Main content
Sorry, this episode is not currently available

Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way? (1973-1983)

The 1970s and early 1980s were a vibrant era in country music that saw Dolly Parton find mainstream success and Hank Williams Jr emerge from his famous father's shadow.

The 1970s and early 1980s saw country music entering a vibrant era of new voices and attitudes. Dolly Parton made the crossover to mainstream success and became the most famous woman in country music. In 1980 she achieved an entirely new level of national stardom when she joined Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the hit Hollywood movie Nine to Five.

While George Jones and Tammy Wynette seemed to live out their songs鈥 tragic lyrics, Hank Williams Jr emerged from his father鈥檚 shadow. He performed Hank Williams Sr鈥檚 music when he was just eight years old, debuted on the Opry at the age of 11 singing Lovesick Blues and recorded an album of his father鈥檚 hits at 14. But as soon as he turned 18, he dropped his mother as a manager.

50 minutes

Music Played

  • Hank Williams, Jr.

    Stoned At The Jukebox

  • Waylon Jennings

    Are you Sure Hank Done It This Way?

  • Dolly Parton

    Jolene

  • LeAnn Rimes

    I Will Always Love You

  • Charlie Rich

    Behind Closed Doors

  • Olivia Newton鈥怞ohn

    If You Love Me (Let Me Know)

  • Waylon Jennings

    I've Been A Long Time Leaving (But I'll Be A Long Time Gone)

  • The Waylors, Waylon Jennings

    Don't Waste Your Time

  • Waylon Jennings

    Waymore's Blues

  • The Byrds

    Hickory Wind (Album Version)

  • The Flying Burrito Brothers

    Devil In Disguise

  • Emmylou Harris & Gram Parsons

    Love Hurts

  • Emmylou Harris & Gram Parsons

    Love Hurts

  • Emmylou Harris

    Boulder to Birmingham

  • Emmylou Harris

    If I Could Only Win Your Love

  • Hank Williams, Jr.

    Long Gone Lonesome Blues

  • Hank Williams, Jr.

    Can't You See

  • Hank Williams, Jr.

    Living Proof

  • Dolly Parton

    Here You Come Again

  • Dolly Parton

    9 to 5

  • Dolly Parton

    9 to 5

Credit

Role Contributor
Director Ken Burns

Broadcasts