Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Willi… Read Full Bio ↴Hank Williams (September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953), born Hiram King Williams, was an American singer-songwriter and musician regarded as one of the most important country music artists of all time. Williams recorded 35 singles (five released posthumously) that would place in the Top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, including 11 that ranked number one.
Born in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, Williams moved to Georgiana, where he met Rufus Payne, a black street performer who gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals. Payne had a major influence on Williams's later musical style. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. After moving to Montgomery, Williams began his career in 1937 when WSFA radio station producers hired him to perform and host a 15-minute program. He formed as backup the Drifting Cowboys band, which was managed by his mother, and dropped out of school to devote all of his time to his career.
When several of his band members were conscripted to military service during World War II, Williams had trouble with their replacements and started drinking heavily, causing WSFA to dismiss him. Williams eventually married Audrey Sheppard, who became his manager for nearly a decade. After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin'" with Sterling Records, he signed a contract with MGM Records. In 1948 he released "Move it on Over," which became a hit, and also joined the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In 1949, he released a cover of "Lovesick Blues," which carried him into the mainstream of music. After an initial rejection, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though he was unable to read or notate music to any significant degree. Among the hits he wrote were "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He divorced his wife and was dismissed by the Grand Ole Opry due to frequent drunkenness. Williams died suddenly in the early morning hours of New Years Day in 1953 at the age of 29. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on country music. The songs he wrote and recorded have been covered by numerous artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles.
Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 "Hank Williams Day". The first celebration, in 1954 featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl, that was later placed in the grave site of Williams. The ceremony featured Ferlin Husky interpreting "I Saw the Light".[70]
Williams had 11 number one hits in his career ("Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Moanin' the Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," "Kaw-Liga," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Take These Chains from My Heart"), as well as many other top ten hits.[71]
In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1987, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Early Influence. He was ranked second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003, behind only Johnny Cash. His son, Hank Jr., was ranked on the same list. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked him number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The website Acclaimedmusic, which collates recommendations of albums and recording artists, has a year-by-year recommendation for top artists. Hank Williams is ranked first for the decade 1940–1949 for his song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Many rock and roll pioneers of the 1950s, such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded Williams songs early in their careers.
Born in Mount Olive, Butler County, Alabama, Williams moved to Georgiana, where he met Rufus Payne, a black street performer who gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals. Payne had a major influence on Williams's later musical style. During this time, Williams informally changed his name to Hank, believing it to be a better name for country music. After moving to Montgomery, Williams began his career in 1937 when WSFA radio station producers hired him to perform and host a 15-minute program. He formed as backup the Drifting Cowboys band, which was managed by his mother, and dropped out of school to devote all of his time to his career.
When several of his band members were conscripted to military service during World War II, Williams had trouble with their replacements and started drinking heavily, causing WSFA to dismiss him. Williams eventually married Audrey Sheppard, who became his manager for nearly a decade. After recording "Never Again" and "Honky Tonkin'" with Sterling Records, he signed a contract with MGM Records. In 1948 he released "Move it on Over," which became a hit, and also joined the Louisiana Hayride radio program. In 1949, he released a cover of "Lovesick Blues," which carried him into the mainstream of music. After an initial rejection, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry. He had 11 number one songs between 1948 and 1953, though he was unable to read or notate music to any significant degree. Among the hits he wrote were "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."
During his last years Williams's consumption of alcohol, morphine and other painkillers severely compromised his professional and personal life. He divorced his wife and was dismissed by the Grand Ole Opry due to frequent drunkenness. Williams died suddenly in the early morning hours of New Years Day in 1953 at the age of 29. Despite his short life, Williams has had a major influence on country music. The songs he wrote and recorded have been covered by numerous artists, many of whom have also had hits with the tunes, in a range of pop, gospel, blues and rock styles.
Alabama governor Gordon Persons officially proclaimed September 21 "Hank Williams Day". The first celebration, in 1954 featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl, that was later placed in the grave site of Williams. The ceremony featured Ferlin Husky interpreting "I Saw the Light".[70]
Williams had 11 number one hits in his career ("Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Moanin' the Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)," "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive," "Kaw-Liga," "Your Cheatin' Heart," and "Take These Chains from My Heart"), as well as many other top ten hits.[71]
In 1961, Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, and he was inducted in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in 1985. In 1987, he was inducted in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the category Early Influence. He was ranked second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music in 2003, behind only Johnny Cash. His son, Hank Jr., was ranked on the same list. In 2004 Rolling Stone ranked him number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. The website Acclaimedmusic, which collates recommendations of albums and recording artists, has a year-by-year recommendation for top artists. Hank Williams is ranked first for the decade 1940–1949 for his song "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry." Many rock and roll pioneers of the 1950s, such as Elvis Presley, Bob Dylan and Jerry Lee Lewis recorded Williams songs early in their careers.
