I met Shelton Hank Williams “III” last year after watching a two to three hour show that left me feeling like I had just been kicked in the teeth! He plays three different sets; a country set featuring his country hits and covers then shifting gears in to what he calls a “Hellbilly” set which gets progressively harder and faster and finally hitting the nitrous…his “Assjack” set of metal and punk. III had just finished playing the show and jumped down off of the stage to talk with his fans and took time with each and every one of them. That’s something that you rarely see anymore in music.

Although he doesn’t act like it, his bloodline is of country music royalty with Hank Williams Jr. his father and bearing an uncanny resemblance to his grandfather Hank Williams.

III and I finally got together to talk about what it’s like to be a “Crazed Country Rebel”…the subculture of his fans and all the goings on in his life. 

The Entertainment Nexus- What’s up Big Daddy?

Hank III- I figured you didn’t wanna do this cause it’s taken so long to get together.

TEN- You know me… 

Hank III- Alright man…I’m all ready.

TEN- Good deal! What have you been doing since the last time we talked?

Hank III- Basically I’ve been working on the new record and tryin’ to get it out by December…if I’m lucky. It’s called; “Damn Right and Rebel Proud.” We’ve been doin the same old same old, just beatin’ down the road with tourin’ and tryin’ to get this side band I’ve been workin’ on with Phil Anselmo called “Arson Anthem.” We’re tryin’ to hook up and record again and tryin’ to get the cd out in December. We’re just tryin’ to keep the crew together and keep it rollin’ man.  On our last tour we actually got to do a couple of shows with David Allan Coe which were awesome for us. We got to hang out and catch up and once again…hear a bunch of awesome stories.

TEN- Your last release “Straight to Hell” was the first major country release with a “Parental Advisory” label on it. How does that make you feel?

Hank III- Well, I had to fight in a courtroom for a long time. Hey…I’m just bein’ myself man. Shit, fuck and goddamn are part of my daily talkin’ ya know…

Bein’ from the Bible Belt and all that, we had to go through some channels but it’s not like we’re cussin’ in every single song or just cussin’ to cuss. It’s just what we are and now I’m in a position where hopefully most of my records will have a Parental Advisory on it…cause that’s kinda reality to us. That’s the real world. It goes back to “everything’s not perfect” or “everything’s not full on clean” and all that stuff. That’s just us bein’ us. For Curb Records that was a bit of a change for them. They’re slowly accepting who I am. That came a long way and like I said; it took a couple of years in a courtroom to make it happen…but we did. Like I said before, I’m tryin’ to call the next record “Damn Right and Rebel Proud.” It’s got some hell raisin’ kinds of songs like; “Punch, Fight, Fuck” and stuff like that. I’m stickin’ true to my roots, man.

TEN- You sing a lot about drug and alcohol indulgence. How much of that is truly autobiographical?

Hank III- A lot of it. It’s in the bloodline…it goes back. But, even with Hank Williams or myself…we’re not wasted all the time. We’re doin’ a lot of stuff on our own and if I were wasted all the time…I wouldn’t be doin’ a two and a half hour show every night that I play. I just think addiction is somethin’ that most people have a battle with. Some people make it through and some people know how to respect it a little more. A lot of folks can identify with that. I’ve definitely been down that road and still on that road. It’s something I deal with every day.

TEN- You’re a “Crazed Country Rebel”… 

Hank III- YES! A full on! It’s just where it is. One day it might change but right now…it’s just part of life. 

TEN- You also sing about how the Country music business has changed over the years. How has it changed? 

Hank III- Well, I think the camaraderie isn’t there like it used to be. There used to be a lot more people working with each other and tourin’ together or fightin’ for each other. In general, America has become such a “cutthroat place” everybody’s gotta worry about “dickin’ everyone else off”…ya know? The friendship or the reality of bein’ trustworthy to somebody has just gone away over the years. Country music is definitely catering to radio. It’s a whole game. They don’t want people for good songs or bein’ themselves. They’re just tryin’ to play that game. That’s somethin’ that we’ve been goin’ against. People like Dale Watson, Wayne “The Train” Hancock or any of those folks. David Allan Coe is a prime example. He’s been there and had all of his stuff taken from him and he still writes number one songs that are more country than anything country right now! The lawyers have out-smarted the musicians and taken over the business. And that changed a lot of it…it definitely shows nowadays on Music Row.

