Hank Williams, III Risin' Outlaw CD

Principally recorded at Curb Studios and Woodland Studios, Nashville, Tennessee.

It's often been said that if Hank Williams himself came back to life today, he couldn't get played on mainstream country radio. With his raw, unabashedly twangy voice and simplistic arrangements, he'd be considered "too country" for a generation raised on Garth and Shania. RISIN' OUTLAW, by Hank Williams' grandson, Shelton Hank Williams (or Hank III, as he bills himself), provides a pretty good test of this theory. Not only is Hank III the spitting image of his late grandaddy, he sings just like him too--and on tracks like "You're the Reason" and "On My Own," the resemblance is downright eerie.

But Hank III's also got more than a streak of his dad, Hank Jr. in him--the CD isn't called RISIN' OUTLAW for nothing. He alludes to his propensity for bad behavior in "I Don't Know," and sings openly about snorting cocaine on "Cocaine Blues." Give young Williams credit--having the nerve to bill himself as Hank III invites instant comparisons with his grandfather and his father. On the attitude-filled RISIN' OUTLAW, he manages to do both of them proud, while carving out a niche for himself as a promising alternative country artist.

Personnel: Hank Williams III (acoustic guitar); J.T. Corenflos, Brent Rowan (acoustic guitar, electric guitar); Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar); Dan Dugmore, Kayton Roberts, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Vernon Derrick (mandolin, fiddle); Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Jason Brown (upright bass); Dale Crover, Greg Morrow (drums); Curtis Young, Neil Thrasher (background vocals).

Audio Mixers: Jeff Watkins; Jim Demaire; Sandy Jenkins; Jeff Wood ; Adam Muñoz; Bob Campbell-Smith.

Recording information: Curb Studios, Nashville, TN; KD Studios, Nashville, TN; Woodland Studios, Nashville, TN.

Photographer: Jim Herrington.

Personnel: Hank Williams III (vocals, acoustic guitar); Brent Rowan, J.T. Corenflos (acoustic & electric guitars); Michael Spriggs (acoustic guitar); Dan Dugmore, Kayton Roberts, Paul Franklin (steel guitar); Vernon Derrick (mandolin, fiddle); Rob Hajacos (fiddle); Jason Brown (acoustic bass); Greg Morrow, Dale Crover (drums); Curtis Young, Neil Thrasher (background vocals).

Producers: Chuck Howard, Bob Campbell-Smith.

Rolling Stone (9/30/99, p.87) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...a collection of tough honky-tonk numbers with vintage nuthin'-to-lose themes...sung in mournful coyote yodels and desperate-mean drawls....Hank III provides the white-trash kick in the ass that's been sorely missing..."
Entertainment Weekly (10/8/99, p.73) - "...This is as goose-bumpy good as [Hank Williams] Senior coming back from the grave." - Rating: B+
Mojo (Publisher) (4/00, p.110) - "...A real country set which serves to kick Mr. Brooks while he's off playing with his alter ego....He delivers some moments of quite startling power and beauty..."