Southern Rock: Growing up Hatchet, Aaron Hlubek
Many of us have daydreamed what it would be like to be a rock star. But have we ever wondered what it would be like to be the child of a rock star? I had the opportunity to sit down with Aaron Hlubek, youngest son of the Molly Hatchet icon, Dave Hlubek, and ask him that very question. Aaron was born at St. Vincent's in 1980, a year after Flirting with Disaster was released, propelling his father into stardom.
GD: I know that you are local, live and work in Jacksonville, but where were you born? Where did you grow up?
AH: Jacksonville, Florida at Saint Vincents/Riverside... The Southside and Arlington area.
GD: What was it like to be in elementary school and have a rock legend for a father? How old were you when you realized your family was different than most?
AH: Not too bad for me, my older brother Kyle caught most the hell for it. Meaning most people are going to probably think it was all glitz and glamour, not the case though.
Different? not at all, more fortunate than most? Probably the late 80's for me.
GD: What is the most important life lesson that you learned from your father?
AH: That He taught me? Sad to say but nothing really. Life lesson that I have have learned on my own, would be, nothing is worth the cost of your family.
GD: What is the most important life lesson that you learned from your mother?
AH: I don't believe the paper has enough ink and paper for me to answer that question. I will try and sum it up though. My Ma has a quote that she has told me before that has always stuck, "There is two facts in life son, the sun will rise and the sun will set and tomorrows a new day." That has rang so true in so many cases in my life.
GD: You mentioned that your house was filled with musicians during your childhood Who was your favorite house guest and why?
AH: I'd have to say, Riff West, not only is he a great musician, he is great person who was always helping out my Ma' with odds and ends around the house, whenever he could.
GD: As a child, was it difficult growing up under your father's shadow? Is it difficult today?
AH: Not so much difficult as it was and is always hearing people talk to me about my dad and he did this and he did that or he owes me this kinda thing. I'm like people get over it and get a life if that's all you have to hold on to to be able to say you know my dad. That's goes for family and friends and the people who think they know him.
GD: I loved the story you told about your dad coming to get you from school and taking you to Daytona. Could you elaborate on this a bit and perhaps the school being upset with the limo?
AH: It was just something dad did when he was in town. He wanted to see his boys, so he would get us out of class, which means, he would walk TO our classroom, and ask us if we were ready to go, instead of going to the front office, saying he was there to check us out, like all the "normal" parents did. So from there, we'd get in the 'Vette, he would ask us if we were ready, and we would blast all the way to Daytona. Dad just wanted to see how fast we could get to Daytona and back, because Ma' would often times tell Lloyd's Corvettes to tune the 'Vette down a little bit--but they wouldn't. So dad, being dad, would see what new they had done, to see how fast we could go. This was all done without my mom even knowing!
As far as the school calling my parents about bringing us to school in the Rolls Royce, (not limo) was said to them, that it wasn't a good idea, bringing us to school in that vehicle, because maybe the other kids felt less fortunate, and the faculty didn't want me and my brother to be targeted for bullying. So, my dad decided he would oblige, and take us to school in the 63 Split Window 24-karat gold Corvette, instead. Basically, just to be a smart ass, which bothered me and my brother none.
GD: What wish do you have for your father today? For your mother?
AH: I wish dad happiness and health and to do whatever makes him the happiest, Hatchet or not. And that he IS MORE than Molly Hatchet, he is an icon that can go anywhere and do anything. And for him to know that I do love him. He's Dave Hlubek/Mr. Molly Hatchet to everyone else but he's my dad. And I would do anything for him within my power.
My Ma', now that's one of the five most precious people in my life, I wish her all of Gods glory and what he has planned for her, I wish her happiness everlasting, love from a man that knows she is a phenomenal woman. All recognition for doing what shes done in raising us two men (my brother and I) which she deserves a medal for. And most women should pray and thrive to try and come close to the woman/mother she is. She has always seen the good in me, spite what people/society might think and has always had an ear to hear me and the right thing to always say and not to say so I could grow up trial and error. Thank you Ma', I love you and will eternally be grateful for God making you my mother.
Aaron is pure Jacksonville, born here, lives here, works here. The lessons he has learned are the ones taught by southern rock music itself, (in one way or another) be loyal, love your mama,and cherish your family. Ask him about it, he'll tell you.