TEN- Speaking of Coe, how did you become involved with the “Rebel Meets Rebel” project?

Hank III- I don’t know if it was David or Dimebag but from what I remember from that night, I’m lookin’ at a picture from that night right now, David and Dimebag came to the show and came on stage and sang a song with us and after the show they were like; “Hey man, you wanna go be part of this, we’re only an hour down the street?”  They basically asked me and that’s how it happened. It was a night I’ll never forget. It was a damn good time…man.

TEN- What’s your fondest memory of Dime?

Hank III- I just say, bein’ on stage and he was always a prankster and liked to have a good time and pull little jokes on people. He was just a “Full On Hell Raiser.” My fondest memory of him is just him havin’ a big ‘ol smile on his face and rockin’ out as hard as he could. When I think of Dimebag…that’s what I remember. I was always on a good side with him and never had any anger from him or anything like that.

TEN- Would you be interested in doing another project with David? 

Hank III- I mean for life…man! It doesn’t matter if he calls me up tomorrow or in four or five years from now. I look at David Allan Coe like family and I’m always there fightin’ for him. It’s not like I have to…it’s just in general…everyday. I can understand and relate to that. He’s a hero so it’s an honor to be able to be talkin’ or sharin’ the stage or writing a song with someone like that. He breaks down barriers man. His music touches all kinds of people. That’s awesome that he has people that wanna be involved with him and take it to the next level. He’s done his job and way, way more over the years.

TEN- And he’s only gotten half of the credit he deserves.

Hank III- I know…man. If people ever get to talk to him, he’ll tell you that he knows and he’s thankful that he’s playin’ music. Cause in the end…that’s what makes him happy.

TEN- Let’s talk about some “old hat” stuff.

Hank III- Okay

TEN- On your song “Not Everybody Likes Us” you kind of dig on Kid Rock a little bit. 

 Hank III- We’ll I’m not dissin’ him…I’m just letting people know.

TEN- It’s not so much of a diss; you just kinda get your point across.

Hank III- Yeah well if you were in my shoes and every show you played someone came walking up to you sayin; “Hey, is Kid Rock your brother?” No…he fuckin’ ain’t!

TEN- You gotta put that stuff in check!

Hank III- That’s what I’m sayin’! That’s the main reason I said it. I do have reasons to “dick him off” if I wanted to but that was the main reality. Hank Jr. calls him “His Rebel son” and from him sayin that people just assume that the bloodline is related. I’m just reinforcing the facts. I can respect him as an entertainer and musician and all that thing but as far as the bloodline goes…no that ain’t happenin’

TEN- I read someplace that he and Pamela Anderson wanted to come on your tour bus and you put a big veto on him. 

Hank III- Well it was kinda after the fact…ya know. I was like; “If ya wanna be my friend that’s fine but if you stick your nose in family business…that’s a whole new level. And, that’s what he was tryin’ to do and I’m like; “I ain’t got time for that.” That’s just what happened.

TEN- What about Shooter Jennings?

Hank III- That’s old hat but I gave him a chance ya know? He’s the one who decided to run with all this negative press. Ya know, I gave him a chance to be a brother or a rival and he chose to be a rival. Out of that, in my eyes…he hasn’t paid his dues. His momma works in the business and all that stuff. I’ve had to stick to my guns and in about ten years…I might give him some respect. That’s just the way it is right now. He’s slowly getting there. That was his own decision that was what brought that on.

TEN- How old were you when you decided that you wanted to play music?

