(Our) Country Heroes

This is a new recording and our take on Hank III’s classic Country Heroes to include our country heroes. Credits and background under the video.

Bob Wayne

Our friend Andy Richardson of Freetownway Productions first introduced us, and Hull, to Bob Wayne in 2017.

Bob Wayne has played three times in Hull, twice with the Outlaw Carnies and one solo show, all at O’Riley’s on Beverley Road courtesy of Freetownway. Cowboy DC’s Work in Progress were on the bill with the Outlaw Carnies in 2018, Mike Greaves and Lonesome Too supported in 2022, and at the solo show Bob told us about Hank III whilst writing a CDR for us of his new album, Rogue.

Hank III

Hank III wrote Country Heroes. After chatting with Bob we delved into Hank III and his back catalogue along with full live shows with the Damn Band. Country Heroes is on his third studio album Straight to Hell, but the inspiration for this re-imagining came from watching the acoustic version – just Hank on his D4 and Dan Mason from the Damn Band on the banjo.

Mike Greaves

We first saw Mike fronting the Roustabouts, who had a residency in the early 1980s at the Shoulder of Mutton, a long gone and demolished pub between Hessle Road and Albert Dock. We’ve been fortunate to play on the same stage as Mike over the years, listening to his song Tears on the Humber for the first time in 2017 was special, and if ever there was a song to tell Hull like it was back in those days, this was it. Mike was also on the bill at the New Adelphi Club in Hull on the 27^th April 1994 with Townes Van Zandt.

Townes Van Zandt

The New Adelphi Club in Hull is known for promoting new and up and coming bands. So when Townes Van Zandt appeared on the monthly flyer for April in 1994, it was hard to believe. Townes in Hull, front row, and with Mike Greaves in support, a legendary gig.

Cowboy DC

We’d started running an acoustic night, but the deal was no amps, no PA, and no mic’s. Cowboy showed up for an early date in 2011. He was forming a bluegrass band to play his own material but with added Mississippi Sheiks, Willie Nelson and Cash. He called the band Work in Progress because that was what it was; guitar, mandolin, banjo and bass. Scowling Bob on the banjo left and Cowboy invited Dexter to join the band on violin in 2017. They were on the bill with Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies the following year.

David Allan Coe

Someone, somewhere along this line, told us about the film Heartworn Highways. It’s a beautiful film in many ways, starring Townes and David Allan Coe, it just blew us away.

These are our Country Heroes and the inspiration for this version of Hank III’s classic.

We hope you like it.

R&L