Review: Unknown Hinson Gaining In Popularity, Unlike Anything Else
Posted
Dale Hubler-dhubler@timesuniononline.com
FORT WAYNE – The self-proclaimed king of country-western troubadours, Unknown Hinson’s appearance and musical style are unlike anything you’re used to. He wouldn’t want it any other way. Often described as a “hillbilly vampire”, Unknown Hinson is the alter ego of Albermale, N.C., native Stuart Daniel Baker. With jet-black hair, glued-on eyebrows, signature rodeo tailor coat and black ribbon neck tie, and of course his unmistakable southern drawl, Unknown Hinson took to the outdoor stage at Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory in Fort Wayne Friday night. With witty lyrics and searing guitar riffs – sounds produced by his own signature series of Reverand Guitars – Unknown Hinson put on a quite a show. Those that were familiar with his work sang along to hits like “Silver Platter”, “Undead Blues” and “Venus Bound”, while those that had never seen him were left wanting more. I stumbled upon the whole Unknown Hinson world a few years back when a friend told me I had to check out a YouTube video. I wasn’t disappointed, and I haven’t been disappointed the three times I’ve seen Unknown Hinson live. The other shows were in Hazzard, Ky., and Louisville, Ky., and they were much like the show in Fort Wayne in that Unknown Hinson had the crowd in the palm of his hand, and he thanked them by signing autographs and posing for pictures with each and every person in attendance. Though he plays in smaller venues, Unknown Hinson’s popularity continues to grow. He released his seventh CD – “Reloaded” – last month and is currently on a nationwide tour. If you haven’t seen him on stage with a guitar in hand, maybe you’ve heard his work as the voice of Early Cuyler, the main character on the Adult Swim cartoon series Squidbillies. He also plays bass in actor Billy Bob Thornton’s band The Boxmasters. Baker – though he prefers to stay in character and be referred to as Unknown Hinson – has shared the stage with acts such as The Reverend Horton Heat, Marty Stuart, Hank Williams III and former Lynyrd Skynyrd member Ed King.Hank III, yes, the grandson son of the famed country singer and son of country music’s beloved Bocephus, has Unknown Hinson’s face tattooed on his bicep. While Unknown Hinson is still relatively, well, unknown, his popularity and cult following continue to grow. If you’re interested in checking out one of his shows, visit www.unknownhinson.com As the lyrics in one of his songs say, he’s “comin’ darlin, to a town near you.”
