Tune In, Turn On
By Doug Deutsch
There’s no denying the big resurgence country music has been experiencing, and one Hank Williams Jr. has, in his own way, as much to do with it as anyone else.
The longtime country/rock musician is cappearing at Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena, at Hard Rock Casino & Hotel this Friday, July 26.
He has sold more than 70 million albums in a career spanning all the way back to 1964, and continues to remain relevant by releasing new music, such as his 2022 album, “Rich White Honky Blues,” where Williams collaborated with renowned producer, Dan Auerbach, on a live, 12-song set of tracks by famed bluesmen like Robert Johnson, Lightnin’ Hopkins, R.L. Burnside, Muddy Waters and others.
In Williams’ long, storied and colorful career, (which includes CMA Entertainer of the Year and Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame honors), he’s perhaps known as the musician that greeted “Monday Night Football” viewers at the beginning of games each week with a rousing adaption of “All My Rowdy Friends Are Here On Monday Night,” itself a slight adaptation of Williams’ own chart-topping tune, “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.”
The honor of performing the MNF opening song has since passed from Faith Evans and Carrie Underwood, to it’s present-day placeholders of Chris Stapleton, Snoop Dog and Cindy Blackman Santana, whose pre-game take on Phil Collins’ “In The Air Tonight” is awful.
Williams is still going strong at age 75, and puts on a great live show. For extra measure, let’s hope there’s a special appearance that night by Shelton Hank Williams, aka Hank Williams III, who’s carved out quite a nice career for himself as well, with 11 studio albums (five on influential Curb Records) and whose musical style ranges from country music to punk rock and heavy metal (III was once the drummer for Arson Anthem, and past bassist for Superjoint Ritual).
If you come to Hard Rock Live this Friday to see Hank Williams Jr, be prepared to dance, it’s a fun, rowdy music ride. (8 p.m.)
Tickets: www.casino.hardrock.com/atlantic-city ).
John Hathaway, Grey Riders Coming to Lizzie Rose: This ensemble covers a clever mix of Neil Young, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Cash, and Allman Brothers, i.e. outlaw country and Southern rock, to crowd-pleasing results, along with some choice originals.
They’ll make their Lizzie Rose Music Room debut Friday, July 26 at 8 p.m. If you haven’t been to Lizzie, it’s a small-but-mighty sit-down venue off Route 9 in Tuckerton with intimate seating for about 60, presenting quality, nationally-known acts in the roots/blues/Americana genre in addition to top tributes such as the very talented Floyd Pink we saw there last weekend.
Some shows of note in August at Lizzie Rose: Texas blues guitarist Sue Foley (Aug. 21); Soul Project NOLA (Aug. 22); the blues-rockin Skyla Burrell Band (Aug. 24); and the Janis Joplin Experience starring Lisa Polizzi (Aug. 30)
You can BYOB there and parking for free. Check out www.lizzierosemusic.com for more.
Where We’ll Be Wednesday: On the Atlantic City Boardwalk, like always, enjoying a twilight show by Jeff Bradshaw and his Philly Funk R&B Band, perennial favorites at Kennedy Plaza shows across from Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall, plus openers Sly and The Family Stone tribute, “Every Day People.” See Tonymart.com for more on these fine free weekly shows.
Until next time, Tune In, Turn On, and support local.
Doug is the owner/operator of Doug Deutsch Publicity Services, which since 1995 has been servicing nationally touring acts, and working record release campaigns for clients. Doug also hàs experience writing for the one time shore-based weekly publication, Whoot! He also was a team member with Chip Braymes Advertising. Doug loves bicycling and aspires to bring the Blues to Atlantic City. He can be reached at ShoreLocalDoug@gmail.com and www.facebook.com/dougdeutschpublicity
