ANEHEIM, Calif. (By Cary Baker/ Conqueroo) - Wayne 'The Train' Hancock, the artist who Hank Williams III claims sounds more like his grandfather than he himself does, actually finds a more applicable comparison to the legendary Texan and big-band leader Bob Wills. Hancock's latest release on Bloodshot Records, Tulsa, is a tip of the ten-gallon hat to Wills, who settled in Tulsa, Oklahoma early in his career. As Bob Wills and the
Texas Playboys did in the '40s and '50s, Wayne Hancock takes his show out on the road for more than 250 days out of the year, filling dance halls with uncompromising sets of his infectious brand of Western swing.
Wayne Hancock's early performances caught the attention of Texas steel guitar legend and producer Lloyd Maines (Wilco, Joe Ely, Richard Buckner, Uncle Tupelo, Dixie Chicks — featuring daughter Natalie), who went on to produce Hancock's stunning debut, Thunderstorms and Neon Signs (1996). The album garnered enough critical acclaim to earn Hancock appearances on two of the nation's best showcases, NPR's 'Prairie Home Companion' and PBS's 'Austin City Limits.' Rightfully deemed "the undisputed king of Juke Joint Swing,' Wayne Hancock will kick off a summer/fall U.S. tour on July 21 in Houston.
Tulsa, also recorded by Hancock ally Maines, captures Wayne's signature 'call-outs' to his stellar cast: Eddie Biebel, Dave Biller, Paul Skelton (lguitars), Chris Darrell (doghouse bass), Eddie Rivers (pedal steel guitar), Bob Stafford (trombone) and John Doyle (clarinet).
Hancock, who is, in his own words, 'the stab wound in the fabric of country music,' has long been viewed as an anomaly among his country music peers. The Stranger in Seattle called Hancock 'one of the last independents.' AllMusic.com referred to him as 'a rare breed of traditionalist, one who imbues his retro obsessions with such high energy and passions that his songs never feel like the museum pieces he's trying to preserve.' And No Depression put it best: 'Anyone this authentic has a lot to offer in these unauthentic times.'
WAYNE HANCOCK – THE 2006 U.S. TOUR:
Fri 07.21 Houston, TX Fitzgerald's
Sat 07.22 Austin, TX Continental Club
Wed 08.02 Asheville, NC Grey Eagle
Thu 08.03 Nashville, NC Nashville Arts Center (that's NC, folks!)
Fri 08.04 Morgantown, WV 123 Pleasant Street
Sat 08.05 Edwardsville, PA Spitfire's Theater
Mon 08.07 Cleveland, OH Beachland Ballroom
Wed 08.09 Newport, KY Southgate House
Thu 08.10 Saybrook, IL Shady Nook
Fri 08.11 Chicago, IL Beat Kitchen
Sat 08.12/13 East Lansing, MI Great Lakes Folk Festival
Sat 08.19 San Antonio, TX Casbeer's
Wed 08.23 Kansas City, MO Knucklehead's Saloon
Fri 08.25 Des Moines, IA Hairy Mary's
Sat 08.26 St. Croix Falls, WI The Dalles House
Mon 08.28/29 St. Paul, MN Minnesota State Fair - Heritage Square Stage
Fri 09.01 Seattle, WA Tractor Tavern
Sat 09.02 Portland, OR Dante's
Sun 09.03 Eugene, OR John Henry's
Tue 09.05 McKinleyville, CA Six Rivers Brewery
Wed 09.06 Casper, CA Casper Inn
Thu 09.07 San Francisco, CA Hemlock Tavern
Sat 09.09 Hollywood, CA Safari Sam's
Sun 09.10 Scottsdale, AZ Rhythm Room
Wed 10.04 Austin, TX Continental Club
Tue 10.17 Atlanta, GA Smith's Olde Bar
Fri 11.03 Irving, TX Silverado Ranch
Sat 11.04 Nocona, TX Nocona Nights
Thu 11.23 Austin, TX Continental Club
