Country/swing singer Wayne “The Train” Hancock pays another visit to St. Louis this Monday night at the Beale on Broadway.

Here’s an interview from a few months back.

The Post and Courier (Charleston, SC)

August 30, 2007

Hancock revisits the sounds of country music legends

By KEVIN YOUNG, Special to The Post and Courier

“I’m back home again, the road is my wife. I love my life,” Wayne “The Train” Hancock lazily exclaims during “Highway Bound,” a track from his latest album, “Tulsa.”

Hancock, a country musician whose work harkens to the bygone era of Hank Williams Sr., Vassar Clements and Jimmie Rodgers, was preparing to hit the road again.

A staple in the music scene since his debut album, “Thunderstorms And Neon Signs,” Hancock is known for his devotion to recreating the sound of yesterday’s big band influenced country while injecting his own style and humor into the mix.

Preview: Hey, Wayne. How are you doing?

Hancock: Doggone good. The first day of the tour is here and we’re just getting everything together. We got Birmingham, New Orleans, Atlanta, and we see you guys later this week. So far, everything’s been good.

Preview: Since your first album, “Thunderstorms And Neon Signs,” came out back in 1995, what’s changed most for your sound?

Hancock: You know, everything that I set out to do when I started playing out. You know, that was 14 years ago? I was still wet behind the ears and I had a lot of ideas of what I wanted to do and the kind of approach I wanted to take to music. I really haven’t changed my approach, because I’m making the kind of music I want to make. So, I guess the short answer is “same as it ever was.”

Preview: What’s next after the tour?

Hancock: We’re gonna head out west to do some private parties, actually.

Preview: What’s that like?

Hancock: Not too different from a regular show. It’s just that nine-tenths of them are usually at somebody’s house, so everything’s a lot more laid back and you get to know people better.

Preview: A few years back, the space shuttle Columbia took your song with them on one of the ship’s missions. What was that about?

Hancock: I think it was 1998 or 1999. It’s been awhile. But anyway, the space shuttle Columbia used my song “That’s What Daddy Wants” as their wake up song, because of the bugle call that we have in the song. I’ve always thought that was kinda’ cool.

Preview: When did you realize you wanted to become a career musician?

Hancock: When I realized I was never gonna’ make it as a mathematician (laughs). You know, I think I’ve always wanted to do this. I remember picking up a guitar. Then for a while I was a Marine for a few years, but it’s always been music that’s called me.

Preview: Anything that you’re getting into musically?

Hancock: Same as it ever was. I still like hillbilly jazz and big band stuff. You know, most of the music I listen to is by people who were dead before I was even born, but I just think that music is fun.