Unknown Hinson Preview

Unknown Hinson
Stage 83, Lemont
Friday, December 15, 2006

Trying to think of a schtick for your musical act? Some novelty to catch people’s eyes and ears? Might as well forget about backwoods-hillbilly-vampire-1950s country and western singer, ’cause Unknown Hinson already has the market cornered.

Always photographed with a fancy black suit, a head of slicked back hair, and a pistol in one hand with a guitar in the other, Unknown Hinson has certainly found his niche. In real life, Hinson is Danny Baker, somewhat of a regular Joe from Charlotte, North Carolina who splits his time between studio musician and music teacher. A far cry from his alter ego, Unknown Hinson, who left home when he was only 14 and got his start show business start with a traveling carnival. The crowds loved his country and western tunes so much he was sure to be one of the greatest C&W singers of all time until “the pioneers of country music” became frightened and framed him for numerous crimes for which he served 30 years in prison.

Makes for a much more interesting publicity bio than “music teacher,” doesn’t it? Billy Bob Thornton, Tim Robbins, Tom Petty, and Hank III (who even has a Hinson portrait tattoo on his bicep!) must think so because they all consider themselves Hinson fans. The singer-songwriter even enjoyed a stretch in the big leagues, releasing two efforts, The Future Is Unknown and Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Straight From Hell, on Capitol Records. His most recent record, Target Practice, was released in May on Coffin Records.

— Trevor Fisher

Click here for streaming samples of Unknown Hinson.

Category: Stage Buzz, Weekly