Aug. 19 Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio (Cleveland)– Blossom Music Center
Aug. 20 Clarkston, Mich — DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 26 Noblesville, Ind. (Indianapolis) — Klipsch Music Center
Aug. 27 Cincinnati, Ohio — Riverbend Music Center
January 21, 2016 @ 9:03 am
I really thought Hank would have been a good tour partner with Eric Church this year. Hank could play the role Dwight did in 2014
January 21, 2016 @ 9:07 am
The thing about Hank Jr. is he tours so infrequently, when he does play shows, he can fill out an amphitheater himself. When Dwight opened for Eric Church, Dwight was playing mostly casino halls, which are about half to a third of the capacity. I do think a Hank Jr. / Eric Church pairing would be a good fit, better than Hank Jr. / Stapleton on paper at least.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:40 am
When Hank Jr. & Eric toured together in 2010, it was a really good fit. It was right when “Smoke A Little Smoke” was released and he was starting to gain traction with radio. The crowd was really enthusiastic the entire show. Could be interesting to see if they pair up again this fall, as Eric likes to rotate his opening acts. Kacey Musgraves is on the bill for several of the shows that Eric is headlining this summer, so I’m anxious to see if she will play a role in his fall tour, too.
January 26, 2016 @ 4:44 pm
I was 16 years old in 2010 when I saw Hank Jr., Jamey Johnson, Eric Church, and the Grasscals in Nashville. Talk about a kicka*s night of music. I had been turned onto Eric Church already and That Lonesome Song was still pretty hot. It was my first bocephus show as well. First concert my folks let me loose to go see alone. That was a night that will not be forgotten.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:03 am
I’m shocked, he beat Sturgill to amphitheaters.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:12 am
I think Hank Jr. can fill out amphitheaters on his own as long as he has a decent opener to help draw too. You add Stapleton to the mix and it’s a no brainer. So I wouldn’t necessarily say this is Cris Stapleton headlining amphitheaters, though I think he probably could. The way promoters work these days though, you have to prove you can have sold out shows at the lower levels first, and then they’ll give you the opportunity at bigger venues. And by August, Sturgill may be in amphitheaters himself. We’ll see.
January 21, 2016 @ 5:05 pm
Sturgill has played at a couple of amphitheater shows already if I’m not mistaken. Given, they were co-headlined with Isbell. At least I believe they were. They did one in Raleigh mid-last year.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:55 am
Nah I guarantee you, he more than likely will beat Sturgill to the Coliseums at some point. I will say this though, if they ever come to Biloxi together, I’ll probably just come over and watch Stapleton’s set but after he’s done I’m leaving because Hank Jr. is a fucking dip shit.
Hell here’s an unpopular opinion for you: I would’ve had him better paired with Garth compared to this.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:03 am
I kind of feel like Stapleton associating with Jr. might hurt his chances of winning over the crowd that he’ll impress with with SNL and the Grammy’s.
This probably won’t get him in front of many country radio listeners. So I find this odd.
Who’s playing last in this billing? I assume Jr.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:15 am
I agree it’s not an ideal pairing, though it’s better than pairing Stapleton with Kenney Chesney like what happened with Kacey Musgraves. I can see the shallow-minded promoters of mainstream country thinking, “Ooh! Chris Stapleton is all hairy and stuff like an Outlaw, he’d go great with Hank Jr.!” and completely miss the fact that there’s a huge appeal for his music across the panoramic, including with the NPR crowd, and indie country fans who don’t always associate with Outlaw country, or the conservative values crowd Hank Jr. attracts.
January 21, 2016 @ 11:13 am
I agree with six string Richie.
I don’t care a whole lot about a singer’s politics, and I like some of Jr’s music, but he is so over the top about his politics, and in such a terrible vein, that I think the association with him is not so good news for a lot of potential Stapleton fans.
I’m sure lots of people don’t care about any of that. but I don’t consider myself terribly focused on such things, and it still gave me kind of a sinking feeling.
January 24, 2016 @ 9:41 am
Stapleton has clearly taken notes from Coe, Daniels and Jr so I don’t see the issue. I don’t see why Stapleton would need to cozy up to the NPR crowd by touring with some act that fits the NPR bill considering he is supposed to be Country and not whatever “progressive” flavour of the month NPR is all about. I see this as a good move distancing himsef from that garbage. My impression is he is making music for Country fans not your stereotypical latte drinking interlopers. I wasnt a huge fan of Traveller but this is a good chance to take more notes from a living legend.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:23 am
I don’t like the guy who is supposed to be the guy breaking down the door for modern traditional-style country music to be touring with a relic from the past.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:32 am
Hank Jr. is no relic, he’s one of the most iconic entertainers in the genre, and has a huge fanbase spanning multiple generations. He’s one of the most beloved figures in Country Music and has been for several decades and his career has far and away outlasted his Country Rock peers.
