LISTEN: HARDY, Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford Tribute Hank Williams and Hank Williams Jr. In New Song, ‘To Hank’

HARDY has done it again with his star-studded ongoing project, Hixtape: Vol. 2. 

The “One Beer” singer recently released the fourth installment of his saga, “To Hank,” with the help of featured artists, Brantley Gilbert and Colt Ford. These artists are “grateful” and “excited” to have teamed up to pay tribute to country legends, Hank Williams and his son, Hank Williams Jr. 

In addition to the founder, HARDY, the creators behind this single include award-winning co-producers Joey Moi and Derek Wells and writers Ben Hayslip and Chase McGill. “To Hank” recognizes the iconic artist’s music, which has evolved into the soundtrack of the country life. Hidden in these lyrics are titles of the past, which will always be remembered through the vocals of Williams and his son. The upbeat track gives a nod to a number of legendary hits such as, “Whiskey Bent And Hell Bound,” “Outlaw Women,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry” and more.  

“Thanks for the whiskey bents and hell bounds/ And all those nights just ridin’ around/ To the soundtrack of my life/ Man, we had us some nights/ Between outlaw women and my rowdy friends/ Every song you sang, it just seemed to fit/ Like a Chevy on a river bank/ No tellin’ how many beers I drank/ To Hank, yeah,” Hardy sings in the chorus. 

After Hank Williams’ death, Williams Jr. decided to carry on in his father’s legacy in the best way he could — through music.

Hank Williams Jr.’s son, Sam Williams, is also following the footsteps of his talented father and legendary grandfather, with his own career in the industry. Earlier this year, he released his debut country album Glasshouse Children.

Hixtape: Vol. 2 features a list of 33 superstars including Ashland Craft, Ben Burgess, Brantley Gilbert, Brothers Osborne, Chase Rice, Chris Lane, Chris Shiflett, Colt Ford, David Lee Murphy, Dierks Bentley, ERNEST, Granger Smith, Jake Owen, Jake Worthington, Jimmie Allen, Jon Pardi, Josh Thompson, Justin Moore, Lainey Wilson, Larry Fleet, Lee Brice, Marty Stuart, Matt Stell, Midland, Morgan Wallen, Randy Houser, Rhett Akins, Ronnie Dunn, Scotty McCreery, Sean Stemaly, The Cadillac Three, and Travis Denning.

This what y’all have been waiting for?? pic.twitter.com/jZZLHGL7LW

— HiXTAPE (@hixtape) September 6, 2021

As opposed to the 2019 mixtape, Hixtape: Vol. 1, when HARDY sang on every track, he will only be heard on six of the songs this time around. Even though he won’t be featured on all 14 singles, they are still in the best of hands, according to HARDY, who labeled the artists in collaboration as “some of the most talented and rowdiest people in Nashville,” during the Hixtape introduction video shared earlier this month on social media.

“I know a lot of y’all have been asking when Hixtape No.2 is coming out. Look Hixtape No.1 was awesome, 10 songs, 16 of my good friends, I sang every single song,“ HARDY explained. “This time, we’re going to do it a little bit different. Get this, 33 artists and bands, 14-songs. Now, I’m only singing on 6-songs, but the rest of the songs are awesome, and it’s people singing that are some of the most talented and rowdiest people Nashville has to offer, and here’s what we’re going to do.”

Each week until Dec 10, a new single will drop, leading up to the full album release of backroad bangers.

“To Hank” follows the release of “Hometown Boys” with HARDY, Matt Stell and Dierks Bentley, “WD-40 4WD” with Sean Stemaly, Jimmie Allen and Justin Moore and “In Love With My Problems” featuring Jon Pardi.