Make Bocephus Proud
The Story Behind the Song
“Make Bocephus Proud” is more than a tribute to the music I grew up listening to. It’s about the memories, attitude, and love of country music that came with it.
Growing up, Hank Williams Jr. was part of the soundtrack of my life. My dad played Hank, and I learned those songs riding around with the windows down, singing along and soaking up that unmistakable mix of country, Southern rock, and outlaw attitude. There was something about that music that felt honest. It was loud, unapologetic, and never seemed interested in pretending to be anything it wasn’t.
And, of course, there was Monday Night Football.
For years, hearing Hank kick off Monday night became almost as much a part of the experience as the game itself. Friends would come over, the television would be on, and when that familiar voice and Southern-rock sound came blasting through the speakers, you knew Monday Night Football had arrived. Those moments became part of the inspiration behind the line:
“Monday night football, friends came ’round,
Waitin’ on Hank, and that outlaw sound.”
But I didn’t want “Make Bocephus Proud” to simply be a song about being a Hank Williams Jr. fan.
At its heart, the song is about influence without imitation.
That is why one of the most important lines in the song is:
“I ain’t here to fill no boots,
I play it loud and tell the truth.”
Nobody can fill Hank Williams Jr.’s boots—and the song isn’t trying to. Instead, it’s about carrying forward the things his music represented to me: saying what you mean, believing in what you sing, turning the guitars up, and having the courage to make music your own way.
The chorus brings all of those memories together. I grew up loving Bocephus and cranking Hank whenever I got the chance. Decades later, when I sit down to write a song, some of that same rebel spirit is still there.
That’s where the title came from.
As a songwriter, I’m not trying to become the next Hank Williams Jr. I just want to write songs I believe in, put my heart into them, turn those guitars up hard and strong, and keep a little of that outlaw-country fire burning.
And if I can do that…
Maybe someday, I’ll make Bocephus proud.
Written by
William A. Guerro Sr. &
William A. Guerro Jr.
Original Composition & Demo Notice: “Ella’s Fella” is an original composition written by William A. Guerro Sr. and William A. Guerro Jr. The lyrics, vocal melody, and musical score and arrangement were written and composed by us. The audio recording presented here is a songwriter demonstration recording only, created to showcase our original composition for evaluation by recording artists, producers, publishers, and other music-industry professionals. The demo recording is not intended to represent a finished commercial master recording.
Song Synopsis —
Make Bocephus Proud
“Make Bocephus Proud” is a hard-driving country-rock anthem inspired by a lifetime of listening to Hank Williams Jr. From childhood memories of riding with Dad while Hank played loud, to friends gathering around the television waiting to hear that unmistakable outlaw sound on Monday Night Football, the song celebrates the music and attitude that helped shape a songwriter.
Rather than trying to imitate a legend, “Make Bocephus Proud” is about carrying forward the spirit behind the music—playing it loud, telling the truth, staying true to yourself, and putting your heart into every song. Fueled by Southern-rock guitars, country roots, and a little rebel fire, it delivers a simple hope from one generation of songwriters to another:
If that outlaw spirit still burns this loud, maybe someday I’ll Make Bocephus Proud.
Written by William A. Guerro Sr. & William A. Guerro Jr.
Interested in recording “Make Bocephus Proud“?
Contact Guerro Songs to discuss licensing, demo requests, or recording opportunities for this original country song.