He has the star power to do and say anything he wants in Country Music, even if he probably shouldn’t some of the time. The only other person in this genre who has that kind of status is George Strait, and by comparison to Hank Jr. he’s a pretty boring, laid-back fellow who wouldn’t be much fun to pal around with. If Hank Jr. ever felt so inclined he could show these bros what for with both music AND attitude, but as John Wayne would have said:
“I believe he’s so good he doesn’t feel he needs to prove it to anyone.”
Hank Jr. is far and away the most talented member of the Williams family, he can sing the broadest range of notes, play more instruments and better than the rest, and write some of the best tunes anyone in Country Music has ever written, ‘cepting of course his daddy.
January 21, 2016 @ 10:39 am
Since the mid-1990s, Hank Jr. hasn’t been what I would call relevant in the music industry. He’s just a greatest hits tour. Nothing wrong with that and Eagles proved that’s not a bad thing for the long-term. For Stapleton, though, it’s not exactly the crowd I had in mind for the guy in the best position to lead a revolution against what has been on the radio lately.
January 21, 2016 @ 11:10 am
If we’re going for older outlaw/Rock-country people, I’d have paired him with Steve Earle.
The NPR crowd loves that dude.
Although, they might be trying to broaden Stapleton’s base with this move.
January 21, 2016 @ 11:30 am
Maybe so, but Steve Earle is not a big enough live draw to co-headline with Stapleton. When he plays DC, it’s at the 500 seat Birchmere.
January 21, 2016 @ 11:32 am
Quite true. I’m really not sure if there’s anyone in that Americana scene big enough to pair with Stapleton, right now.
January 21, 2016 @ 12:59 pm
I agree Earle doesn’t draw enough, and I am not sure any of the Americana folks do, unless it is break outs like Mumford or Avett Brothers, but they probably are not country enough (oldtime/folk, but not country.) I think a better pairing would be with someone like Dwight Yoakam or Willie Nelson, who do appeal more to Americana folks. Jason Isbell and Dwight did a few dates together which went well, including Riverbend, where Hank Jr and Chris are playing in Cincy. The Jason/Isbell show was fantastic, though I did have to ask some folks to be quiet while Jason opened. (They were very apologetic, and shut up, so all was cool.)
January 21, 2016 @ 3:21 pm
A lot of the Americana folks don’t want to play ampitheaters. They will if they have to like the Avett Brothers, but I think Jason Isbell (the biggest draw in Americana) is perfectly happy to sell out theaters, and do a Red Rocks show here and there. The story is Sturgill Simpson could have done another leg with Zac Brown Band on the big venue tour, and made more money than he could selling out clubs. But he decided not to because he wanted to build his own name up and start in a more intimate setting.
January 21, 2016 @ 1:15 pm
I think Hank Jr. is more than capable of staging a comeback so massive it would rock the Country Music Universe, he has the chops and he’s not over the hill yet.
But he’s coasting on his laurels and enjoying what I’m assuming must be an awesome semi-retirement given the money I assume he made during his peak years.
January 21, 2016 @ 10:56 am
Sorry, JR is a legacy act nowadays. Relic might be harsh, maybe not.
January 24, 2016 @ 9:42 am
Old farts and jackasses right? Get the fuck out of here…
January 21, 2016 @ 9:31 am
Trigger, this is off topic, but I was wondering if there is a name for the kind of hat Stapleton sports, i.e. the one in the picture you included. I have seen it on Waylon, Paycheck and others from the Outlaw era. Even Stonewall Jackson sported one on the cover of his Little Darlin’ outlaw album. It certainly seems to be an aesthetic nod to the trappings of that musical movement.
January 22, 2016 @ 2:31 pm
I’m not sure if there is a specific name for it. It’s a straw cowboy hat obviously (as opposed to felt, wool, beaver, or leather) but I don’t know if the brim style has a specific name. As for the accouterments on the front including the turquoise pendant, you can find those kinds of things in cool hat shops and Native American shops if you know where to look, but I’m not sure if that has a specific name either.
