Awkward…
For a while back in the early 2000s, Sara Evans was one of the biggest names in country music. With hits like “Suds In The Bucket,” “No Place That Far,” “Born To Fly,” and “A Real Fine Place To Start,” there were plenty of dudes who grew up with a crush on the country star (and that may or may not include myself).
But apparently Hank Williams Jr. didn’t know who she was – even when she was opening for him in concert.
Now it doesn’t really surprise me that Bocephus doesn’t keep up with modern music. Seems like he sticks to the classics, which is respectable. But it did apparently make for an awkward moment backstage at a show after she got offstage.
Sara recalled the experience during a recent episode of her podcast Diving In Deep when she was joined by Hank’s son, Sam Williams:
“I opened for him, and I’d just came offstage, went to his bus and I was starstruck, this was about 18 years ago. And we talked and he said, ‘How’s your mom?’
I was like, ‘How’s my mom? You don’t know my mom.’ My mom is from Missouri. So I just couldn’t figure it out. And he goes, ‘Yeah, how’s your mom?’ And I was like, ‘Oh, she’s fine, thank you.’
He thought for a minute. And he thought that I was Ashley Judd. I was like, I literally just came off stage opening for you. But I gave him so much shit. He thought it was hilarious.
Because Ashley Judd and I used to look alike when we were younger, and so he thought that I was Ashley, so he was asking about Naomi.”
I mean honestly, I can kinda see the resemblance.
Sara said that her daughter Olivia was a baby at the time, and she was born in 2003, so this likely happened sometime between 2003-2005 when Sara had already had several hits, including #1 songs with “Born To Fly” and “No Place That Far.” She was basically at the top of her game at that point, and when “Suds In the Bucket” came out in 2004 she was pretty much at the top of country music.
But if you don’t listen to any new or mainstream country music, I guess you have no idea who these newcomers are…even when they’re your opening act.
Hank Jr. is still out on the road playing shows, and while he’s a very young 75 years old, many of his country counterparts and peers are mostly retired, aside from a few shows here and there, and don’t bring half of the energy and charisma on stage anymore as Bocephus.
So if you see him dropping it low and popping back up like it’s nothing, you really should be surprised…
A video on TikTok of Hank Jr. performing recently has gone super viral, because while he’s performing his hit “Weatherman,” he drops all the way to the ground, mimes revving a motorcycle engine, then pops back up like it’s nothing and keeps singing.
All the while, he holds the notes and keeps singing like it’s nothing. I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone even close to his age execute this so flawlessly:
@tinabelle17x2 CAUSE HE CAN 🌞🌩🌀☔️🌪 #hankwilliamsjr #weatherman ♬ Weatherman Hank Williams Jr – 🧚👢fairies_wear_boots17👢🧚
Fans in the comments were of course impressed with the ease in which he pulled out this dance move, like it was nothing, with others noting that he’s done it for a while now at multiple tour stops:
“Showing off his knee replacement surgery.”
“I’m just impressed that he can drop it and get back up.”
‘Jr is a living legend. Made his own name for himself instead of riding on his dad’s name. also fell off a f***ing mountain and lived to tell about.”
“Band can’t even hang with him.”
“I’m impressed… He’s got almost 20 years on me and there’s no way I could do that!”
“Got them new knees working, I’m jelly.”
“I am 64 and can’t do that! Go Hank Jr!”
“Damn right, BECAUSE HE CAN.”
“Like he’s ridin’ an old chopper Harley Davidson twistin’ that throttle.”
“My knees cracked watching this.”
“My 35 year old knees could never.”
“The fact that he can do this is a HUGE flex at his age. Hip mobility and back strength go quick as we age. This shows incredible muscle strength and great health actually.”
“My husband and I seen him in concert last year and when he did that we just looked at each other like of course Bocephus be dropping it low.”
“Damn Hank, I’m 28 and my knees can’t even… go on with yo bad self.”
“I’m 39 and can’t do this!”
“Saw him last year and he did it too! So impressive!”
“He did this when I saw him last summer I was shocked!”
“Damn, he’s got some good knees lol.”
“He musta had knee surgeries.”
Hey, if it keeps you young, why not? I’m here for it.
