Hank Williams Jr. brought all his rowdy friends to Fort Worth last night selling out the world’s largest honky tonk- the iconic Billy Bob’s Texas. He sold out both shows on the 2nd and 3rd. Williams is among an elite group of musicians booked to help Billy Bob’s Texas Commemorate their 40th anniversary the entire month of April. Upcoming anniversary shows include three nights with both Midland and Dwight Yoakam and a five-night run of both Miranda Lambert and Thomas Rhett.
The country music hall of famer, also known as Bocephus, blazed through his whiskey-soaked hits that included “Born to Boogie”, “A Country Boy Can Survive” and crowd favorite, “Family Tradition”.
photo by Brooks Burris
The set was tight and short with no encore- but didn’t really need one. He paid tribute to artists before him including Hank Williams Sr., Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis, ZZ Top, and more.
Dressed in all black cowboy attire, Jr. switched between his cool black caps and baseball caps. Williams always has great lines that are often quoted by fans; “You’ve got to dress like an icon.You’ve got to shine like a beacon”, Jr. said at one point.
photo by Brooks Burris
The multi-instrumentalist bounced from electric to acoustic, to keys, and to fiddle. WIlliams jumped on keys for a rousing cover of Jerry Lee Lewis’ “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On”. Many don’t know that he learned to play piano from legends Fats Domino and Jerry Lee Lewis and that he played on ZZ Top’s epic “La Grange”.
Set list Kalaiya (played fiddle) (Hank Sr. cover) Your Cheatin’ Heart (Hank Sr. cover)
All My Rowdy Friends Whiskey Bent and Hellbound
La Grange (ZZ Top cover) Od’d in Denver
Acoustic solo set
Outlaw Women There’s a Tear in My Beer All My Rowdy Friends Have Settled Down Walk the Line (Johnny Cash cover) A Country Boy Can Survive Born to Boogie Family Tradition
This year’s lineup of artists had a great mix from different genres. That included veteran musicians like Brad Paisley, Bush, Sammy Hagar with newer popular artists like Becky G, Morgan Wallen, Jon Pardi, Chris Yong, Aaron Watson, Lauren Alaina, and Carly Pearce.
Check out some of our favorites from the February event, and you can see all our concert photos and reviews on Austin 101.
This year was an amazing year in music across all genres in Austin and cities nearby. For icon and pop lovers- JLO, Cher, Backstreet Boys, and Billy Joel were epic productions with big fan sing-alongs and the artists looked and sounded great. We covered every genre from country (Tim McGraw, Lyle Lovett, Brett Young, Kacey Musgraves) to hip hop (Wu Tang Clan,Lil Uzi Vert, TI) to Emo (Blink 182).
For indie lovers, ImagineDragons, The Killers, Kaleo, Flaming Lips, The B52’s, Kurt Vile, The Cure, Nick Cave, Vampire Weekend, Hozier, Smashing Pumpkins/Noel Gallagher, and The Raconteurs jammed big time.
For true rockers, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Jeff Beck, The Who, Eric Clapton, Dead and Co., Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, Zakk Wylde, Warren Haynes’ Gov’t Mule, and Lenny Kravitz were huge highlights as these legends don’t often tour and rarely do you see so many rock icons tour in the same year.
We covered huge festivals this year including ACL Fest (Lizzo, Billie Eilish, GNR, , Crossroads Guitar Fest, KAABOO (Avett Brothers, Lionel Richie, TI), SXSW, Willie Nelson’s Luck Reunion and Outlaw festival, Levitation Fest, iheart Country Music Festival, Superbowl’s Big Night (Foo Fighters), Koke Fest, and Old Settler’s Fest.
Heard It In A Past Life
The most unique and interesting shows by far included: Jake Shimabukuro, Nick Cave, and Claypool Lennon Delirium. The best show for a local Austin artist goes far-and-away to Black Pumas who sold out 3 nights in a row at iconic venue Mohawk.
Here is our list for the top concerts of the year: (if you want to see more photos just click on the link to the photo gallery for each show)
Cher
This film and music legend gave one of the best shows- seemingly brought her Vegas act to Texas-and not only does she look and sound amazing but the production and the constant costume changes (every few songs) and the nostalgia for Mama Mia and Sonny and Cher make our best of list.
Although she didn’t headline, Lizzo was by far the highlight and had to take up an additional stage to broadcast to the massive crowd. There was no getting up close to hear hit “Juice”.
Jack and the boys put on a ridiculously cool and memorable show for their KLRU taping for Austin City Limits-just nights before playing the festival at Zilker park. This is a must-see show if you’ve never seen these guys.
Lopez’ It’s My Party tour was a true production. The party celebrated her 50th bday and included epic costume changes, moving stages, and pyro. No other show had more.
The highly anticipated Eric Clapton music festival returned to Texas after many years. This show is special as it’s only held every 6 years and includes the best guitar legends like Jeff Beck, Peter Frampton, Clapton, and more.
Ray’s party is always the bucket list item in Austin each year during SXSW at iconic Stubb’s Amphitheater. This year included JS Ondara, Lukas Nelson, Salt and Pepa, Mike D, Bleachers…
This music legend still tours frequently but it was a very unique show at Houston’s rodeo early in the year. His guitar skills blow us away every time.
These rockers haven’t been touring much lately so we were floored to get to cover this awesome show in Atlanta for part of Superbowl 2019. Foo put on a ridiculous show that will not be forgotten.
What can we see. There’s no way Paul is not making this list. His show was nonstop music from this legend and the mere presence of this Beatle was memorable.
From legend Mavis Staples to Foo guitarist Chris Shiflett, this party goes down near Austin at Willie’s family ranch during SXSW and is a very small gathering that takes place in saloons and churches.
We covered his last tour too and Mayer never disappoints. He’s not just pop, he’s a great guitarist (and Clapton brought him to his guitar fest to prove it).
Not only was this lineup cool, but each could have headlined individual sold out tours. Non-stop action from Cage’s frontman make it a total surprise- you never know what he’s going to do next.
One of the most unique and cool collabs around today combines hard rock/metal Les Claypool from Primus paired with Sean Lennon. Feels like you’re on shrooms even if you’re not.
The Stones are back and make our top spot on the list. Hands down the best and coolest high-energy show of the year. After a brief rest to recover from a heart procedure, Mick and the boys put on a performance that made you scratch your head that these guys are in their 70’s.
For indie lovers, Imagine Dragons, The Killers, Kaleo, Flaming Lips, The B52’s, Kurt Vile, The Cure, Nick Cave, Vampire Weekend, Hozier, Smashing Pumpkins/Noel Gallagher, and The Raconteurs jammed big time.
For true rockers, The Rolling Stones, Sting, Jeff Beck, The Who, Eric Clapton, Dead and Co., Paul McCartney, Todd Rundgren, Zakk Wylde, Warren Haynes’ Gov’t Mule, and Lenny Kravitz were huge highlights as these legends don’t often tour and rarely do you see so many rock icons tour in the same year.
Cher
Lizzo’s ACL Fest
Tenacious D
Wu Tang Clan
(photo Scott Newton/KLRU)
(photo Michael Amico)
Eric Clapton’s Crossroads Music fest
Santana
Solange
Black Pumas
(courtesy Facebook)
Paul McCartney
Cage/Beck/Spoon
Dead and Co.
Claypool Lennon Delirium
Twenty One Pilots
Rolling Stones 