January 23, 2016 @ 7:00 am
@ Shastacatfish… Stapleton typically wears Charlie One Horse hats and they offer several styles with that throwback feathered hat band.
January 21, 2016 @ 9:40 am
I’ll see if I can get to the Austin show. C-Stape opened for Jr at the 2015 NY State Fair, so perhaps the idea of touring together stemmed from that ?
January 21, 2016 @ 9:57 am
I would sure like to catch one of these shows if they pass through Tn.
January 21, 2016 @ 10:56 am
One of my relatives in Virginia says they’re supposed to be there, too. I don’t know the details, but I figure there will be other dates announced.
January 21, 2016 @ 7:46 pm
Oops. They said they were mistaken about the VA info.Sorry.
January 21, 2016 @ 10:12 am
I’m hoping to get tickets to the show in Michigan.
January 21, 2016 @ 11:05 am
This pairing seems interesting to me.
It’s by no means terrible, or even among the worst possible match-ups. But I just get the impression that they’re speaking to two completely different demographics.
Especially as the 2016 presidential election shapes up. Most of the time Bocephus’ name drew national attention in 2012, it had to do with his political commentary instead of his music. So I have to admit, there is a fair amount of risk in pairing yourself with someone who is most certainly unlikely to keep quiet on stage. Especially since several songs from his latest album play squarely to his ideology and political beliefs. He has every right to play them of course, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he prefaces them with passionate mini-speeches and heated rhetoric.
There are other reasons I think these two gentlemen speak to notably different audiences, but this is the one I think makes this most risky. Stapleton, in contrast, is one whose mainstream career is at a high presently and is known to be rather soft-spoken and laid-back. There’s not a single interview, in fact, where I’ve seen him discuss current affairs. So in the event Hank Jr. says something that’s considered inflammatory by many, it may not draw the kind of attention Stapleton desires nor needs at this point.
My guess as to why they’ve paired up is just out of mutual admiration. Stapleton respects Bocephus as a living legend, and Bocephus respects Stapleton as a worthy successor of wielding the baton for heartland music. Which that, alone, is damn solid.
January 24, 2016 @ 9:46 am
Uh Stapleton covered a Charlie Daniels song off of ‘Simple Man’ no less. Go listen to the title track and tell me how that is any less “inflammatory” then what Jr does…
January 24, 2016 @ 10:06 am
You might have had a point if he had covered the actual title track. But he didn’t, so you don’t.
January 24, 2016 @ 10:33 am
You may have a point if Stapleton covered “Dixie State of Mind” or “The South is Gonna do it Again” but hes not, he is opening a show for Hank Jr…
January 21, 2016 @ 11:07 am
Well, not that anyone asked, but I’m not thrilled. I hope I will be able to go to a Chris Stapleton show without having to buy tickets for a Hank Jr concert. I like some of Jr’s music, but would not spend my money on going to his concert. Also, I agree with the comments above that this is the wrong crowd to launch Stapleton. I don’t find that the people I know who really appreciate Hank Jr are really very easy to get excited about Stapleton. But that’s just anecdotal.
There are worse pairings, but they sure could have done better.
That said, have you seen Stapleton do Outlaw Women on youtube? God I love that song.
January 21, 2016 @ 11:12 am
I think the lack of crossover might be what Stapleton’s going for, though. This opens up a new audience for him; one that wasn’t necessarily watching the CMAs or SNL.
January 21, 2016 @ 11:33 am
Maybe the two guys just like each other, and each other’s music, and think they’ll have a good time doing some shows and a bit of touring together.
Based on the little I know, neither of them gives me the impression that they care first and foremost about money.
January 21, 2016 @ 2:38 pm
I’m sure that this pairing is first & foremost about money. Each of them stand to sell more records by trading audiences.
January 21, 2016 @ 2:47 pm
Through Jamey Johnson in the mix. That would be awesome. Johnson, Stapleton and Hank Jr. Wow!!
January 21, 2016 @ 3:12 pm
People Hank Jr is a true legend.. His politic don’t mean shit to me. Hank can certainly draw a crowd on his own to fill Amphitheaters. I saw him in Orange Beach, AL. I walked away very impressed with his entertaining skills. Hell he is Garth Brooks but can play the shit out of all he instruments on the stage. His 70s and 80s stuff is very good country music. I disagree with the majority. I want Chris to get the Hank audiance. They will like him. Let the snow balling continue.
