“This Is Embarrassing” – Shaboozey Gets Roasted For Subpar Cover Of Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition”

Don’t think Hank (Jr.) done it that way.

Shaboozey. You know him, you probably don’t love him and you’ve sure as hell heard “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” approximately 100 times too many by now.

At this point, there’s simply no denying the otherworldly success Shaboozey (and more specifically “A Bar Song”) has experienced over the last 18 months. Beyond it netting him three Grammy nominations for Song of the Year, Best Country Song and Best Country Performance, the ultra-viral track also won him a pair of Billboard awards for Top Selling and Top Country Songs back in November.

From a numbers perspective, “A Bar Song’s” success is hard to even wrap your head around. Beyond the anecdotal fact that the song will be played at nearly every bar in the country on any given weekend (I seriously cannot tell you the last time I’ve been to a bar where the song has not played in some form), the track recently secured the title of longest-running #1 hit in the history of Billboard’s all-genre Hot 100 chart. Simply put, he’s everywhere.

Of course, “A Bar Song’s” success has sparked a seemingly endless amount of debates, ranging from black representation in country music and Shaboozey’s place in the genre to the growing intersection of rap and country and the commodification of the genre as a whole. And with that, a whole bunch of people were not happy with him and the song itself.

I’ve always been of the opinion that Shaboozey is ultimately not very different than a majority of the other artists, such as Graham Barham, Chase Matthew and more, who have been continuously pushing rap/trap-inspired “country” music up the Top 40 charts. Sure, is “A Bar Song” being quite literally everywhere annoying?  Yes. Is it really that big of a deal to pearl-clutch and get upset about? No, especially given the fact that country radio and the Top 40 as a whole have been degraded so greatly over the past decade. Plus, it’s pretty damn catchy…

With all of that being said, Shaboozey committed his biggest sin recently when he tried (and failed) to cover none other than Hank Williams Jr.’s classic 1979 single, “Family Tradition.”

At a recent show in Indianapolis, Indiana, the 30-year-old singer decided to break out a cover of the Bocephus hit… and it was not very good to say the least. Beyond the crowd seemingly being out of it and not even knowing the filler words throughout the chorus, Shaboozey came out sounding pretty flat and overall just bored.

Though I wouldn’t personally consider it anything close to a career-ending performance or even a complete disaster, country fans online were quick to pounce on the “Good News” singer. With comments ranging from “I’m throwing up inside” to “Get him off stage,” many did not hold back showing their displeasure.

“This is embarrassing!”

“Hell no what a joke”

“This is horrid”

“You know it helps when you tune the fiddle!”

“I’ve seen Hank live, and I’ll tell you this is not the Hank Williams family tradition”

“Can’t carry a tune in a bucket.”

“This dude is as far from country music as anybody. What a disgrace to the genre.”

“Nah bro get him off stage”

“I hope y’all didn’t pay for that. He’s pitiful!!”

“He really just ruined family tradition”

“I’m throwing up inside”

“Ewwwwwww”

Yeah, that sounds about on par for the internet…

Again, I wouldn’t say it’s downright the worst thing I’ve ever heard in my life. With that being said, Shaboozey isn’t exactly a great live performer. But for everyone’s sake, maybe leave the Hank Jr. covers for the real outlaws that are out here making music. I think we’ll all be better off that way.

Watch here:

@maloneradio @BOOZEY sings #FamilyTradition in #Indianapolis #hankwilliamsjr #country #Shaboozey ♬ original sound – Matt Malone

The post “This Is Embarrassing” – Shaboozey Gets Roasted For Subpar Cover Of Hank Williams Jr.’s “Family Tradition” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.