Wayne Hancock is sort of the ultimate No Depression cover story, and an exemplary member of the Bloodshot Records cast. More than his record label or membership in any perceived country-rock insurgency, it is Hancock’s music that distinguishes him as a traditionalist, one who does not bore with slavish devotion to a perceived time of purity in his chosen genre. Instead, the guitarist and songwriter skips amongst the roots of country music and its many offshoots, incorporating honky-tonk, hillbilly, old-time, western swing, rockabilly, and even some Willie Nelson-style standard treatments into his repertoire. The variety of the material and the energy he brings to it prevent a Hancock performance from descending into pastiche or a museum piece. Country was, after all, once the province of drunks and scoundrels rather than empowered soccer moms. Look for both of these demographics to come together in mutual appreciation of Hancock’s show at Rose Bowl Tavern this Sunday.
Rose Bowl is located at 106 N Race St. in Urbana. Cover is $15 at the door, and a very friendly employee tells us that the show starts at 8:00 p.m.