Hank III- The first time that I was on stage live I was about ten years old. I was playin drums on “Family Tradition” in Atlanta Georgia with Hank Jr. I always thought I’d be a drummer. Reality crashes in and things change but I’ve always been involved in music as far back as I can remember whether it’s playin’ drums, bass or guitar in a band. I’ve been in probably fifteen bands throughout the years. It goes way back.

TEN- In your shows, you play three different sets. A country set, a middle of the road “Hellbilly” set and a “Throttle to the Firewall”… “Assjack” set. With playing such a wide variety of music…who were your influences growing up?

Hank III- Growin’ up there was all kinds from Black Flag to The Dead Kennedys to The Melvins to Slayer on the “Metal” stuff. As far as “Roots Rock” goes its Ted Nugent to ZZ Top…KISS always played a big role in my life growin’ up. As far as the “Country” goes all the standard Outlaws; Johnny Paycheck, David Allan Coe, Willie, Waylon, Hank Jr. Haggard…all those folks. I just had their records around and it kinda gave me an open mind and made me want to be a little different. I always felt the energy of the hark rock.

TEN- What was it like growing up with your father and grandfather who they were?

Hank III- I only saw Hank Jr. maybe a week or two weeks out of the year so I didn’t really grow up around him that much. I grew up around the rumors and the legacy. It was a pretty normal upbringing except some folks knew who my dad was and every time he came to town just a few more people would ask me for tickets. I always knew that Hank Williams was pretty important cause it seemed that a lot of people were really into his songs. It wasn’t nothin’ real far out. I was pretty much raised by my mom and I am thankful to have gotten kicked out of private school and put into public schools. I saw the real world. Everyone back then would say that I was just another kid. I didn’t have no attitude. I was just like them except I had a famous father.

TEN- Your attitude towards and your style of music differ from your sisters Holly and Hillary why do you think that is?

Hank III- I hear ya...ya know…they’re a little more spoiled. (Laughs) I’m not talkin’ shit but that’s reality. I grew up knowing that I always wanted to be in a band and they might have had some second guessing on that. I’m speaking more on Holly than I am on Hillary. I was always thankful to be around musicians that get that energy out. I think it was the style of music that I was raised on. It was more of a “do it yourself” mentality.

TEN- Who is the biggest hell raiser of the three; you, your father or your grandfather? 

Hank III- I would have to say Hank Williams…man. Hank Jr. did fall off of a mountain and has raised a bunch of hell but there’s still some stories about Hank Williams rolling the cars…pullin’ guns on people and stuff like that. Where America was back then was a lot different and people had more freedoms. I’d still say ‘ol Hank Williams…he’s the king of that one, man.

TEN- Speaking of him, you’re behind a movement to get him reinstated as a member of The Grand Ole Opry. How is that going?

Hank III- It’s goin’ good. I’m in the process of tryin’ to do a live show and seein’ who I can get whether it’s independent people or bigger people that wanna come and play a day or two. Right now we’ve got the petitions online and puttin’ the word out cause there is a lot of folks even around town (Nashville) that just assume that he’s a member…but he’s not. Next year’s gonna be a big year for Hank Williams. The Hall of Fame is doin a big piece on him and stuff like that. It’s gonna be a slow fight and if they don’t come around…they’re gonna hear it from the people! As far as the president of the Opry says; “He’ll never reinstate a dead guy.” I don’t know if he has the attitude towards me or if that’s just the way he wants to be. You know…using his image and likeness and havin’ an impersonator at the front door people need to pay respects where respects are due. Everyone that he pissed off is pretty much dead and in the grave by now and there’s no excuse for it. I’m just lettin’ them know…man. It seems like the right thing to do in my mind. 

TEN- It’s worth fightin’ for…that for sure. 

Hank III- Either way…I’ll still be sayin’ it.

TEN- Your friends and fans seem to be an extremely close family. Why do you think that is? 

