RBR Question of the Day: Hank, Hank, or Hank?

Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr., Bochephus, Hank Sr., Jr., Hank III, Hank — there are a lot of names there for the First Family of Country.

This being an Alabama site and all, I will assume that none of these gentlemen require any introductions. So, today’s question is very simple:

Hank?

Hank?

Or Hank?

Aesthetically, I prefer Hank III’s bluegrass-infused honky tonk — those bleak tales of self-abuse, heartache, loneliness and other Southern Gothic themes that launched entire literary and musical genres a century ago (Why, yes, I was raised in the mountains; why do you ask?) To my ear at it least, it seems closer to his grandad’s Texas Swing. That said, it’s hard to overlook Mount Olive/Georgiana‘s own Hank Senior — the catalogue that shaped an industry for a generation or more and launched a dynasty. Gone too soon, that’s for sure.

But, if I’m on island with one discography to see me through, I’m taking Bocephus. It could be nostalgia — there were a lot of great high school memories attached to Hank Jr. It could be the rock-based elements and airtight composition that make his songs so damned catchy and memorable. It could be the fact that it’s one of the best concerts you’ll ever see — no matter your preferred genre of music. Hank Jr.‘s a showman, and when he’s on, few have done it better.

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