Alan Jackson Welcomes Hank Williams Jr. to the Country Music Hall of Fame with Special Performance

Alan Jackson paid tribute to Hank Williams Jr. on Sunday (Nov. 21) during a star-studded Medallion Ceremony, which celebrated the…

Lauren Jo Black

| Posted on

November 22, 2021

6:11 pm

Alan Jackson; Photo by Terry Wyatt/ Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Alan Jackson paid tribute to Hank Williams Jr. on Sunday (Nov. 21) during a star-studded Medallion Ceremony, which celebrated the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.

The country superstar and “Where Have You Gone” singer honored the country icon with a cover of “The Blues Man,” a track from Williams Jr.’s album, Habits Old and New. Jackson later released a cover of the song on his October 1999 album, Under The Influence.

Hank Williams Jr.; Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

Joined by a full backing band, Jackson, wearing his signature cowboy hat, took center stage as he performed the popular tune while playing acoustic guitar. The country icon sang the song as Williams Jr. watched from the front of the audience in CMA Theater.

@countrynow.com @officialalanjackson honored @Hank Williams JR with a cover of “The Blues Man.” #AlanJackson #HankWilliamsJr ♬ original sound – CountryNow.com

In addition to Jackson’s tribute, country superstar Eric Church also honored the country legend with a performance of “A Country Boy Can Survive.”

Hank Williams Jr. became the 142nd member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He was inducted alongside Dean Dillon and Marty Stuart, who became the 140th and 141st members of the coveted institution.

The legendary artists and songwriters received country music’s highest honor during a star-studded Medallion Ceremony held inside the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s CMA Theater.

Special guest artists, including Eric Church, George Strait, Emmylou Harris, Charlie Worsham, Ashley McBryde, Kenny Chesney, Brittney Spencer, Alan Jackson, Shooter Jennings, Brenda Lee and Pastor Evelyn Hubbard and Connie Smith, appeared to share heartfelt tributes to the newly minted Country Music Hall of Famers. The tributes were a surprise to both the audience and inductees.

Country Music Hall of Fame member Connie Smith closed out the ceremony with a performance of “Will the Circle Be Unbroken.”

The class of 2021 Country Music Hall of Fame members-elect Eddie Bayers, Ray Charles, Pete Drake and the Judds will be inducted next year.

Written by

Lauren Jo Black

Lauren Jo Black, a University of Central Florida graduate, has immersed herself in the world of country music for over 15 years. In 2008, she co-founded CountryMusicIsLove, eventually selling it to a major record label in 2015. Following the rebranding of the website to Sounds Like Nashville, Black served as Editor-in-Chief for two and a half years. Currently, she assumes the role of Editor-in-Chief at Country Now and oversees Country Now’s content and digital footprint. Her extensive experience also encompasses her previous role as a Country Music Expert Writer for Answers.com and her work being featured on Forbes.com. She’s been spotlighted among Country Aircheck’s Women of Influence and received the 2012 Rising Star Award from the University of Central Florida. Black also spent time in front of the camera as host of Country Now Live, which brought live music directly to fans in 2021 when the majority of concerts were halted due to the pandemic. During this time, she hosted 24 weeks of live concerts via Country Now Live on Twitch with special guests such as Lady A, Dierks Bentley, Jordan Davis, Brett Young, and Jon Pardi. Over the course of her career, she has had the privilege of conducting interviews with some of the industry’s most prominent stars, including Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Lainey Wilson, and many others. Lauren Jo Black is a longtime member of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music.