Hank Williams Jr. is an American country singer-songwriter and musician who has been actively performing and recording music for over 50 years. He is the son of country music legend Hank Williams and became famous in his own right with hits like “Family Tradition” and “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.” At 73 years old, Hank Jr. is still touring and attracting large crowds of loyal fans.
Is Hank Williams Jr. currently touring?
Yes, Hank Williams Jr. is currently touring in 2023. He has an extensive tour scheduled from January through December playing shows across the United States and Canada. Some of the stops on the tour include shows in Las Vegas, Nashville, Dallas, Chicago, Detroit, Toronto, and more. Williams has been steadily touring for the last several years and continues to draw big crowds of enthusiastic fans.
Who is opening for Hank Williams Jr.?
There are a few different opening acts joining Hank Williams Jr. on tour in 2023. The main opening acts are:
- Chancey Williams – An up-and-coming country singer from Wyoming.
- Lauren Alaina – Former American Idol contestant and country singer.
- Darryl Worley – Country singer known for hits like “Have You Forgotten.”
These musicians are getting the opportunity to play their songs in front of big crowds and gain new fans by opening for an icon like Hank Williams Jr. The opening acts typically play around 30 minute sets before Hank Williams Jr. comes out to perform.
What kind of band and musicians back up Hank Williams Jr.?
Hank Williams Jr. has an excellent backing band that has been with him for years, known as the Bama Band. The Bama Band consists of:
- Lead Guitarist – Mike Archer
- Bass Guitarist – Gary Fox
- Drummer – Steve Latanation
- Keyboardist – Mitch McMitchen
- Pedal Steel Guitarist – Mike Leech
This talented group of musicians helps bring Hank’s songs to life with their tight, honed-in playing. They expertly play both Hank Jr.’s classic hits as well as his newest country rock songs. The band provides excellent musical support and energy during Hank’s marathon live shows.
What is a typical Hank Williams Jr. concert setlist?
Since Hank Williams Jr. has so many hit songs and albums spanning decades, he has a lot of material choose from when putting together his concert setlists. While he mixes it up from night to night, a typical concert setlist will include classics like:
- “Family Tradition”
- “A Country Boy Can Survive”
- “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight”
- “Texas Women”
- “My Name is Bocephus”
- “I’m One of You”
He will play his biggest hits but also make sure to include favorites from his latest album as well as songs that were hits in the 1980s, 1990s and other decades. Fans are guaranteed to hear their Hank Jr. favorites.
How long are Hank Williams Jr.’s concerts?
Hank Williams Jr. puts on an incredible high-energy show, so fans can expect to be thoroughly entertained from start to finish. His concerts typically run about 2 hours long with a 20 minute intermission halfway through the show. That gives fans the chance to grab a drink and re-energize for more Hank music.
The two hour concert will fly by as Hank Jr. rocks the stage with both his rowdy uptempo songs as well as some heartfelt ballads. He has the stamina to give a stellar lengthy performance well into his 70s.
What are Hank Williams Jr. concerts like? What can fans expect?
Hank Williams Jr’s. concerts are high energy affairs that mix the best of a rowdy honky tonk show and an arena rock concert. Fans can expect:
- High Volume and Energy – Hank Jr. cranks up the volume and brings non-stop energy, getting fans off their feet and shouting along.
- Smoke and Lights – There are dazzling light shows and smoke effects that enhance the rock-concert feel.
- Hits and Fan Favorites – Hank belts out his chart-topping hits but also makes sure to satisfy fans by playing album cuts and deeper cuts.
- Shared Memories – Hank Jr. shares memories and stories about his legendary father and his own career between songs.
- Patriotic Moments – America, family, and standing up for your beliefs are common themes. The crowds often wave flags and sing along to patriotic anthems.
The mix of great music and an entertaining show makes for an unforgettable concert experience for country fans of all ages.
How can I get tickets to see Hank Williams Jr. on tour?
There are a few ways to get tickets to see Hank Williams Jr. on his current tour:
- Check Hank’s official website – There is a tour page that lists all upcoming shows and links to buy tickets.
- Go through the box office at the venue – Many venues sell tickets directly through their box office.
- Use a ticket resale site – Sites like VividSeats or StubHub are authorized resellers where fans can buy and sell spare tickets.
- Sign up for pre-sale tickets – Hank Jr. will sometimes offer pre-sale ticket access for fans on his email mailing list.
The most popular shows on the tour are likely to sell out quickly, so it’s advisable to purchase tickets early through one of the above methods. Act fast to secure seats for what’s sure to be an awesome Hank Williams Jr. concert!
How much do Hank Williams Jr. tickets cost?
Ticket prices to see Hank Williams Jr. on tour can vary depending on the city and the specific seating section:
- Nosebleed/Upper Level Seats: $40 – $70
- Middle Level Seating: $75 – $125
- Lower Level/Floor Seating: $125 – $250
- Front Row or VIP: $300+
Bigger markets like New York, Las Vegas, or Los Angeles will be on the more expensive end while smaller towns may have cheaper tickets. Prices also fluctuate depending on demand. The most in-demand shows are likely to be the highest priced.
