Hank Williams Jr. lost his wife unexpectedly, but it does not mean his world should stop spinning now.
Williams received the most heartbreaking news yet when his wife, Mary Jane Thomas, unexpectedly died this week. While her cause of death is yet to be released, Williams keeps himself together as he works on a new project in his career.
Billboard confirmed that the country singer partnered with The Black Keys member Dan Auerbach to produce a blues-inspired album on June 17.
With the help of Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label, the duo will release "Rich White Honky Blues." It will reportedly feature a mix of original tracks and cover of songs by Muddy Waters, Lightnin' Hopkins, Robert Johnson, and R.L Burnside.
Williams and Auerbach also aim to pay tribute to the musicians, including Rufus "Tee-Tot" Payne, who taught Williams' father, Hank Williams Sr., how to play guitar in Alabama.
"The blues is where it all comes from. It's the start of everything musical in my family; everything starts with Tee-Tot and flows from there. I've always flirted with this stripped back blues - all the way back to the '80s. But I finally made an album that's just that, and I like it," Williams said.
Meanwhile, Auerbach recalled the first time he saw Williams' on TV, saying that it helped him become a piece of who the singer is.
Last year, Williams officially became a second-generation Country Music Hall of Fame member.
Hank Williams Jr. Also Dealing With Pain
Williams reportedly considered delaying the announcement of his new album due to his wife's death. However, he realized that his music would surely offer comfort and solace amid hard times.
For what it's worth, it was confirmed that Thomas, 58 (others stated she was 61), was rushed to a local hospital from the Jupiter Beach Resort and Spa around 5:00 p.m. However, she was later pronounced dead.
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Daily Mail reported that the resort where she came from is now "closed until further notice."
While her cause of death remains unknown, the authorities said that her death does not seem to be suspicious. They also noted that she seemingly suffered a complication - a blood clot - following a medical procedure.
Williams and Thomas first met in 1985 during the country singer's concert in Washington State. Five years later, they tied knots and welcomed two children - Kate and Samuel Williams.
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