January 21, 2016 @ 8:22 pm
Thank you Dogit, and thanks to Fuzzy TwoShirts for explaining that Hank Jr. is not a “relic”. He has had a huge influence on country music. If you were born after 1980, you probably do not remember that Hank and Alabama were the biggest acts in country music in the 1980’s. In 1982, he had 9 albums on the Billboard Charts at the same time – something that nobody else has ever done. When he was doing 40-50 shows a year and would come to Carbondale, there would be 20-25 of us walking the halls at the high school the next day with our newly acquired Hank shirts on from the concert the night before. And Hank was a gateway into country music for many kids who would not listen to country, but they would listen to Hank. When you would look at someone’s tape case (this is a case designed to hold cassette tapes if you do not know what these are. This is how we listened to music in the good ole days, before CD’s were popular) they would have cassette’s from AC/DC, Def Leppard, Guns N’ Roses, ZZ Top, and most of them had a copy of “Hank Live” as well.
I seen him in Louisville when Eric Church and Jamey Johnson opened for him. I was already a fan of Jamey Johnson’s, but I was not familiar with Eric Church. Eric put on an excellent performance and I now have a couple Eric Church cd’s in my collection, although I am not the biggest Eric Church fan.
I think these shows with Hank and Chris Stapelton are going to “recruit” new listeners for both of them. The Hank Jr fans are going to be exposed to a guy who could be the next torchbearer for the outlaw movement. For those that are going to see Chris Stapelton, they will get a chance to see a country music legend and might come away with a different perspective on his music.
Does anyone else classify Chris Stapelton as an outlaw?
That is where I see him, along with Sturgill. They may not like being classified that way, and certainly not all of their songs fit that mold, but that is how I have them classified. After all, Chris does have a song called “Outlaw State of Mind” on his cd.
January 22, 2016 @ 6:10 am
Alright guys, you’re helping me come around. 🙂
Though I don’t think you can really call Chris Stapleton an outlaw.
January 22, 2016 @ 9:32 am
As a Stapleton fan, I like the fact that he stretches himself musically in every sort of direction, from as far left an audience as a Lennon tribute to as far right an audience as a tour with Bocephus. His writing is of course also quite varied, from the most traditional to the least, and in 2010, he fronted both a bluegrass band and a rock band. In the last week, such divergent figures as Charlie Daniels and Howard Stern mentioned that they liked “Traveller.” On a personal level, Hank Jr is an interesting choice, because I’m an Alabamian, my aunt sold tickets to a concert where he opened for Waylon, and even more interesting to me is that he bought an dulcimer handcrafted by my father’s first cousin L.O.Stapleton back in the day. For any of Hank’s faults, he’s a damn fine musician when he wants to be.
January 21, 2016 @ 4:50 pm
Awful pairing. Co-headline? If Stapleton really is the man, he doesn’t need Bocephus on this tour. This is an overpriced show worth skipping. There are so many other things to spend money on.
January 21, 2016 @ 7:22 pm
Beard:
The term ‘Beard’ is used to describe a person who is being used by another person to cover something up. This can range from gay men using a girlfriend as a beard to make people think he is straight, or someone using a friend to make people think they are hanging out with them when really they are with someone else.
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Beard
January 21, 2016 @ 7:55 pm
This seems way to forced by the Stapelton folks for my liking. Ok we get it, your country, you wear a drench coat and an outlaw hat but you don’t have to tour with Hank Jr. too.
But I respect Stapeltons music too much to critique him. Just do what you do Chris, forget the labels.
January 22, 2016 @ 10:16 am
Will Hoge should open for Chris Stapleton.
Ted Nugent should co-headline with Hank II.
It’s not difficult, people.
January 22, 2016 @ 12:06 pm
The same people who seem to pick mainstream tour pairings seem to be the same people who pick single releases. And none of them seem to have a clue about the people who listen to music.
January 22, 2016 @ 11:36 pm
I am gonna see them in Houston, gotta give Chris a fair shake. (And I gotta see Hank before one of us gets too old). I will let you know how the show is. But it is not til August I bet tickets sell out real fast.
SCM is on the fast track by the way to being one of the most recognized blogs out there (if it ain’t already) in country music. They were talking about you trigger on two other forums I saw recently. You should demand an interview with Chris and sturgill. Tell em “do you know who I am”
January 22, 2016 @ 11:42 pm
Ha! Well I was the first guy to ever interview Sturgill, though it was kind of weird because he’d told me “no” half a dozen times, and then all of a sudden he was feeling froggy and wanted to do one and I was unprepared. I also ran an interview with Stapleton last year before everything started going crazy with him:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/in-the-moment-with-chris-stapleton-an-interview-on-traveller/
I’m glad the word is spreading.
