Butch Hancock is most often described as Dylanesque. The comparison is apt. His lyrics are meaningful and memorable, his delivery uses some of the gliding style of Dylan, and he plays both harmonica and guitar to accompany himself. Unlike Bob Dylan, however, Butch Hancock has often recorded albums in a rather impromptu way and hasn't always had good distribution of his albums. Eats Away the Night is his best produced album to date, and shows what this underappreciated songwriter can be in favorable circumstances. Rolling Stone magazine described him as "a raspy-voiced West Texas mystic with an equal affinity for romantic border balladry and Zen paradox."

Along with Lubbock bred childhood pals Joe Ely and Jimmie Dale Gilmore, Butch Hancock has also been active in their group work as The Flatlanders.

Own and Own, released in '91, contains his "If I Were a Bluebird" made popular by Emmylou Harris. His songs have also been recorded by Willie Nelson and Jerry Jeff Walker. He and buddies Ely and Gilmore have also all recorded each other songs and played on each other's albums.

Own the Way Over Here is considered by some to be his best album. It is a collection and showcase of some of his best songs. Like many other musicians in Austin in the 70s and 80s, Hancock acknowledges Townes Van Zandt as an influence on his work.

Musician is not the only hat Butch Hancock wears. He has a degree in architecture, and is active in leading rafting and adventure tours in Big Bend that feature nightly concerts. He also organizes some very popular New Year's Eve concert/parties in Veracruz, Mexico.