You can find Aaron hanging out on Main Street for the monthly cruise – 4th Saturday each month – along with many other interesting people. And sometimes, with his dad.
Interview by Gloria DeVall
AH: Jacksonville, Florida at Saint Vincents/Riverside... The Southside and Arlington area.
GD: What was it like to be in elementary school and have a rock legend for a father? How old were you when you realized your family was different than most?
AH: Not too bad for me, my older brother Kyle caught most the hell for it. Meaning most people are going to probably think it was all glitz and glamour, not the case though.
Different? not at all, more fortunate than most? Probably the late 80's for me.
GD: What is the most important life lesson that you learned from your father?
AH: That He taught me? Sad to say but nothing really. Life lesson that I have have learned on my own, would be, nothing is worth the cost of your family.
GD: What is the most important life lesson that you learned from your mother?
AH: I don't believe the paper has enough ink and paper for me to answer that question. I will try and sum it up though. My Ma has a quote that she has told me before that has always stuck, "There is two facts in life son, the sun will rise and the sun will set and tomorrows a new day." That has rang so true in so many cases in my life.
GD: You mentioned that your house was filled with musicians during your childhood Who was your favorite house guest and why?
AH: I'd have to say, Riff West, not only is he a great musician, he is great person who was always helping out my Ma' with odds and ends around the house, whenever he could.
GD: As a child, was it difficult growing up under your father's shadow? Is it difficult today?
AH: Not so much difficult as it was and is always hearing people talk to me about my dad and he did this and he did that or he owes me this kinda thing. I'm like people get over it and get a life if that's all you have to hold on to to be able to say you know my dad. That's goes for family and friends and the people who think they know him.
GD: I loved the story you told about your dad coming to get you from school and taking you to Daytona. Could you elaborate on this a bit and perhaps the school being upset with the limo?
AH: It was just something dad did when he was in town. He wanted to see his boys, so he would get us out of class, which means, he would walk TO our classroom, and ask us if we were ready to go, instead of going to the front office, saying he was there to check us out, like all the "normal" parents did. So from there, we'd get in the 'Vette, he would ask us if we were ready, and we would blast all the way to Daytona. Dad just wanted to see how fast we could get to Daytona and back, because Ma' would often times tell Lloyd's Corvettes to tune the 'Vette down a little bit--but they wouldn't. So dad, being dad, would see what new they had done, to see how fast we could go. This was all done without my mom even knowing!
As far as the school calling my parents about bringing us to school in the Rolls Royce, (not limo) was said to them, that it wasn't a good idea, bringing us to school in that vehicle, because maybe the other kids felt less fortunate, and the faculty didn't want me and my brother to be targeted for bullying. So, my dad decided he would oblige, and take us to school in the 63 Split Window 24-karat gold Corvette, instead. Basically, just to be a smart ass, which bothered me and my brother none.
GD: What wish do you have for your father today? For your mother?
AH: I wish dad happiness and health and to do whatever makes him the happiest, Hatchet or not. And that he IS MORE than Molly Hatchet, he is an icon that can go anywhere and do anything. And for him to know that I do love him. He's Dave Hlubek/Mr. Molly Hatchet to everyone else but he's my dad. And I would do anything for him within my power.
My Ma', now that's one of the five most precious people in my life, I wish her all of Gods glory and what he has planned for her, I wish her happiness everlasting, love from a man that knows she is a phenomenal woman. All recognition for doing what shes done in raising us two men (my brother and I) which she deserves a medal for. And most women should pray and thrive to try and come close to the woman/mother she is. She has always seen the good in me, spite what people/society might think and has always had an ear to hear me and the right thing to always say and not to say so I could grow up trial and error. Thank you Ma', I love you and will eternally be grateful for God making you my mother.
Aaron is pure Jacksonville, born here, lives here, works here. The lessons he has learned are the ones taught by southern rock music itself, (in one way or another) be loyal, love your mama,and cherish your family. Ask him about it, he'll tell you.
You can find Aaron hanging out on Main Street for the monthly cruise – 4th Saturday each month – along with many other interesting people. And sometimes, with his dad.
Interview by Gloria DeVall