Hank Williams Jr.
Randall Hank Williams (born May 26, 1949), known professionally as Hank Williams Jr. or Bocephus, is an American singer-songwriter and musician. His musical style has been described as a blend of rock, blues, and country. He is the son of country musician Hank Williams and the father of musicians Holly Williams and Hank Williams III, and the grandfather of Coleman Williams. He is also the half brother of Jett Williams.
Hank Williams Jr.
Randall Hank Williams
- Bocephus
- Rockin' Randall
- Wham Bam Sam
- Luke the Drifter Jr.
- Thunderhead Hawkins
May 26, 1949
Shreveport, Louisiana, U.S.
- Singer-songwriter
- musician
- Vocals
- guitar
- banjo
- piano
- keyboards
- harmonica
- fiddle
- drums
1963–present
- MGM
- Warner Bros.
- Curb
- Bocephus
- NASH Icon
5
Williams began his career following in his famed father's footsteps, covering his father's songs and imitating his father's style. Williams' first television appearance was in a December 1963 episode of The Ed Sullivan Show, in which at age fourteen he sang several songs associated with his father. Later that year, he was a guest star on Shindig![1]
As Williams struggled to define his own voice and place within the country music genre, his style began slowly to evolve. His career was interrupted by a near-fatal fall while Williams was climbing Ajax Peak in Montana on August 8, 1975.[2][3] After an extended recovery, he rebuilt his career in the country rock scene.[4] As a multi-instrumentalist, Williams' repertoire of musical instrument skills includes guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, steel guitar, banjo, dobro, piano, keyboards, saxophone, harmonica, fiddle, and drums.[5] In 2020, Williams Jr. was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[6]
Early life[edit]
Williams was born Randall Hank Williams on May 26, 1949, in Shreveport, Louisiana. His father nicknamed him Bocephus (after Grand Ole Opry comedian Rod Brasfield's ventriloquist dummy).[7] After his father's death in 1953, he was raised by his mother, Audrey Williams.
While he was a child, a number of contemporary musicians visited his family, who influenced and taught him various music instruments and styles. Among these figures of influence were Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Fats Domino, Earl Scruggs, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis. Williams first stepped on the stage and sang his father's songs when he was eight years old.
He attended John Overton High School in Nashville, Tennessee, where he would bring his guitar to music class and play for pep rallies and performances of the choir.
Musical style[edit]
As a multi-instrumentalist, Williams' repertoire of skills includes guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, steel guitar, banjo, Resonator guitar, piano, keyboards, saxophone, harmonica, fiddle, and drums.[5] Williams began his recording career performing covers of his father's songs. Despite catering to the country music market, Williams preferred to listen to rhythm and blues.[15] Williams also recorded singles under the name Luke the Drifter Jr.[16] (a reference to his father's alias "Luke the Drifter"), rock and roll singles under the aliases Rockin' Randall[17] and Bocephus[16] (a nickname given to him by his father), and blues under the name Thunderhead Hawkins.[15] Williams' music has been categorized as country rock,[4] blues rock,[18] southern rock,[19] outlaw country,[20] rockabilly[18] and rock and roll.[18]
Legacy[edit]
Artists who have cited Hank Williams Jr. as an influence include Delta Generators,[21] Walker Hayes,[22] Sam Hunt,[23] Davin James,[24] Shooter Jennings,[25] Wayne Mills,[26] The Sickstring Outlaws[27] and Gretchen Wilson.[28]
On April 10, 2006, CMT honored Williams with the Johnny Cash Visionary Award, presenting it to him at the 2006 CMT Music Awards. On November 11, 2008, Williams was honored as a BMI Icon at the 56th annual BMI Country Awards. The artists and songwriters named BMI Icons have had "a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers".[29]
In 2015, Williams was inducted into the Louisiana Music Hall of Fame. On August 12, 2020, Williams was selected to be inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame.[6]
Personal life[edit]
His daughter Katherine Williams-Dunning, the only one of his five children to not pursue a music career, died in a car crash on June 13, 2020, at age 27. [30] His son Shelton performs as Hank Williams III; his other children include Holly Williams[31] is also musicians, as is his grandson Coleman Williams (Hank III's son), who performs under the sobriquet "IV."[32] His wife Mary Jane Thomas died on March 22, 2022, aged 58, after complications from a liposuction.[33][34]