Aaron Tippin, T.G. Sheppard Headline Hank Williams Festival

Hank Williams would've been proud. His hometown folks sang some of his songs and had a good ol' time - all in his name.

The Hank Williams Festival in Georgiana, Alabama kicked off Friday for two days (June 6-7) of celebration in memory of the country music icon who transformed the genre. This year's festival featured performances from Aaron Tippin, T.G. Sheppard, and Shenandoah.

Hosted by the Hank Williams Sr. Boyhood Home and Museum, this yearly gathering celebrates the musical heritage of the iconic singer who is a member of both the Country Music and Rock 'n' Roll Halls of Fame. Fans came to hear some country music, meet a couple of his former band members, and honor his belatedly recognized daughter - Jett Williams - who continues the family tradition.

Attendees got plenty of country music. Festival headliner Aaron Tippin closed the weekend with a rousing rendition of "Kiss This," a song that may be penultimate example of relationship termination. Although this was his first trip to Georgiana, he seemed comfortable with the local crowd - particularly when singing his most popular hits - "Ain't Nothin' Wrong with the Radio," "You've Got to Stand for Something," "Ready to Rock" and the patriotic "Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly."

He also endeared himself to the local Toys for Tots charity by assembling a child's bike on stage ("In less than three minutes," he noted, "not bad for an old man") and donating it to the charity as the first toy for its 2008 Christmas drive ("It's not really Christmas unless every child has a toy," he said).

The other big name on the final day was T. G. Sheppard, a fan favorite who has performed several time at the festival - most recently two years ago. He first hit the charts in 1974 with "Devil in a Bottle," a song about self-destructive drinking, but that's hardly the typical T. G. Sheppard tune. The common theme in most of his hits is seduction, with the singer either seducing ("Somewhere Down the Line"), being seduced ("War Is Hell on the Homefront"), recalling his conquests ("I Loved Them Every One"), or celebrating one ("Finally"). From every angle, the woman was always placed on a pedestal ("Only One You"). It was a formula that paid off with a string of hit and a loyal female fan base in the late 1970s and early 1980s.

Sheppard's voice is as strong as ever, and years of experience have taught him how to play to an audience. That included leaving the stage and strolling through the crowd - hugging adoring women fans - for two numbers. The only time the show dragged was when he sang two songs from his latest CD "Timeless," a compilation of love songs from the 1940s and 50s (e.g, "It Had to Be You.").

The big draw Friday night was Shenandoah, but that was a disappointment. The band lost some of its focus after the departure of lead singer Marty Raybon in 1999. Raybon was eventually replaced by songwriter Curtis Wright, who was promoted as the lead singer for the group's appearance.. Instead, another songsmith - Jim Ewing - was at the mike. Ewing is a capable lead singer, but this assemblage never quite got the feel of the original band. It sounded more like a house band doing covers of Shenandoah hits - a very talented house band, but a house band nonetheless.

Elaine Petty, a veteran of the honky tonks of Orange Beach and South Alabama., opened on Friday night for Shenandoah. Petty is a talented guitarist and songwriter with a strong voice, but she needs to work on her phrasing if she hopes to hit it big. Her closing number, the self-penned "I Must of Been a Juke Box (in My Last Life)" could be a hit for the right performer, as it recounts the life of a bar performer who sings requests for tips, having to know every song requested.

Fans who persevered through both days also saw performances by festival regulars Brad Magness, Mary McDonald, and Colon Leatherwood. Two new acts included local singer Kevin Sport and The Springs, a teenage band from South Alabama promoting their CD "Teens on a Mission," and

Jett "Cathy Yvonne" Williams, a regular at the festival that honors her father, also made her annual appearance. Two former members of Hank's band, The Driftin' Cowobys - Pee Wee Moultrie and Clent Holmes -- were also on hand to sign autographs.