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Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Hummingbird brings famous Unknown Hinson to Macon

The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom is hosting Unknown Hinson, the infamous psychobilly country and western-tinged musician. Having first gained popularity on a self-produced TV show in the early ’90s, Unknown Hinson’s Web site proudly proclaims he “isn’t just for the trailer park set anymore!”

Melding a particularly twangy style with fast-paced and upbeat guitar rifts, Unknown Hinson has gained notoriety almost as quickly as he’s gained fame. Unknown Hinson (in reality, the alter-ego of Stuart Daniel Baker, famous in his own right as the voice of lead character “Early Cuyler” in the popular Cartoon Network show “Squidbillies”) is a dark parody of the country western stars from days past. Wearing glued on sideburns, blacked-out front teeth and dark hair slicked back to reveal a prominent widows peak, he has been referred to as the “hillbilly vampire.”

The self-proclaimed “king of country-western troubadours” speaks and sings with a pronounced Southern drawl and mispronounces words for comedic affect. According to his own version of his history, Hinson was an only child, named after his father — “says right there on my birth certificate — Mama: Miss Hinson. Daddy: Unknown.” — and raised by his mother, who gave him his first guitar. After his mother’s mysterious disappearance, Hinson ran off and joined the circus as part of the sideshow, where he learned how to lift 50-pound weights with his tongue, among various other skills.

Tongue-in-cheek, Hinson finishes his fictional biography with a tale of woe. “Later, Hinson was imprisoned for 30 years, convicted of various trumped-up charges, including three counts of murder, 19 paternity suits, vampirism and random grave-robbing offenses. He was released in 1993 to reclaim his long-denied musical legacy.”

With unpredictable behavior ranging from singing and ventriloquism, to Hula-Hoop contests, target practice, monster sideburns and hellacious guitar solos, Unknown Hinson fulfills his dream of entertaining crowds. He’s toured with the Rev. Horton Heat, and even mega stars like Billy Bob Thornton, Tom Petty and The Rolling Stones “dig his sound.”

Baker, a music teacher and studio musician from North Carolina, created his alter-ego for “The Wild Wild South,” a TV show that featured comedy sketches and concert footage. Baker and co-star Don Swan played the characters of Unknown Hinson and Rebel Helms. After Swan’s death in 1994, Baker created “The Unknown Hinson Show,” a direct spin-off of “The Wild Wild South.” The latter won Creative Loafing’s “Best Of” poll for Best Public-Access Television Show four years in a row.

With a reputation for wanting to please his fans, Unknown Hinson’s is not a show to be missed.

Today

What: Unknown Hinson in concert

When: 9 p.m.

Where: The Hummingbird Stage and Taproom, 430 Cherry St.

Phone: 741-9130

Cost: $5