Hillbilly Royalty Returns to Lower Broadway
(This is part four in a continuing series about the revitalization of lower Broadway in downtown Nashville. Part 1 / Part 2 / Part 3)
Like JD Wiles of Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers said in part 2 of this series, the revitalization of lower Broadway started in the mid 90’s, but it was in the late 90’s when it really became “special.” Part of the reason for that was undoubtedly the presence of hillbilly royalty, from the bloodline of the man who helped build those buildings. Folks like Gary Bennett and Donnie Herron of BR549, and Joe Buck had come to Nashville to walk the same streets Hank Williams walked, and all of a sudden they had his grandson, and a spitting image, right there amongst them, fighting the fight alongside.
“Lord, honey, you’re a ghost,” is what Minnie Pearl said at first seeing Hank III, and there he was haunting lower Broadway. When the scene got started Hank III was playing in bottom-end punk bands and installing garage doors for extra cash. Then when a one night stand from 1995 unexpectedly surfaced and he was hit with a $60,000 paternity suit and a judge ordered him the “get a real job,” Hank headed down to music row and signed with Curb Records.
Curb had big plans for Hank III. Hank III had others. Curb shipped him off to Branson for a while, put together the ill-conceived The Three Hanks compilation, but meanwhile Hank III was hanging down on lower Broadway in bars like The Bluegrass Inn, and getting heavily influenced by the music happening there.
As lower Broadway began to explode in popularity, touring acts began to makes stops there to get a piece of the action. Many of these were from Austin, TX, that represented their own scene that revolved around The Continental Club on south Congress and other Austin venues. One of these acts was Wayne “The Train” Hancock. As the lower Broadway scene was the biggest concentration of neo-traditionalist bands, people like Wayne and Big Sandy fit right in, and apparently it was at a Wayne Hancock show where Hank III had an epiphany and decided THAT was the style of country music he wanted to play.
Some people think of Hank III as a screaming punk/metal fusing country headbanger, but when he first started he was a strict neo-traditionalist. He would probably prefer the term “Outlaw,” but his music was parallel with the vibe of that moment in lower Broadway. He played punk music too, but kept his genres strictly separated, pulling his hair back while playing country and only using traditional country instruments. His first album featured two cover songs by Wayne Hancock, and gave Wayne a windfall of new fans. Hank III talks down his first album Risin’ Outlaw quite a bit, but his second album Lovesick, Broke, & Driftin’ featured all Hank III originals (except the last song) and is a pinnacle album of the neo-traditionalist movement.
Here is Hank III in a Curb promotional video, shot on lower Broadway with an interview on the steps of the Ryman, and show footage from lower Broadway’s legendary Bluegrass Inn, including Wayne Hancock covers:
The older you sound, that’s the more punk you’re being.
If there was any question just how important the lower Broadway revival was, Hank III’s presence seemed to legitimize the whole thing. Just like BR549, Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers, Hillbilly Casino, a other lower Broadway bands, Hank III eventually grew out of The Bluegrass Inn, but unlike many of the others, Hank III makes a pilgrimage back in the Winter to play a string of shows. For the past two years, the grandson of Hank Williams who could sell out venues 5 times the size of the Bluegrass Inn for 4 figure guarantees, returns to his roots to play for tips, keeping at least some of the energy of what lower Broadway was in the late 90’s alive.
For the super music nerds:
Hank III’s early lead guitar player was Duane Dennison, who now plays with Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers. Joe Buck also played with Th’ Legendary Shack Shakers in 2003, and played every note on their album Cockadoodledon’t. After Joe Buck left the Shack Shakers, he toured with Hank III until 2008. Joe Buck also co-owned The Bluegrass Inn.
October 22, 2010 @ 11:49 am
The halcyon days: I’ll never forget when some stoner handed me a promotional copy of BR549 at Record & Tape Traders and my musical taste was changed forever. Then I got into Hank III with Napster. Something that could be explored a bit: the rise of Hank III mirrored very closely the rise of Napster. I know he rightly gets credit for building up a fan base with incessant touring and energetic live shows, but I suspect Napster also played a significant role. People could more easily reach outside of their comfort zone to seek out new music beyond the marketing machine. I worry this is something that we’ve lost with the death of popular file sharing and the iTunes-ization of music.
