"I finally got to do it predominantly my way," he says. "I got to produce it and record it myself. It took Curb two years to do the first album, and they hired their big producer. We did my album $100,000 cheaper, and it only took two weeks. It makes you feel more like you're doing what you're supposed to do and not like a puppet. I'm here to be kind of creative and not to be told what to do."
With the release of Lovesick, Hank III is readying himself for his busiest year yet. Beyond touring in support of his latest, he has contributed a cover of "Fearless Boogie" to a country-flavored ZZ Top tribute, recorded -- and may tour as bassist -- with Pantera's Phil Anselmo and his Superjoint Ritual side project, and cut a rock album (under the band name Assjack). Hank III senses that he's finally on the proper path, but he feels slightly pressured, as the odometer spins on his life and career.
"I'm just pissed because I'm already 29 now, and time is ticking away," he says. "I should have already had three rock albums and five country albums out by now."