(6/5/2026) I got the chance to attend the Hank Williams Jr., Joe Nichols, and Spencer Hatcher concert at the MidFlorida Credit Union Amphitheatre in Tampa. The tickets were given to me at the last minute. My friend Dusty came along because most people I know either don't like country music or don't live anywhere near Florida.
Going in, I wasn't familiar with Spencer Hatcher, but that changed pretty quickly. The man has an incredible voice, great stage presence, and several songs that immediately caught my attention. I left as a new fan and will definitely be adding some of his music to my playlists.
Joe Nichols was fantastic. I've always enjoyed his music, and he sounded just as good live as he does on his records. He did a great job interacting with the crowd and making the audience feel involved in the show. I was a little disappointed he didn't play "Gimme That Girl", I've always liked that one but honestly, that's a minor complaint when the rest of the set was so enjoyable.
One of the highlights of the night happened after the show when I got the chance to actually meet Joe Nichols and take a photo with him. He was incredibly kind, and it was a really cool experience getting to meet an artist whose music I've enjoyed for years.
Of course, I also couldn't resist the merchandise booth. Before the concert even started, I picked up three shirts: a Hank Williams Jr. tour shirt, a "Country State of Mind" shirt, and a Joe Nichols tequila tank top. My wallet may have suffered a little, but I regret absolutely nothing.
Then came the main event: Hank Williams Jr.
I've been listening to Hank's music since I was a little girl. His songs have been part of the soundtrack of my life for as long as I can remember, but I never thought I'd actually get the opportunity to see him perform live. So when the chance came along, especially for free, there was absolutely no way I was going to pass it up.
I've already caught some flak for attending because of Hank's political views and some of the things he's said over the years. But look, I don't agree with a lot of what Hank Williams Jr. believes these days. Not even close on some topics. But I also believe it's possible to appreciate an artist's talent without agreeing with every opinion they hold.
At the end of the day, Hank Williams Jr. is a legendary musician, songwriter, and performer. His influence on country music is undeniable, and seeing him live was an experience I never expected to have. He put on a great show, sounded fantastic, and reminded me why his music has endured for decades.
No regrets. Free tickets, good company, great music, a few new shirts, the chance to meet Joe Nichols, and finally getting to see Hank Williams Jr. perform live after being a fan for so many years. That's a pretty damn good night in my book.