Back to the subject at hand, I had a great time visiting Nashville for an extended weekend some years ago with my now-wife. We caught a bluegrass show at the Ryman. Drank beers all afternoon on Broadway. Toured the Country Music Hall of Fame. Bought some Hatch prints. We really had a great time. I recommend the trip to my friends all the time.
Final thought, Rising Outlaw is not my favorite of III’s albums but I still think it is under appreciated. I think there are decent songs on there that I would love to hear him do live now.
October 22, 2010 @ 12:12 pm
Hank III himself gives huge credit to allowing people to tape and video his shows to his strong fan base. I’ve never heard him talk about Napster specifically, but I’d put this in that same vain of sharing music to promote an artist.
I really like Risin’ Outlaw too. The Hancock covers, You’re The Reason, If The Shoe Fits. The transition between Thunderstorms & Neon Signs and Why Don’t You Leave Me Alone is what hooked me on to his music.
October 22, 2010 @ 3:13 pm
I realy liked both of his first two albums & most of the 3 hanks album.
October 22, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
Yeah Shelton new what he was doin whEn he put that transition in there. That made a commercial release a Hank III album. The subsequent albums have rival of importance to me since anything Kurt Cobain ever mumbled.
October 22, 2010 @ 5:30 pm
I meant *no rival
October 22, 2010 @ 10:26 pm
Straight to Hell will always be known as his most groundbreaking album, but the production of this album on a major Nashville label was just as groundbreaking if you ask me. That transition, the vinyl bed on “On My Own,” the 4-track recording on “Blue Devil.” You just never had heard any of that stuff on a major label album before. As much as I liked the songs, this stuff told me that this dude was the real deal. And can’t forget the amazing yodeling too.
October 24, 2010 @ 10:52 pm
True enough. When I got it, I have fond drunken memories of the rattling punch of Devil’s Daughter coming out of a 15″ woofer in my trunk.
October 22, 2010 @ 12:56 pm
Great read. It’s neat to hear all the extra stuff III does- benifits and such. I was at a Hank III show over the weekend, and started to think- I’d like to know more about Andy Gibson. In case, your ‘to do list’ ever gets low.
October 22, 2010 @ 1:19 pm
Hope you have some time:
https://savingcountrymusic.com/q-a-with-andy-gibson
https://savingcountrymusic.com/audio-interview-with-andy-gibson
Planning one of these installments that talks about the stand up steel guitar, which is/was the signature instrument of the movement.
October 23, 2010 @ 3:07 pm
Hahaha … i’d buy it.
October 22, 2010 @ 1:18 pm
good’n man…
October 22, 2010 @ 2:47 pm
Just as I’m sketching out my Nashville 2011 plans this is a perfect article. Once Helldorado posts the Layla’s dates on the Cussin Board we get scootin. The latest I’ve heard (probably from you) is that he’s out of his con-tract as of January 1, 2011. I cannot wait to hear what will come out of him.
I agree, Risin Outlaw hit me like a ton of bricks. I still get goosebumps when he sings “I might get drunk and rob a bank”. I never heard anything like it. I didn’t grow up with country and here’s this dude my age with all the metal and punk I grew up with killin it country style. And it keeps getting better.
October 22, 2010 @ 10:26 pm
Got one eye out for those dates as well.
October 25, 2010 @ 11:46 am
I asked him about it after the show the last time I saw him play back in Sept and he told me Dec 31 he is free… hope that is true and there are no more shenanigans up Curb’s sleeves!!
November 9, 2010 @ 8:29 pm
Randy Howard coined the phrase “I might get drunk and rob a bank”. That song hes been around a lot longer than I first thought.
October 22, 2010 @ 10:19 pm
“It keeps getting better.” Well put.
October 22, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
A GOOD READ BUT COULD START PUTTING ALL THIS IN AUDIO..I LIKE TO BE READ TOO BUT I HATE READING..I’VE DONE MORE READING SINCE I GOT ON THE INTERNET IN MAY 2007 AS I DID IN 12 YRS OF SCHOOL!!!LMAO!!!