Hank III- From what I hear on the road, they see a certain “realness” in what we do. I don’t know if it’s because we don’t have a backdrop cause…we just go out there and play. I think it’s because I try to do a show for the cheapest ticket prices I can do. Rascal Flats are out there chargin’ $65.00 a ticket and I’m out there tryin to make it $18.00-$25.00 a ticket. I think they see that “hard work mentality” comin’ from us. And we bring both styles together. There are a lot of people out there that love David Allan Coe and Pantera…that’s just the way it is! We’re tappin’ in a little bit into both worlds.

TEN- You also allow audio and video taping at your shows… 

Hank III- I’ve done that for years. I’ve always looked at it this way…”It never hurt The Grateful Dead!” If the machine’s not gonna get behind us…well the people will. It’s turned into a hobby for a lot of people ya know…tradin’ shows and documenting it by filmin.’ That’s made a huge difference over the years.

TEN- Do people send you copies of the shows?

Hank III- I try to get as many as I can. One day if I ever get a DVD out, I wanna use each song from a different show that’s recorded by our fans.

TEN- Do you know where I can get a copy of the Little Brother’s show from last year?

Hank III- Did you try my website?

TEN- Yeah but nobody will come off of one… 

Hank III- I’ll try to keep an ear out for it. I’ve got so many it’s hard to keep up but I’ll see what I can do.

TEN- I’d appreciate it! 

TEN- Here in Ohio, there’s a ban on smoking in public places. In one of the pictures that I took of you last year…you actually have it in your MySpace pics…there’s this “Smokey haze” coming off of you. Can you talk about that? 

Hank III- Well... (long pause) You took that picture? 

TEN- Yeah…I sent it to you and you put it in your Myspace pics. 

Hank III- Okay… The people that I’ve had look at it some people say that it’s like my “protector” or the “Indian Warrior” that is with me out there that’s tryin to protect me on the shows. If you look at that or if you look at the “Dimebag situation” it could be a little bit of both. I don’t know where it’s comin from but it’s definitely one of the more “unique shots”…like you were sayin.’

TEN- I’ve seen several other shots with that same “Smokey aura” It’s kinda wild…man! 

Hank III- I hear ya! That’s the best thing that I can say. To me, it seems like a “Protector” its part of the energy out there.

TEN- If you could only listen to one cd for the rest of your life…what would it be? 

Hank III- Oh man…uh…boy I don’t know that’s a pretty hard one. That’s one that I haven’t been able to answer because there’s such a wide variety. I’m just not sure on that. I guess I’d have to listen to silence if I could only pick one.

TEN- I read somewhere that you were a member of the Church of Satan. Can you talk about that?

Hank III- I’ve promoted Satanism but myself or Stanton LeVey (grandson of founder Anton LeVey) are not members of the Church of Satan. Actually they are against what we do. Where I’m from…the Bible Belt, it’s always been “Jesus verses the Devil” and stuff like that. It’s just my way of “goin against the grain.” Not every country singer sings about the “dark side” or whatever. It just makes us a little more different. I’ve always thought that “my granddad sang about the light and I’ve always thought that I was supposed to sing about the dark.”  

TEN- Did you ever meet Anton LeVey?

Hank III- I never did get to meet him…no. I went to Stantons’ store and that’s the closest that I’ve been to the family....

TEN- Tell me something disturbing about yourself that you’ve never told anyone before.  

Hank III- I don’t know man…there’s all kinds of stuff. I’ve probably tapped on it before. I was fucked with when I was young. Basically being sexually molested and stuff like that. I never dealt with it. I never told anybody and just kinda kept it to myself. Over the years it’s come out in the music or the “Hard workin’ mentality” I guess. It’s somethin’ that’s gotten a little more easier to deal with. It’s weird how it’s in the bloodline. As far as anything else, I’ve played live where people have passed away in front of us before. That’s pretty intense.

 TEN- Is there anything else that you wanna say bro?

Hanks III- Just look for us online for the tour dates and please just spread the word about the petition. Please sign it.

 For more information on Hank III visit the Artists Link.