AceShowbiz - Adam Mac, a queer country singer from Russellville, Kentucky, recently incorporated a cover of Hank Williams Jr.'s 1980 track "Dinosaur" into his live performances, notably during a concert at Nashville's Eighth Room celebrating his album Southern Spectacle.

The song "Dinosaur," originally from Williams’ album Habits Old and New, carries lyrics that reflect a traditional and heteronormative view of masculinity. It includes a line expressing discomfort with gay musicians: "Gay guitar-pickers don't turn me on," a phrase rooted in homophobia that clashes with Mac’s identity.

Mac has long admired the song since childhood, recalling that he once found its lyrics humorous without fully recognizing their problematic nature. As an adult and openly queer artist, he chose to reclaim the song by altering those specific lyrics to better align with his experience and community.

In his live versions and online posts, Mac sings, "Gay guitar pickers kinda turn me on," replacing the original rejection with affirmation. He also updates a verse that originally disparaged disco icon Donna Summer, changing it to "We can all get down with Donna Summer," broadening the song’s inclusivity.

Discussing these changes on the Nashville Now podcast by Rolling Stone, Mac said, "I reclaimed 'Dinosaur' for my community because, in my comments, my biggest pushback that I receive from the haters is 'Hank didn't do it this way' or 'Hank wouldn't have done it this way,' and 'Gay guitar pickers don't turn me on,' which is a line from the song."

He described his cover as a "clapback moment," a deliberate update to bring the song into the present day, 2026, challenging outdated perspectives. Mac acknowledged that these changes have upset some listeners who prefer the original lyrics.

By embracing and transforming "Dinosaur," Adam Mac uses his platform to highlight the evolving landscape of country music, where queer voices are increasingly visible and assertive. His adaptation reflects a broader conversation within the genre about inclusion, identity, and challenging old norms.

This act of musical reclamation not only honors a classic country tune but also pushes back against exclusionary attitudes, inviting fans and fellow artists alike to reconsider the messages embedded in beloved songs from past eras.

This article is based on reporting originally published by Rolling Stone.