Jason Petty brings HANK AND MY HONKY TONK HEROES to the Barter Theatre

Hank Williams is known the world over as the most influential singer/songwriter ever. Now, acclaimed performer/musician and Middle Tennessee native Jason Petty, along with his four piece band, is bringing the authentic and insightful story of Hank to life in Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes for a special presentation at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, April 21-May 21.

"Chock full of Hank's hits including 'Your Cheatin' Heart,' 'I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry,' 'Hey Good Lookin',' 'Lovesick Blues' and many, more, Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes will have audiences clapping their hands and stomping their feet," says Richard Rose, producing artistic director of Barter Theatre.

Backed by a four-piece band, just like Williams performed, Petty gives a personal look at Williams growing up, how he became famous, who influenced the legendary singer songwriter and performers today who are influenced by Williams.

Going back to the very beginning when Hank Williams was given his very first guitar all the way to how Hank has made a lasting impression music, even after over 50 years after his death. Even now, Williams is recognized as being in the top of the most influential singer songwriters.
Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes has played to sold-out houses across the country from Broadway to Nashville. Conceived and written by Petty, the idea sparked when Petty was asked to portray Williams at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville in the musical biography of Williams' life entitled Lost Highway.

"I later won the Off Broadway equivalent of a Tony Award, an Obie Award, for outstanding performance in Lost Highway," says Petty.

After finishing the run of that show, Petty began going through his trunk full of notes from his research of Williams to form a new show, Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes. "It seems his music and influence still touch the same nerve with people as it did some 65 years ago," said Petty.

Since singing and storytelling was in Petty's blood - instilled at an early age by his grandmother - Petty pieced the stories he had heard and the songs together in Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes.
"Growing up on a farm in middle Tennessee, I love front porch storytelling," said Petty.

Petty remembers being at his grandparents' farm house in Primm Springs: "We would sit on the front porch swing, just like in the movies. My grandmother would shell peas and sing the old country songs from the '40s and '50s. She and my grandfather would weave stories of the old days, and I would sit enthralled at the mention of simpler times with no TV, just an old Silvertone radio tuned to the Grand Ole Opry."

"Jason and his band make you feel like your hearing a friend tell a story on your porch," says Rose. "Add these great songs to the mix and you have a Sunday afternoon at Mamaw's house with friends and family."

Not only will the great songs of Hank Williams Sr. be performed, other songs are in the show as well. "I picked the other artists due to the fact that they were huge influences on a young Hank Williams...i.e., Jimmie Rodgers, Carter Family, Roy Acuff and Ernest Tubb. I chose the other artists because they were hugely influenced by Hank. Those include George Jones, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Elvis and Alan Jackson," Petty explains.

Other songs featured include "Will the Circle Be Unbroken," "Wine Me Up" and "Midnight in Montgomery."

Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes is a special presentation by Barter Theatre playing April 21-May 21. For tickets and more information on Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes, call (276) 628-3991 or visit www.BarterTheatre.com.

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