We previously reported that the legendary former Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson had passed away back in May. Now, Phil’s sons are speaking out to reveal why he banned country music in their home growing up.
Phil’s Country Music Ban
During the latest episode of their podcast “Unashamed with the Robertson Family,” Phil’s sons Jase and Al revealed that their father had a rule against country music in his home.
“Well, my dad had all these rules, you know, don’t, don’t shave, don’t mow the grass,” Jase began. “But one of the rules, Al you remember this, we couldn’t listen to country music. It wasn’t like a rule. It was just like, that’s just stupid.”
Al chimed in to explain that country music “was frowned upon” in their home. He added that Phil simply didn’t like the genre, as “he was like a classic rock guy.”
“I went country to be rebellious,” Al joked, going on to acknowledge that his father “hated it.”
This caused country music to become a blindspot for the Robertson brothers. Indeed, when interviewing the country music star Larry Fleet on this week’s podcast episode, Jase admitted that his own son was shocked that his dad had never heard of him until the night before.
Phil Slams Hank Williams Jr. Song
Jase went on to remember hearing Hank Williams Jr.’s song “A Country Boy Can Survive” for the first time. When he heard it, he thought to himself, “Well, my dad’s gotta love this.” Al agreed, saying that the song is basically “an anthem for our life.”
“I walked in there nervously, ’cause my dad is just so intimidating,” Jase recounted. “And I said, ‘I want you to hear this song.’ What I didn’t factor in is the first time a four little word came out in the song.
“I just never thought about it ‘cause I thought, ’Well, those words are in the Bible.’ Hell and damn, you know,” he continued. “My dad said, ‘Turn that off.’ So, we were that close. We had him.”
Phil Passes Away
Phil sadly died in May of 2025 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. He was 79 years-old at the time of his passing.
Phil’s death was announced by his daughter-in-law Korie Robertson, the wife of his son Willie.
“We celebrate today that our father, husband, and grandfather, Phil Robertson, is now with the Lord,” Korie wrote on Instagram at the time. “He reminded us often of the words of Paul, ‘you do not grieve like those who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”
“Thank you for the love and prayers of so many whose lives have been impacted by his life saved by grace, his bold faith, and by his desire to tell everyone who would listen the Good News of Jesus,” Korie added. “We are grateful for his life on earth and will continue the legacy of love for God and love for others until we see him again.”
Given how country Phil was, it will likely come as a surprise to many that he despised country music. His reasoning behind banning country music in his house, however, sums up Phil Robertson perfectly.
In the end, this just makes us miss Phil even more. Bless you, Phil Robertson, and may God rest your soul!