Blame it on the Outlaws - "All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)"


Bocephus Illinois State Fair August 2015
On my 9th or 10th birthday, my uncle Ted bought me a cassette (yes a cassette) tape of Hank Williams Jr. Greatest Hits "Dixie on My Mind" "Kaw-Linga" and the like.  I knew who Hank Jr., Bocephus, Rockin' Randall was. I know it sounds like a strange gift for a girl who - although I loved grandfathers A.M. classic country stations - was listening to Faith, Martina, and Shania (it was the early 2000's).  I didn't know it then but that one record would change my musical life forever.  My first real step into outlaw world, my very first outlaw album.
Hank Jr. would go on to be the soundtrack to my favorite nights, my favorite concert. Music that would help heal the devastated heart. A man who could sing "All My Rowdy Friends", and change the lyrics to "all my rowdy friends have been called home" at the Illinois State Fair 2015 and make a grown woman and ahem -at least one grown man - bawl.
This month my niece stayed at my house to get ready for a family wedding and I became utterly appalled by this sweet, 14 year-old's atrocious, taste in music.  In my drive to correct such things- I told her this story. I'm completely positive she ignored it, however I chose to immortalize such lessons in music. In County Music Medicine.

                 
                                          Hank Williams Jr.:  "All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down)"

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