Biography

ROCKER AUSTIN HANKS RELEASES HARD-DRIVING ALABASTARD
ON (DATE) WITH ALL-STAR CAST OF SUPPORTING MUSICIANS

Celebrated songwriter's follow-up to 2005's solo debut Salt of the Earth features Grammy winner David Bianco, producer ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, many more

LOS ANGELES, CA – News: Austin Hanks' long-anticipated Alabastard will hit streets on (DATE) featuring producer ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons and players such as Grammy winner David Bianco (Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Johnny Cash), Steve Ferrone (Tom Petty) and Rickey Medlocke (Lynyrd Synnyrd). Alabastard follows the Alabama native's celebrated 2005 debut Salt of the Earth. “A common theme with Alabastard is a man on a journey, reflecting on a struggling past,” Hanks says. “I created the word to describe a man who left his homeland, an Alabama **** in search of a new life.”

Hanks' country-rock sound doubles down on roadhouse honky tonk with infectious southern boogie guitars. His raspy Jackson Browne-like tenor delivers each song with undeniable grooves and frontman power not unlike rock and roll legends Tom Petty and Bruce Springsteen. Listen. You'll hear. “Austin enters the realm of Americana with another superb release of classic compositions, rock solid delivery and memorable melodies,” Gibbons says. “Alabastard's a real barn burner!” Medlocke echoes the sentiment: “Austin is one of the most soulful singers, songwriters and musicians that I have had the pleasure of knowing. I think that Alabastard is such a reflection of that soulfulness.”

Hanks has worked steadily since Salt of the Earth. Compelling evidence: The current Los Angeles resident co-wrote the buoyant hit “Flyin' High” with old pal Gibbons, the first single off ZZ Top's energetic 2012 album La Futura. Additionally, he's opened for and shared stages with several iconic rockers including The Black Crowes, The Allman Brothers and Bad Company, as well as country stars Gary Allen, Jack Ingram and Trace Adkins. Better still, Hanks has opened more than forty shows for classic rock icons Lynyrd Skynyrd and penned six songs for the hit television show Sons of Anarchy.

After moving to Los Angeles, Hanks and Nashville friends Tonya Watts and Travis Howard founded It Came from Nashville, a songwriter round held for years at the legendary Hollywood club Genghis Cohen. “It Came From Nashville was an acoustic show that a group of musical drifters from the Deep South like myself created to play songs and tell stories in the round,” Hanks says. “We planned to play it once or twice, but it became an L.A. staple that lasted six years. It launched a few careers!” “It has been one of the great wild cards in Los Angeles country music,” raves L.A. Weekly, “featuring a loose tribe of Southern-born renegades including high-impact country cat Austin Hanks.”

Results speak for themselves. “Being from small town Alabama, I played for years around the Deep South, often playing 180 shows or more a year,” Hanks continues. “Shortly after relocating to Nashville, I signed a writing deal with EMI and they wanted me to work with their L.A. team. I moved to L.A. and ended up loving it and I helped start a new wave of West Coast country that had the attention of Dwight Yoakam, Lucinda Williams and the gang. My songwriting went to a whole new level of inner-reflecting.” Witness yourself as Hanks opens nearly two dozen shows for ZZ Top's American tour zig-zagging throughout the country in February and March 2017.




AUSTIN HANKS SPRING TOUR 2017 (SUPPORTING ZZ TOP)

Sat., Feb. 18 Saenger Theatre, Mobile, AL
Sun., Feb. 19 Peace Center Concert Hall, Greenville, SC
Tues., Feb. 21 Township Auditorium, Columbia, SC
Weds., Feb. 22 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville, TN
Fri., Feb. 24 The Louisville Palace Theatre, Louisville, KY
Sat., Feb. 25 Hard Rock Live, Northfield, OH
Sun., Feb. 26 Proctors, Schenectady, NY
Tues., Feb. 28 Penn's Peak, Jim Thorpe, PA
Weds., March 1 Beacon Theatre, New York, NY
Fri., March 3 Caesars Atlantic City-Circus Maximus, Atlantic City, NJ
Sat., March 4 H. Ric Luhrs PAC, Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA
Sun., March 5 MGM National Harbor, Washington, DC
Tues., March 7 Anderson Music Hall, Hiawassee, GA
Weds., March 8 Orpheum Theatre, Memphis, TN
Fri., March 10 Paradise Cove Margaritaville, Tulsa, OK
Sat., March 11 Golden Nuggett, Lake Charles, LA
Tues., March 14 City Auditorium, Macon, GA
Fri., March 17 Fillmore Miami Beach, Miami Beach, FL
Mon., March 20 Bell County Expo Center, Belton, TX

For more information, contact Gretchen Barber, 512-536-0477, barber333@gmail.com.