Hank Williams Jr.

Giving you the music a day early:

Beginning with “Family Tradition” in 1979, Hank Williams Jr. became the best country musician in the world, taking over for Waylon Jennings as he struggled with drugs and Willie Nelson as he started making movies. Throughout the ’80s, Williams released one classic country tune after another: “Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound,” “All My Rowdy Friends (Have Settled Down),” “A Country Boy Can Survive,” “I’m For Love” and other gems. Then Garth Brooks and his ilk came along and killed country music with their overly polished sound, but that’s just one man’s opinion. Williams is still rowdy though and still a country superstar, and the American Freedom Foundation presents the Rowdy Friends 2010 Tour at Verizon Arena. The doors open at 6 p.m. with the show at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at the Verizon Arena Box Office for $27, $41.50, $61.50, $81.50 and $131.50, or through Ticketmaster outlets. Of note is the opener Jamey Johnson (along with openers Colt Ford, and Josh Thompson and the Grascals), an Alabama singer/songwriter and former Marine reservist whose devotion to the roots of country and the Outlaw movement might start the resurrection today’s country needs.

Memphis-based rock trio Ingram Hill released their new album, Look Your Best, Tuesday, via Rock Ridge Music, but the band has been out on the road for the last two weeks, showcasing the tunes from the album, including the first single, “As Long As I’m With You.” The band brings their road tested tunes to Juanita’s for a headlining gig, with the music at 9:30 p.m. Tickets are $12 for the all-ages show. The band — named after a misread north Mississippi road sign — released Cold in California in 2007 as the follow-up to the band’s 2004 debut, Picture Show, a mixture of pop rock and Southern rock ‘n’ roll.

Get set for an all-day fun fest at Jacksonville’s Wing Ding Festival 2010 at Dupree Park. The gates open at 9 a.m. and the festival includes a number of events for the whole family, including a petting zoo; competition events such as fishing derby and volleyball tournament; and a food court featuring hot dogs, corn dogs, barbecue, nachos, funnel cakes and more festival foods. The highlight of the day is the Chili’s of Jacksonville Chicken Wing Amateur Wing Eating Contest at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., and Chili’s of Jacksonville Chicken Wing Celebrity Wing Eating Contest at noon; and the Leader Publishing World Championship Chicken Wing Cook Off from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Music will be provided later in the day by David Byrnes and country act Joey+Rory. The best part is the event is free along with free parking.

For a different kind of festival, head over to Dickey-Stephens Park for the eighth annual LittleRocktoberfest, held from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. It’s an evening featuring some of the metro’s best home brewers coming together to show their stuff, along with live music, food and beer from New Belgium Brewing Company, Vino’s, Diamond Bear Brewing Company and Boscos. The price of admission is only $25, and includes a bratwurst dinner, samples of beer and an entry into the raffle to win a New Belgium Fat Tire Bicycle. It’s a 21-and-up only event.

Here’s Hank Williams Jr. with “A Country Boy Can Survive”: