Hank Williams Jr. made a memorable appearance on Late Night with David Letterman in 1982, showcasing his acoustic rendition of “A Country Boy Can Survive.” The performance was a highlight of his promotion for the album High Notes, released earlier that year.
Williams, who had reinvented his image following a near-fatal fall in 1975, was riding high on his blend of country, rock, and blues. Though he was at the height of his fame, he chose to perform a track from his previous album, The Pressure Is On, rather than from High Notes.
As Williams took the stage, Letterman humorously held up a copy of High Notes and asked, “Is this song from the album, sir?” To which Williams replied, “No, it’s from the album before this one.” The studio audience laughed as Letterman introduced the song, setting the stage for a standout performance of “A Country Boy Can Survive.”
