Jake Penrod is a dedicated traditionalist who embodies the essence of Country music. He affectionately describes his singing style as resembling the “love child of Hank Williams and Kitty Wells,” a characterization that resonates with those familiar with his work. His primary musical influence is Hank Williams Sr., but his album “Closer To Me” showcases a diverse range of inspirations, including the Honky Tonk sounds of Lefty Frizzell, Hank Thompson, Ray Price, and poignant ballads reminiscent of Conway Twitty. Penrod credits his father, Jack Penrod, for instilling his passion for music, recalling that a television advertisement for a Hank Williams gospel album ignited his interest. He expresses gratitude for his parents’ unwavering support; his mother transported him to gigs, while his father introduced him to his first guitar.
In 2005, Penrod became a member of the Gladewater, Texas, Opry cast, performing at various opry venues throughout the state. His striking resemblance to the King of Country Music set him apart. His participation in memorial events at the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama, helped him gain recognition beyond his hometown of Brownsboro in East Texas. At the museum's New Year’s Eve Celebration commemorating Hank’s death, he met David Church, a prominent tribute artist. In 2007, Church informed him of a theater in Buffalo, NY, producing “Hank Williams: Lost Highway,” which needed someone to portray Hank. After submitting a CD and photos, Penrod received a call the following day offering him the role, sight unseen, for a production over 1600 miles from home.
Since then, Jake has performed as Hank Williams in numerous tribute shows at venues like the Gladewater Opry, Texas Star Opry, and the Louisiana Jamboree in Shreveport, LA. His performances have drawn praise from audiences, some of whom have expressed deep emotional responses. One particularly memorable compliment came from an audience member who described experiencing “duck knots,” a sensation Jake explained as “bigger than goose bumps and take longer to go away.”
In 2009, after extensive research through five biographies and multiple documentaries, Jake authored “Hank Williams Remembered,” a tribute that features his narration and singing of 22 classic Hank Williams songs. He currently tours the country with his ensemble, the “Honky Tonk Cowboys,” which includes former members of Hank Thompson’s Brazos Valley Boys and Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys. Jake remarks on the honor of performing alongside these musicians, many of whom have been part of the genre since its inception.
Beyond his tribute to Hank Williams, Jake Penrod is a multifaceted entertainer. He occasionally astounds audiences with a near-operatic vocal range and enjoys performing songs by artists like Ray Price, Johnny Bush, and Faron Young, in addition to his original compositions. A prolific songwriter, he has penned over 100 country songs, several steel guitar instrumentals, and two military marches, a passion cultivated during his high school and college band experiences. He is proficient in fourteen instruments, including piano, organ, trumpet, guitar, harmonica, fiddle, mandolin, lap steel, pedal steel, ukulele, accordion, banjo, bagpipes, and bass, showcasing his musical dedication through a collection of several hundred records featuring both well-known and obscure artists.
Penrod has shared the stage with numerous esteemed entertainers, including Ray Price, Tony Douglas, Narvel Felts, Moe Bandy, Little David Wilkins, Tony Booth, Jody Nix, Leona Williams, Jake Hooker, Bobby Flores, Heather Myles, Johnny Bush, George Hamilton IV, Frankie Miller, Miss Norma Jean, Darrell McCall, and Curtis Potter. His television appearances include RFDTV’s “TruCountry,” “Texas County Line,” and a weekly role on RuralTV’s “Texas Pickin’ Party,” where he serves as a vocalist and steel guitar player for the band.