January 23, 2016 @ 1:08 pm
I discovered your site largely because of Stapleton, but have since enjoyed learning about many artists that I wasn’t familiar with. I know that due to the nature of the beast when reading a critic site and user comments on any subject, a thick skin is often necessary. That’s just part of it. Even then, it’s generally much better for the artists to be discussed than not at all. For anyone in a comment section saying this artist or that artist is “great” or “sucks,” there are probably and hopefully many more readers out there looking up the music and deciding for themselves. For the artists, just having the chance to be heard is the important net positive.
January 23, 2016 @ 1:34 am
That’s really cool. I read all the comments, man I am surprised Hank doesn’t have the respect I feel he deserves. In Texas everyone loves him, he is one of my favorites. I went and got a Hank/ruger tattoo in like2006 when he wasn’t doing anything.( got Waylon flying w the next year). Politics shouldn’t mix too much with music and I think maybe some have taken some of the things he says and does out of context. I think most Republicans don’t understand their own party and most liberals take the it too far. Both are owned by this that and the other, what does that have to do with pentatonic blues scale. The reason why I rally so hard against bad music is that it has no heart and it will poison the well. Hank is all time best can’t be topped. When he puts out a song like keep the change I don’t even hear it. I just refer to major moves, weatherman, anymore love songs.
January 23, 2016 @ 2:31 pm
I think Chris stapleton sucks….. I think people are sheep he wins some cmas now hes the latest craze Hank at 66 years old will blow stapleton off the stage Hes sold 70 million albums and a 5 time entertainer of the year. Everyone must talk shit about Hank Jr. Somebody must like him hes been selling out shows for 6 decades
January 24, 2016 @ 10:05 am
Don’t worry there are plenty of people who aren’t ashamed about the redneck, hillbilly, Southern past of Country music and still love Hank Jr (ive seen him twice the last 5 years, once north of the border and both sold out). The idea that it must appeal to the NPR crowd (the ones who ignore or are ashamed of the past) is absolutely insane. The comments in this thread just prove the myopia of certain Country interlopers. I go to local shows and almost everyone will play a Jones, Waylon, Merle, Willie and Sr song but literally ONE has ever played a Jr song and NONE a Charlie Daniels number. I have never understood the Hank Jr hate. I own almost every record he has done since his accident and cherish them. No one can do it like Jr (and probably never will). Ive turned many friends (country fans) on to Jr who for whatever reason had not been a fan prior.
January 24, 2016 @ 9:53 am
I really dont understand how people think this is a ‘bad idea’ or how Stapleton sings to a ‘different crowd’. He covered Coe and Daniels on his record which shows the crowd he is ‘speaking to’. If the limp wrist NPR crowd picked up on him that is fine. But to pretend he is somehow ‘one of them’ (the NPR crowd) is absurd. Must be the egocentricism of said crowd to make such claims…
January 24, 2016 @ 10:16 am
…and for the record I am not one of those who worship Stapleton. I was excited for Traveller but it was a major letdown. Sounded like 90s soft rock Lilith fair kind of stuff (explains the NPR love) that wouldve been better of sung by a woman with the Charlie cover being the highlight. However I have yet to write him off completely and this tour with Jr may help him to ‘get some drive’ in his Country.
January 24, 2016 @ 10:19 am
I don’t think the issue is how niche Stapleton’s crowd is, it’s now niche Hank Jr.’s crowd has become. And it’s not just about NPR folks. I just said that as an example. There’s definitely worse concert pairings. Stapleton could have been paired with Thomas Rhett, and then all the folks who say Stapleton is a phony would have had their ultimate evidence. But there’s still more degrees of separate between Stapleton and Hank Jr. than what you normally see in a concert pairing.
January 24, 2016 @ 10:50 am
I just dont see it. A man who has/had a #1 record with a Coe and Daniels song on it with the Coe song being performed live for millions of people and then touring with Hank Jr does not in any way seem like an odd combination. If anything this should be wholeheartedly welcomed. Who is another big legendary act that wouldve been better? Considering Hank Jr’s status and his constant willingness to give time to (even on his records and regardless of any opinions) newer acts this is a no brainer. There is no other up and comer at this level that would fit the bill with Hank Jr besides Stapleton. I would say Jamey Johnson but he is already performed with Jr and isnt active.
