Hank Williams Jr.Hank Williams Jr. was supposed to be a superstar from the day he was born. His father, the legendary Hank Williams, and his mother, Audrey Sheppard, both played an intricate part in his early stardom. Hank has had to overcome many obstacles in his life, including escaping from his father's shadow and a near-death experience in 1975. Hank's many triumphs and his ability to overcome setbacks have led him to legendary status. Born May 26, 1949 in Shreveport, Louisiana, Randall Hank Williams, Jr. was destined to become a star. Tragically, his father died on New Year's Day 1953, at the young age of twenty-nine ("Official Home Page", Biography). However, his mother, a country singer in her own right, helped Hank Jr. launch one of the first, and most successful childhood careers in country music history. Hank first appeared on stage at the young age of eight. Hank appeared on the Grand Ole Opry at age eleven, singing his father's songs in his father's style. At the age of fourteen Hank recorded his first album, a hit version of his father's "Lone Gone Lonesome Blues". At the age when most kids were playing baseball or Little League football, Hank was learning to play the piano from Jerry Lee Lewis, appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show, and performing for audiences of up to twenty thousand people. In 1969, Hank teamed up with Johnny Cash to perform in the biggest country concert to date. In 1970, Hank signed the largest recording contract in the history of MGM Records. As proud as he was to be HankWilliams' son, Hank grew tired of being in his father's shadow. In high school, known as "Rockin' Randall," Hank nevertheless played contemporary rock, which had to remain a secret from all his traditional country fans. He also enjoyed listening to rhythm and blues, however these types of music were despised by many in Nashville. Later in his career, Hank also released a couple of rock singles under the name Bo Cephus on Verve Records, a subdivision of MGM. The split between what he wanted to do and what was expected of him, coupled with his long-term alcohol and drug abuse, developed into a downward spiral in his career that led to a suicide attempt in 1974. Early on of 1975, Hank recorded “Hank Williams, Jr. and Friends,” his first real step in escaping his father's shadow and past. Even though the album was a success, MGM wanted it to return to the style that would sustain it for a long time