In the music industry, there are very few artists who surpass superstar status to become true American icons. Hank Williams, Jr. is a founding member of that elite club.

Throughout his career, he's helped shape our country's cultural landscape with his unbridled creativity, from his gut honesty and unwavering personal convictions.

His music not only reflects his own life, but the common experiences that unite us. His music has long been a barometer reflecting both our nation's challenges and the resilience of the human spirit in such anthems as, "A Country Boy Can Survive."

And he managed to perfectly capture the country's sense of fun and competitive drive every Monday night as he looked into the cameras before ABC's Monday Night Football and roared, "Are You Ready for some Football-" Those words not only won him a legion of new fans during the last decade, they also earned Williams the distinction of being the first country artist ever to win an Emmy, a feat he repeated 1990 through 1993.

Randall Hank was born May 26, 1949, one month before his legendary father made his landmark first appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. His father nicknamed him "Bocephus" after the ventriloquist dummy used by country comedian Rod Brasfield. He was only three when his father died in 1952. Eight years later, his mother was coaxing him on stage to sing his daddy's songs, urging him to continue the legacy.

He made his debut on the Opry at 11 and by the time he was 14, was in the studio recording his debut album. At a recent show at the Country Music Hall of Fame during the annual Country Radio Seminar, Williams mesmerized the industry with his legendary hits, witty stage banter, and unparalleled stage presence. Artists in the audience who cut their teeth on his music included Rhett Atkins, Tracy Byrd, Mark Wills, Kix Brooks and Collin Raye.