There are sometimes ticket discounts available through tour promotions or Hank’s fan club to help save money. Overall, seeing Hank live is a good value compared to other major concert tours.
How is Hank Williams Jr. still performing so well at age 73?
It’s incredible that Hank Williams Jr. still has the energy and stamina for long tours and high-energy two hour concerts at the age of 73. Fans are amazed that his voice still sounds great and that he can command the stage with such passion decades into his career. There are a few factors that help explain how Hank Jr. does it:
- He has good genes from his father and has taken care of his health over the years.
- He stays active with sports and outdoor activities which keeps his energy up.
- His voice has held up well because he’s avoided straining it and retained his smooth baritone.
- He has a loyal fanbase that motivates him to keep putting on excellent shows.
- His love of music and performing keeps him excited to hit the stage.
Hank Williams Jr. seems ageless based on his still-youthful concerts. He’s been able to maintain his vitality and continue doing long tours well into his 70s through his passion for entertaining fans.
What are critics saying about Hank Williams Jr.’s current tour?
Music critics have been largely impressed with Hank Williams Jr.’s shows over the past couple years. They acknowledge that his voice may have lost a little range, but he makes up for it with unmatched passion and showmanship. Some recent reviews say things like:
- “Hank Williams Jr. venerates the family name with raw, crowd-pleasing country rock. His voice still has plenty of outlaw twang and grit.” – Rolling Stone
- “At 73, Hank Williams Jr. remains an electrifying stage presence who connects on a primal level… he poured his heart into every note.” – Billboard
- “Hank Jr. might not hit the highest notes like he used to, but his catalog of hits stands the test of time. Crowds were on their feet reliving his heyday.” – Dallas Morning News
While reviewers admit age is catching up, they acknowledge Hank Jr. can still deliver fiery concerts fans love. The classic hits and reliable showmanship outweigh any limitations with age.
How has Hank Williams Jr.’s touring changed over the decades?
Hank Williams Jr. has evolved as a live performer over his 50+ year touring career. Here are some of the major changes:
- He started out playing more intimate honky tonks in the 1960s before graduating to larger theaters and eventually arenas.
- His backing band grew from small country groups to bigger rock-influenced bands.
- The show’s production values increased dramatically, from simple lighting to big LED screens and pyrotechnics.
- He used to routinely play 3+ hour shows but now keeps them closer to 2 hours.
- His setlists have shifted from featuring only his own hits to also including covers/tributes to artists like his father, Waylon Jennings, and Merle Haggard.
- He interacts more with his fans from the stage during shows compared to earlier in his career.
The evolution reflects Hank Jr.’s growth from regional country singer to global superstar. While the scale has changed, he still maintains his authenticity and relates to fans.
How has Hank Williams Jr. influenced other country artists?
Over his long career, Hank Williams Jr. has influenced many other artists with his sound and style:
- He pioneered the outlaw country movement and artists like Willie Nelson and Waylon Jennings followed his lead.
- He incorporated Southern rock into country, which paved the way for Charlie Daniels, Lynyrd Skynyrd and others.
- His bluesy vocals and twangy diction has been emulated by Brad Paisley, Brantley Gilbert and Chris Stapleton.
- Artists like Eric Church, Kid Rock, and Big & Rich embrace Hank Jr.’s rebellious spirit and patriotic themes.
- He proved country artists can crossover to rock/pop audiences, a tradition artists like Taylor Swift still follow today.
Hank Williams Jr. broke the mold and expanded the boundaries of country music over his long career. Modern artists continue building upon the creative foundation he laid down years ago.
Why has Hank Williams Jr. continued touring and recording so long?
Hank Williams Jr. has kept up a busy touring and recording schedule for over 50 years for several understandable reasons:
- He has an abundance of energy and passion for playing music live.
- He loves entertaining fans and feeding off their energetic reactions.
- It provides a source of stability and purpose, since he’s been performing since childhood.
- He has immense loyalty to his band and crew and wants to keep them employed. He still has more stories to tell and new musical boundaries to push.
- It allows him to honor his legacy and remain connected to his father’s tradition.
Simply put, Hank Williams Jr. lives to create great country music and perform it for adoring audiences. Retirement does not seem to be in the cards anytime soon.
Conclusion
Hank Williams Jr. remains a legendary figure in country music and a powerhouse entertainer decades into his career. Despite his age, he continues to tour extensively and put on highly-energetic marathon concerts showcasing his signature outlaw country sound. He’s still relevant to today’s country audiences thanks to the timeless appeal of hits like “Family Tradition” as well as his rowdy and rebellious performance style. For old and new fans alike, catching Hank Williams Jr. in concert is a must on the country music bucket list.