WATCH: Chris Stapleton Closes Out Harley Davidson Homecoming With Hank Williams Jr.’s Party Anthem “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight”

Tipping his cap to Bocephus.

Over the weekend, country music was alive and well in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Harley-Davidson hosted their Harley-Davidson Homecoming Festival featuring a star-studded lineup of Chris Stapleton, Hank Williams Jr., Turnpike Troubadours, Treaty Oak Revival, Sierra Ferrell, Charles Wesley Godwin, 49 Winchester, and more.

And while some thunderstorms pumped the brakes on Day 1, forcing fans to miss Treaty Oak Revival, Charles Wesley Godwin and headliner Hank Williams Jr., it was overall a weekend filled with good music, good people, and beautiful motorcycles.

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While it’s hard not to have a good time with a lineup like that, with each set showcasing phenomenal talent, there were a few moments that stood out among others. One of which occurred during  Chris Stapleton‘s set. Playing the headlining slot the second night of the festival, Stapleton tipped his hat to the man who was supposed to hit the stage the night before him, Ol Bocephus.

While I think Stapleton could knock many of his songs out of the water, like “Mr. Weatherman,” but Stapleton chose a more upbeat song to keep the crowd feeling good late in the night and laid down a rocking version of “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.”

Hank Williams Jr. has many stories of being wild and rambunctious during his prime. “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” was released in 1984 and quickly became one of the best party anthems in country music. The song was later used from 1989 to 2011 as the anthem for Monday Night Football.

Many thought that this house party tune was released before “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down),” celebrating their wild days before all of his friends got married and became honest men. However, “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” was a secondary tune to “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down).” It’s almost as though Bocephus penned the song in rebellion against all of his friends who got married, leaving him partying by himself.

But back to Stapleton’s rendition…

As soon as the “White Horse” singer fires up the iconic intro, the crowd goes wild. Accompanied by his wife, Morgane, who assisted with the harmonies, Stapleton let it rip from the first note. He added a slight rasp to his vocal delivery, which gave his voice a similar outlaw feel to Bocephus.

“Now my party pad is out in the woods
It’s a long, long way from here to Hollywood
But I got some natural queens out on the floor
And old Miss Mississippi just walked through the door

Stapleton shows off how powerful his vocals are during the chorus, not holding back one bit, and the audience eats every second of it up. You can hear everyone singing along with him, and I’m sure they’re having a ball behind the camera.

That’s one hell of a way to close out your set, and after hearing this Hank Williams Jr. cover from Stapleton, I’m craving to know what he’d do with a deeper cut from Bocephus.

Check it out.

While you’re here, fire up this legendary music video for “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight.”

The post WATCH: Chris Stapleton Closes Out Harley Davidson Homecoming With Hank Williams Jr.’s Party Anthem “All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over Tonight” first appeared on Whiskey Riff.