As a typical teenager growing up in Todd County, I was just like everyone else, deeply enamored with country music, especially Hank Williams, Jr. My buddies and I would often cruise around, enjoying a beer while listening to Hank’s tunes on an eight-track. Those songs like “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound” and “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” put us in a great mood for fun and adventure.
Little did I know that one day, our paths would cross in an extraordinary way. In 1997, I started working for Knight and Hale game calls television show as a producer. One year I had the idea of getting a well-known entertainer on our hunting videos, believing it would boost sales in stores. Knowing that Harold Knight had a connection through a friend to call Hank, I convinced him to make that call and set up a deer hunt.
A few months later, I found myself at a cabin, getting my camera gear ready for the deer hunt the following day. I was the cameraman, and sitting across the table from me, polishing, a gun was none other than Hank Williams, Jr. I must admit, I was a bit nervous around someone I only knew through the speakers of my truck during my rowdier times. But over the next five days, as we hunted and spent time together in the cabin after dark, I had the unique opportunity to get to know Hank on a personal level, and sharing his favorite whiskey.
During those nights, we’d sit around the crackling fire, talking about hunting, guns, and life. It didn’t take me long to separate the entertainer from the human. I was in awe when he shared his story of surviving a cliff fall in Montana, the pain he endured, and the arduous journey of recovery. I had read about it, but hearing this firsthand was beyond amazing, and it made me appreciate the resilience and humanity of this music legend. Another thing that fascinated me was his friendship with Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings so I got to pick his mind about things those three have done and seen over the years.
On the fifth day, we had harvested a good deer on camera that made for an exceptional video. That night, as the fire danced and the crickets sang, Hank invited me and Knight and Hale to visit his office and home in Paris, Tennessee. We eagerly accepted the invitation, and a few weeks later, I found myself standing in awe outside his office, starstruck as I met his manager, Merle Kilgore, a legendary figure in country music. Merle’s association with Johnny Cash and his role in writing “Ring of Fire” made this encounter feel surreal, like meeting a living piece of country music history. I think Merles coolest story was him telling me about he and Elvis double dating with a couple of girls.
Entering Hank’s office, I couldn’t help but notice the eclectic decor. Alongside hunting memorabilia, there was a full life-sized poster of Van Halen on the wall, a testament to Hank’s diverse musical interests. After exploring his office we moved into a huge room filled with merchandise he sold at his concerts. Despite his insistence that I could take anything I liked, I opted for a coffee cup with his name and logo, a keepsake that I still cherish to this day.
Our exploration didn’t stop there. Hank then led us to another building, where he proudly displayed his extensive gun collection. It was like stepping into a grand exhibition of firearms from different eras. Many of the rifles dated back to the 1800s, and he took pride in showing us his father’s guns, meticulously preserved in a glass case. I couldn’t help but feel the weight of history and the connection to the Williams family legacy.
As we wandered through this treasure trove of memorabilia, I couldn’t help but notice several stacks of clothes wrapped in plastic. Curiosity got the better of me, and I asked Hank about them. With a hint of nostalgia, he revealed that they were going to different museums and that these were his father’s concert suits—the very outfits worn by Hank Williams Sr. during his performances. To be so close to these iconic pieces of music history was overwhelming, he held up a few of them for me to admire, and though I was tempted to try one on, I knew I had to respect their significance.
Later, we headed to Hank’s house, an inviting and comfortable space where he shared more stories about his life and interests. He proudly showed us a Civil War cannon in his den, recounting how he had acquired two of them and gifted one to Johnny Cash. The effort to bring the heavy cannon inside through a window with a crane, and the memory of Johnny’s reaction, painted a vivid picture of the camaraderie and bond between two musical legends.
After lunch , Hank invited us to explore his cabin and farm. We hopped into his vehicle, and he eagerly showed us around, pointing out each special spot with a glimmer in his eye. His pride in his farm and the land he cherished was infectious.
That next spring, I returned with David and Harold to film a turkey hunt with Hank. The hunt was a resounding success, and afterward, we all gathered at his cabin for a snack. For dessert he treated us to some impromptu guitar playing and singing, filling the air with the sound of country music in its purest form.
Throughout my career in the television business, I’ve had the privilege of flying on several private jets with other country stars and traveling the world. Not bad for a country boy from Todd County, who was once told by my high school principle Andrew Renick that I’d never amount to anything because I skipped school one day. My journey has taken me far, but nothing will ever compare to that extraordinary time I spent with Hank Williams, Jr., seeing the man behind the legend and forging a bond that will forever hold a special place in my heart.