October 23, 2010 @ 9:28 am
We’re in negotiations with Time Warner to have all my articles spoken by Walter Cronkite put on 24 tapes or 12 cd’s for three easy payments of $29.99.
October 25, 2010 @ 10:40 am
James Earl Jones FTW
October 22, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
GREAT POST TRIGGERMAN!, tHANKS!!!
October 23, 2010 @ 3:13 am
Interesting stuff, thanks for this
October 23, 2010 @ 5:38 am
i’ve really enjoyed all of these ‘revitalization of lower broadway….accurate & interesting history for all who are interested…..and still making history that some of us have had the ‘privilege’ to observe…..better git yer asses downtown before you miss the opportunity, who knows how long it will last…
Triggerman have you done any reviews on Jypsi? they played before Hank III at Laylas many times and I love listening to them, bought a cd…..For a long time they played Layla’s 6 days per week, 4 hours a day, for tips. anyone have any questions about their dedication?? Jypsi is a family thing and the little gal on the fiddle can rip it up and hold your attention let me just tell ya.
I would have to say Jypsi has a small part in the ‘revitilization’ of lower broadway.because of the countless hours they played for tips at Laylas. And just because bands play for tips does not mean anyone can just walk in and work…you gotta be damn good to get one of the coveted slots at these venues.
Jypsi worked hard & hung out to get to where they are now….self promotion. On the downside i see that Kreep Urban complimented their cd and his quote is on their site. Typically I would run the other way, but I already liked Jypsi…more than likely before Urban did. However, I suppose credit could be give to Urban for
being able to recognize good music when he hears it.
http://www.myspace.com/jypsi
October 23, 2010 @ 9:30 am
I’ll have to check Jypsi out. In the ideal world I’d like to chronicle all the bands that have been a part of lower Broadway, including the older signer/songwriters that never left even when the times did get tough.
October 23, 2010 @ 3:01 pm
I really kinda like the Three Hanks. “Neath a Cold Grey Tomb of Stone and Never Again are favorites. I love the concept, because of the energy of the three crooners, not because Curb was waniting to capitalize off the Williams legacy.
October 23, 2010 @ 4:12 pm
I don’t mind Three Hanks either, although at the end of the day I’d rather listen to the Hank Sr. originals anytime. The standout track for me also is “Neath a Cold Grey Tomb of Stone”, especially since it’s only III. Great song!
October 23, 2010 @ 3:15 pm
I was making a living as a “hot country” radio DJ in the mid-late 90’s on a 100,000 watt station in Iowa. Then I heard BR549 and played them as much as possible without getting fired. Within one year I was gone from that radio station and I learned about a whole new world of good country music. Up until then, Dwight was my savior. It was like my eyes were finally opened. If it weren’t for Roberts and BR549, my soul would be sold to “the machine” of the bad part of Nashville. Lower Broadway needs to live on!!
October 23, 2010 @ 6:14 pm
What can you say that ain’t been said …Hank 3 is the REAL DEAL
October 24, 2010 @ 6:55 am
I was on a site called Alexa poking around. They have interesting stats on lots of stuff. The key search words used the most for “Curb Records”
Hank III beat out his Daddy and Tim McGraw
High Impact Search Queries for Curb.com
Query Impact
1 curb High
2 records High
3 leann rimes High
4 hank williams iii High
5 tim mcgraw High
6 hank williams Medium
7 steve holy Medium
October 24, 2010 @ 10:47 pm
That night in Layla’s in the Trashville video was fuckin awesome. I make an appearance at 2:37.
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October 25, 2010 @ 10:19 am
[…] I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: Saving Country Music is emerging as one of the best damn country music blogs I’ve ever seen. Be sure to check out the fourth installment of “Triggerman” Kyle’s series on the revitalization of Nashville’s honky tonk district (Lower Broadway), which explores Hank III’s contributions. […]
October 31, 2010 @ 7:47 am
A good buddy of mine performs at “The Wheel” on lower broad on sundays,
2:00-6:00..might be every other sunday, not sure..check him out,
his band is “Clue & The Honkeytones” and they are the real deal.