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The Unreleased Recordings
Hank Williams Lyrics
At the First Fall of Snow I talked with a stranger, so sad and forlorn His garments…
Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain In the twilight glow I see her Blue eyes crying in…
California Zephyr From the great salt lakes of Utah to California's golden…
Cherokee Boogie Well, a Cherokee chief as he dances along He does an…
Cold, Cold Heart I tried so hard my dear to show that you're…
Cool Water All day I've faced the barren waste Without the taste of…
Dear John Well when I woke up this mornin', There was a note…
Drifting Too Far from the Shore Out on the perilous deep Where dangers silently creep And …
Dust On the Bible I went into a home one day just to see…
From Jerusalem to Jericho From Jerusalem to Jericho, along that lonely road, A certai…
Gathering Flowers for the Master's Bouquet Death is an angel sent down from above sent for…
Have I Told You Lately That I Love You Have I told you lately that I love you? Have I…
Hey, Good Lookin' Say hey, good lookin' - what ya got cookin'? How's about…
I Can't Help It Today I passed you on the street and My heart fell…
I Can't Tell My Heart That I can't tell my heart, that you are no good I'd…
I Dreamed That the Great Judgement Morning I dreamed that the great judgement morning, Had dawned, and…
I Heard My Savior Calling Me I heard my Saviour calling me He saved my soul, He…
I'll Fly Away Some glad morning when this life is over I'll fly away To…
I'll Sail My Ship Alone we've been sweethearts for so long but now you say we're…
I'm Gonna Sing In this world of sorrow I've seen trouble and woe…
I'm so Lonesome I Could Cry Hear that lonesome whippoorwill He sounds too blue to fly Th…
I've Got My One-Way Ticket to the Sky When we hear ol' Gabriel's trumpet blow And we know the…
If I Didn't Love You If I didn't love you I wouldn't be lonesome And I'd…
Just When I Needed You Just when I needed you, you left and went away You…
Lonely Tombs (e) I was strollin' one day, in a lonely graveyard, When…
Low and Lonely Low and lonely, sad and blue Thinking only of little you Alw…
May You Never Be Alone Like a bird that's lost its mate in flight I'm…
Mind Your Own Business Words and music by Hank Williams, Sr. If the [D] wife…
Next Sunday Darling Is My Birthday Next Sunday, darling is my birthday A day that should be…
On the Banks of the Pontchartrain I traveled from Texas to old Louisanne Through valleys, o'er…
On Top of Old Smoky On top of old Smokie, all covered in snow, I lost…
Pictures from Life's Other Side In the world's mighty gallery of pictures Hang the scenes t…
Seaman's Blues On my way to Italy from the Gulf of Mexico…
Searching for a Soldier's Grave Somewhere here among these many thousands Of Americans who …
Softly and Tenderly Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling Calling for you and for…
Tennessee Border Her eyes were blue, her hair was auburn Her smile was…
The Blind Child's Prayer Oh father tonight they say you are, To wed another bride, Th…
The Old Country Church Old Country Church There's a place dear to me where I'm…
The Pale Horse and His Rider Listen poor sinner; you`re driftin` away From the Dear Savi…
The Prodigal Son Recorded by hank williams, sr. Words and music by jenkins […
There's Nothing as Sweet as My Baby Now I like candy and I like cake and I…
Thy Burdens Are Greater Than Mine Recorded by Hank Williams Words and music by Pee Wee King…
Wait for the Light to Shine When the road is rocky and you're carrying the load wait…
Wedding Bells I have the invitation that you sent me You wanted me…
When God Dips His Love In My Heart When God dips His pen of love in my heart And…
When the Fire Comes Down Way back in the days of mo Water covered all this…
When the Saints Go Marchin' in Oh, when the saints go marching in Well, when the saints…
Where He Leads Me Where He Leads Me I Will Follow I can hear my…
Where the Soul Never Dies To Canaan's land I'm on my way Where the soul of…
Why Should We Try Anymore (Orginally released August 1950 as M-G-M #10760) From Hank W…
You Blotted My Happy Schooldays When I entered that school room that mornin' in may, I…