OUR KIND OF TAKE YOUR KID TO WORK DAY :

Hellbilly Hank : Country singer wrestles with a family legacy (Greg Cahill, MetroActive)

As the son of Hank Jr. and his second wife, Gwen Yeargin Williams, Hank III grew up in Atlanta and Nashville, often not seeing his father for years at a time. Cursed with a learning disability, Hank III fared poorly in school. When his father's band passed through town, his young son would sit in on drums and was quick to learn the benefits of life as a musician. "Growing up and going to my dad's shows and seeing the excitement of all these people, the cigarette smoke and all the drinking, girls running around with their shirts off," he told MSNBC, "at 12 years old, 11 years old, that was like, 'Wow, look at that!'"

What a gyp, the Brothers got stuck with a dad who was a Baptist minister. The most trouble we could get into at his workplace was stealing the Wonder bread and grape juice we used for communion.

N.B. -- We recommend Risin' Outlaw (Hank Williams III) and Oh Lord, Stand by Me/Marching Up to Zion (Five Blind Boys of Alabama)

Posted by Orrin Judd at April 28, 2002 8:31 AM