Country star Riley Green recently delighted fans by sharing a heartfelt cover of a classic Hank Williams song. Known for giving fans a peek into his life through social media, Green’s latest post shows him honoring the legendary Alabama musician with his own twist on “(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle.”
Originally written by Hank Williams and Jimmie Davis in 1951, the song became Williams’ fourteenth consecutive top-ten hit. Fans remember it for the iconic train-whistle sound Hank mimicked when singing the word “lonesome”—a trick that later inspired Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues.” Cash even recorded the tune a few years later for his album Johnny Cash with His Hot and Blue Guitar!
Riley, 36, has long been praised for keeping classic country sounds alive. Drawing inspiration from icons like Merle Haggard, George Jones, and even lessons from his “grandaddy,” he brings a modern touch to traditional country tunes.
Ahead of his show at the Hard Rock Cafe in Hollywood, Florida, Riley recorded a simple, stripped-down version of the song with just his acoustic guitar. His voice perfectly captured the spirit of the original, including the signature “lonesome” whistle. Keeping it short and sweet, he captioned the post simply: “Hank.”
Fans can watch Riley Green’s stirring rendition of “(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle” in the video below and experience a fresh yet faithful take on a country classic.
@rileyduckman Hank. #acousticcovers #countrymusic #hankwilliams #rileygreen #lonesomewhistle
