The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is in full swing.
Each year, thousands of motorcyclists flock to Sturgis, South Dakota, for over a week of good music, bikes, and camaraderie. While the bikes are the main attraction of the rally, the music is also a massive draw for country and rock fans.
From homegrown bands to national gems, Sturgis features some of the best rock and country music artists. Some of this year’s showcase includes ZZ Top, Jason Aldean, Nickelback, Five Finger Death Punch, Hank Williams Jr., and more. On Sunday, August 3rd, Hank Williams Jr. hit the stage at the Full Throttle Saloon, bringing his outlaw stylings to the music and motorcycle enthusiasts.
(Side note: Did any of y’all ever watch the Full Throttle Saloon reality-TV show back in the day? If you didn’t, it’s a 12/10 viewing experience I highly recommend.)
During Hank Jr.’s set, he surprised the crowd by bringing out a fellow country star, Travis Tritt. The two teamed up to sing the famed classic “Family Tradition,” bringing the house down with their performance.
“Got to join my friend Hank Williams Jr. for ‘Family Tradition’ at the Full Throttle Saloon! So good to see so many dear and longtime friends at the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally!”
Travis Tritt wrote in a post highlighting their duet.
The moan of the steel guitar fills the iconic biker bar before Tritt takes the lead during the final verse of the tune, flawlessly delivering the lyrics. During the final verse, the two men lead the bar in a sing-along as they call back the chorus to the stage.
“So don’t ask me
Hank, why do you drink?
Hank, why do you roll smoke?
Why must you live out the songs that you wrote?
If I’m down in a honky-tonk
And some ole slick’s trying to give me friction
I’ll say leave me alone
I’m singing all night long
It’s a family tradition…”
Before the song wraps up, Hank Williams Jr. usually does his nod to Kris Kristofferson’s “If You Don’t Like Hank Williams,” listing off outlaws like Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, and more before telling the crowd they can kiss their a** if they are not fans of them. The tradition of ending the song like that is one helluva way to close out “Family Tradition.”
For how long these two have been in the game, their voices sound just as good as when they first started. Two legends on one stage… it never gets old.
Check it out:
Check it out from another angle:
@beccavandiver Front row for Hank Jr at the Full Throttle Saloon and Travis Tritt showed up! Full Throttle Saloon is all different this year AND they need to work out A LOT of kinks. But, Hank was great and we had a blast! #sturgis ♬ original sound – GenX Realtor
