Album Notes

Hank Slaughter (yes, that's his real name) has been writing and playing music as long as he can remember. Starting on drums at an early age, he soon learned that the guitar was much more portable and, frankly, chicks dig guitar players (hard to serenade a woman with a 7-piece drum set).

A multitude of musical influences have shaped his sound since then. Everything from Rush to Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd to The Dixie Chicks and Iron Maiden to Abba. "If I like a song, I like it. Period," says Hank. "It doesn't matter if it's rock or country or pop or metal or Aztec Indian folk music. Good is good."

Hank often tries to turn a song on its head. Whether he's playing Bon Jovi with a gentle fingerpick style or pounding out Travis Tritt with the distortion turned up to 11, Hank is all about change. "If people want to hear Bryan Adams, they're going to listen to Bryan Adams, not me. Most people want to hear something a little different; they just don't know it yet. So when I cover a song, I like to turn heads."

With all of these influences, it's no wonder that Hank's original pieces are just that; original. His songs have been compared to everything from Matchbox 20 to Neil Diamond. His guitar work--most often played on his custom-made archtop named "Linus"--is simple, rich and uncluttered leaving more room for his deep, insightful lyrics. "I want to MAKE people listen to the story I'm telling. And when they do and I see that certain look on their face...well; that's the best feeling in the world."

After living for three years in Europe, Hank made fans throughout Holland, Belgium, Germany, England and Ireland. It was during this time that he teamed up with lyricist Tim Phillips for two of the songs on “Southern Anthem”.

Hank currently lives in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where he plans to work with local African musicians on his next project, "On A Mission."