This is a welcomed pairing and could not be a better pairing for Stapleton. Hank Jr is an institution and look what his fans did for him in his heyday and still do. I am just amazed at the shock or negative feelings with this pairing. Who cares about “niches”. This seperation, categorization and classification is what fucked country up to begin with it is no wonder country legends hate the term ‘outlaw’ country because what they were doing was COUNTRY music without any qualifications of adjectives. Hank Jr and Stapleton are country artists and if there was ever a suitable legend/upstart pairing in 2016 this is it. Hank Jr fans should be excited to not have to sit through a complete garbage opener and Stapleton fans should show some respect and graciousness (of which I have no doubt Stapleton feels) to be on tour with an absolute Icon (as Hank would say himself!)
January 24, 2016 @ 10:52 am
Also I question the judgement of anyone who considers Stapleton, based on ONE hit record, to in any possible way be above or should turn down an opening slot on a Hank Jr tour. It is and should be a welcomed decision from all camps.
January 24, 2016 @ 11:33 am
Blockman,
I totally understand your points. Putting it in perspective about the covers on Stapleton’s album is a good way to look at it. This pairing may be your dream come true, and trust me, you’re not alone. When I posted this article, it went viral from the excitement for it. I’m excited about seeing this pairing, and they’re playing mere minutes from the Saving Country Music headquarters so I might be there myself to take it all in.
What we’re engaging in here is just musical nerdism about why the pairing might not be ideal. But I think the vast majority of people are happy. One point I’d like to make though is Stapleton doesn’t need Hank Jr., Hank Jr. needs Stapleton. Chris is going to sell 10,000 more copies of his album than Hank Jr. will on his big debut week. Possibly the worst thing about this pairing is come August, it is very likely Stapleton will have outgrown being an opener for a big name like Hank Jr. If he wins the Grammy for Album of the Year, he’ll be able to sell out arena on his own right. He may be able to sell out arenas right now. I don’t think any of us appreciate just how big this thing has become, and how fast.
January 24, 2016 @ 11:42 am
Fair enough Trig. I do hear you. But to suggest Hank Jr “needs” Stapleton is straight up absurd. The pairing if anything gives credibility to Stapleton after doing a Coe duet with J.T. Stapleton has won over the “popular” crowd but with this he can begin to win over one of the most SOLID fanbases that extends far into country. To say Stapleton doesnt need this after winning over the Grammy crowd (as if thats enough or important to country) is something I cannot agree with.
January 26, 2016 @ 3:05 pm
I don’t think either one of them need each other Hank sells out his shows every year he has a built in following just like the greatful dead and jimmy buffet…. Hank jr has been filling ampetheaters longer than his dad was alive…… Stapelton probably will sweep the grammys and possibly will be able to be able to about fill one himself…. But I will wager that in a few short years people will not know who stapleton is….. Keep in mind Hank hasn’t had a top ten single in 25 years but still is a top concert draw.
January 24, 2016 @ 11:13 am
Who has seen Jr live? I guarantee anyone who has (and is a Stapleton fan) would be nothing but joyous to see Stapleton on the bill. I apologize for my bad manners on a Sunday but I think people are really getting lost in the multiplicity here…
January 24, 2016 @ 11:35 am
“I’m from the old school, I made up some new rules, you might learn a thing or two if you hang around” yessir Stapleton might
January 24, 2016 @ 4:57 pm
Don’t care for Jr anymore. Love the stuff he had in the 70’s and early 80’s,after that just seemed stale, uninspired. Saw him a couple times in the 80’s and he was a drunk belligerent asshole. Now seems he and Ted Nugent think everyone should care about every thought that comes to their mind. I would gladly pay to see Chris Stapleton but if Hank Jr was in my yard I wouldn’t walk out my door to see him.
January 27, 2016 @ 1:55 pm
I think this is a great pairing. I would love for this tour to be extended to the Carolinas. I’ve seen Hank Jr. perform 4 times. The first time he did not have an opener, the crowd was beginning to get restless and chant, but he came out and said “Give me a few minutes, and I promise you a once in a lifetime show”. Hank came out and delivered. He may or may not be banned from Littlejohn Coliseum at Clemson as a result of that show (local rumor). The other three shows he had these openers 1). Dierks Bentley 2). Lynyrd Skynyrd 3). Kid Rock. I have thoroughly enjoyed every Hank show I’ve been to. One of these days I’ll make it to a Chris Stapleton show. Don’t cry for me though, the Drive By Truckers Homecoming is in two weeks!!!!!!