Pity the Poor Bastards who have to open for this one-man show

When someone named Hank Williams performs, you know you're going to get something special.

Hank Williams III - son of current country rebel Hank Jr. and grandson of the legendary Hank Williams - won't disappoint at Crossroads on Tuesday night.

During an expected 3 1/2 hour performance, Williams will have a set of songs that are basic country like his granddad's and father's, another set with Tennessee Hellbilly Hank, some faster country, and finally with Assjack, a rock/punk band. During those three groups of songs, different musicians come and go on stage while Williams stays firmly anchored.

If that's not enough diverse music, Those Poor Bastards open the show.

"Those Poor Bastards are the best gothic country I have heard yet to this day," according to Williams. Their Web site says, "Those Poor Bastards play miserable and primitive old-time gothic country music. Lonesome Wyatt (guitar, vocals) and The Minister (banjo, bass, etc.) are both legally certified holiness preachers."

Gothic country? Who knew?

The late Hank Williams Sr. and his son, Hank Jr., have reputations as hell-raisers - on and off stage - as well as great musicians and rebels against the system and music business.

So, like granddaddy, like daddy, like son.

Sort of.

Williams pays respect to his country roots, but throws in some punk, rock and metal influences.

He starts his shows with hard-core country music, paying tribute to legends such as his grandfather, who died mysteriously in the back of a Cadillac in 1953 at age 29. He then mixes country with rock in a set he calls "Hellbilly."

The audience hears the traditional stand-up bass, fiddle and stand-up steel guitar, but Williams' electric guitar and screams add a different dimension.

He ends with Assjack, the death-metal band that released its first album in August.