"I Saw the Light" Movie about Country music icon Hank Williams (played by a Brit actor)
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
Eugene, Oregon
March 31, 2016 10:48am CST
I am not a county music fan because I was raised on it in the cafes and on the jukeboxes of west Texas and grew very tired of it. One of the biggest names ever in country music was Hank Williams, born in 1923 and dead at age 29 from drinking and drugs. He wrote more than one huge crossover hit like "Your Cheatin' Heart ." His namesake Hank Jr. is a loutish, rude country singer as well (my opinion).
Now there is a biopic about old Hank out called "I Saw the Light." Hank is played by British actor Tom Hiddleston. I like British movies and their actors, but having a Brit play Hank Williams seems like strange casting to me. The film is getting less than sterling reviews.
Is American country music big in England? I know that it has been a big deal in Japan for many years.
Are you a country music fan?
12 people like this
15 responses
@TheHorse (218414)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Mar 16
One of my signature songs for awhile was Hank Sr.'s House of Gold. I think I learned it from a Seldom Scene album. I should get back to that one. To be honest, I don't follow Country that closely these days, even though I sing and play in a Country band!
2 people like this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Mar 16
I am more folkie and very jazz oriented where music is concerned.
2 people like this
@RasmaSandra (79618)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
31 Mar 16
@JamesHxstatic I like all kinds of music including the old country music of singers like Hank Williams and Johnny Cash etc. No I cannot imagine a Brit playing a country western star.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (218414)
• Walnut Creek, California
31 Mar 16
@JamesHxstatic That's where I am too right now. I play a lot of John Prine, and listen to a lot of jazz. I'm trying to learn to play bass behind some jazz standards, and it's helping me develop my ear.
2 people like this
@DWDavis (25805)
• United States
31 Mar 16
I am a country music fan, having been raised on Johnny Cash, Farron Young, Carl Smith, Johnny Horton, Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Charlie Rich, Charlie Pride, Carl Perkins, Roy Clark, Buck Owens...you get the idea.
But I also like classic rock, jazz, classical music, etc.
I am not a fan of some of the Country-Rap, hick hop crap that gets played on country radio these days, though.
2 people like this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Apr 16
You are close to Alabama. Have you visited the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery? Williams is also buried in Montgomery. Well worth the visit.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Apr 16
@JohnRoberts I am in Oregon actually. I left Texas many years ago.
@FourWalls (67680)
• United States
1 Apr 16
First, regarding the movie: I've not seen a good review of it yet. I haven't even read a "fair" review of it. This is, I think, the fourth movie about Hank Williams, and none of them have gotten it right yet! 
When Hiddleston was announced as the actor who'd play Williams, Shelton "Hank 3" Williams (Hank's grandson) had a fit. It seems his complaints were justified.
As for country music, I LOATHE it. Actually, country music (1921-about 1988) is the music of my soul. I can't stand this pop, rock, "bro-country" sexist crap, and "hick-hop" that they jokingly call "country music" today. And the lyrics? Holy crap, are they stupid. "There ain't no party like the pre-party, and after the party is the after-party at the parking lot party"??? That's a far cry from "The silence of a fallen star lights up a purple sky, and as I wonder where you are I'm so lonesome I could cry," isn't it? 
When Hiddleston was announced as the actor who'd play Williams, Shelton "Hank 3" Williams (Hank's grandson) had a fit. It seems his complaints were justified.
As for country music, I LOATHE it. Actually, country music (1921-about 1988) is the music of my soul. I can't stand this pop, rock, "bro-country" sexist crap, and "hick-hop" that they jokingly call "country music" today. And the lyrics? Holy crap, are they stupid. "There ain't no party like the pre-party, and after the party is the after-party at the parking lot party"??? That's a far cry from "The silence of a fallen star lights up a purple sky, and as I wonder where you are I'm so lonesome I could cry," isn't it? 1 person likes this
@FourWalls (67680)
• United States
1 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic -- how I feel about "Stairway to Heaven."
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Apr 16
@FourWalls I never cared for that either,
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
1 Apr 16
It truly is. I was overexposed as a kid I guess and just got very tired of it.
1 person likes this
@Marilynda1225 (82690)
• United States
1 Apr 16
I'm a huge country music fan but it's doubtful I'll see this movie
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Apr 16
I really like the Dixiechicks since they spoke out about Bush and Cheney.
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
4 Apr 16
@Lucky15 Yes, some are like that and some are so sappy they are awful.
@Lucky15 (37374)
• Philippines
4 Apr 16
@JamesHxstatic in country songs, they have this kind of.music that feel.like... i am listening to a story with such emotions
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (166595)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Mar 16
I am totally amazed by some Brit stars who play an American character. They speak perfect English with no British accent. Then you see them in an interview and realize they are British or Australian. Weird.
1 person likes this
@41CombedaleRoad (5952)
• Greece
1 Apr 16
I am British and I like country western music, but in small doses. After a while they all sound the same to me. The lyrics are often very good and the tunes have a decent beat. So, yes, I am a fan with reservations.
1 person likes this
@xFiacre (12963)
• Ireland
31 Mar 16
@jameshxstatic I can't be doing with all the sentimentality of country songs, especially the tear jerkers!
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Mar 16
Yes, that was one of the reasons that I grew to dislike it,
@ElizabethWallace (12074)
• United States
1 Apr 16
Nope. I prefer West Coast music, Beach Boys, Doors, Huey Lewis.
1 person likes this
@Mike197602 (15505)
• United Kingdom
1 Apr 16
Country music is not big here at all.
I did used to watch Nashville though
1 person likes this
@JohnRoberts (109846)
• Los Angeles, California
1 Apr 16
I am sort of perplexed why so many Brits and Ausies are cast as Americans in film and TV. In the 1960s, George Hamilton played Hank Williams in a biopic and a few years ago Henry Thomas (the ET kid) played Williams in The Last Ride.
1 person likes this
@puddleglum (1380)
• United States
31 Mar 16
I also thought this casting was strange even though I like Tom Hiddleston and thought his accent and singing in the promos were impressive. I'm not a country music fan, but I'm a little partial to "I'm So Lonesome, I Could Cry."
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29413)
• Eugene, Oregon
31 Mar 16
That was certainly a big early hit for him.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (339355)
• Rockingham, Australia
1 Apr 16
I used to like country music and still do to some extent although I haven't kept up with the big names. You'd think they could have found an American to play Hank though, wouldn't you?
