Hank Williams, Sr.

One of the most enduring figures in the history of the music business, Hank Williams lived
a sad life and left this world much to early.  Hank was born Hiram King Williams in Georgiana,
Alabama on September 17, 1923.  Born in the rural farming area the son of a railroad man.
His mom taught him to sing at an early age and he was in the church chior as a young boy.

As a teenager he won $15 singing at a Montgomery amaturer contest, and shortly after formed
his Drifting Cowboy Band, which played on WSFA in Montgomery.  He learned to play the
guitar on his own and from watching an old black street musician Tee-Tot.  He would play on
street corners, or where ever he could find a gig.

In 1947, he left the Sterling Records label for th enewly formed MGM label and was booked
on KWKH Louisiana Hayride.  After joining the Hayride he had his first record on the
country hit list "Move It On Over."  In 1946, Hank got a contract with Fred Rose in Nashville.
Then in 1949, Hank made his debut on the OPRY.  That same year he had great success
with "Love Sick Blues."  He began to cut hits regularly with the help of Fred Rose.  Some of
the hits were  "Wedding Belles, "Mind Your Own Business," "You're Gonna Change, and
"My Bucket's Got a Hole In It,"  "Jambalaya,"  "Honky Tonk Blues,"  "Tear in My Beer,"
"Baby We're Really In Love," and "Honky Tonkin'."

Tony Bennett's version of "Cold, Cold Heart" became a huge hit and Hank's popularity was
world-wide.  In 1952  "I''ll Never Get Out of This World Alive" was released just before his
death on New Year's Day, when he died from a heart attack in the backseat of his chauffeur
driven car on the way to Canton, Ohio in a snow storm.

After his death songs like "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Take These Chains From My Heart," "I
Wont Be Home No More," and "Weary Blue From Waitin'" all charted during the year that
followed.  It is told that over 20,000 people attended his funeral in Montgomery where many
stars as Roy Acuff, Red Foley and Ernest Tubb sang songs in his tribute.

Hank had abused alchol and drugs for many years before his death and many times was to
drunk to perform at gigs.  He was fired from the Grand Ole Opry in August 1952 because
of perpetual drunkenness. He was also divorced and remarried soon after.  In 1961 he was
elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame and his plaque reads: "The simple, beautiful
melodies and straightforward plaintive stories in his lyrics of life as he knew it will never die."
 

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