Play Hank Williams Radio
Hank Williams
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On a warm night in June, 1949, with his first number one record spilling out of radios across the country, a frail young man walked onto the stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium for his Grand Ole Opry debut. Behind him lay nearly a decade of struggle and rejection in pursuit of this goal; ahead, a little more than five years in the limelight.
By 1953, literally worn out at twenty-nine, Hank Williams was gone. But he had given country music much of its standard repertoire, a new definition of stardom and a legend so enduring that he is still the model for countless singers and songwriters.
Born in Mount Olive West, Alabama (near Georgiana) on September 17th, 1923, Hiriam was the second child of Lon and Lillie Williams. Lon, a WWI veteran, was hospitalized during most of Hank’s early life, leaving the boy’s upbringing to his strong-willed mother. Small and fragile from the beginning (and afflicted with spina bifida), Hank may well have gravitated toward music as an alternative to sports. While living in Georgiana, he befriended Rufus Payne, a black street musician known as “Tee-Tot”.
Years later, Hank would say that Payne had given him “all the music training I ever had”, and most biographers consider Payne the source of the noticeable blues thread running through Hank’s music. Hear a sample of “Long Gone Lonesome Blues”
At sixteen, living in Montgomery, Williams quit school and began his music career in earnest. He had made his first radio appearance on WSFA in late 1936 or early 1937, and would soon become one of the station’s most popular performers. He also worked beer joints and regional shows with his band, already named the Drifting Cowboys.
By 1953, literally worn out at twenty-nine, Hank Williams was gone. But he had given country music much of its standard repertoire, a new definition of stardom and a legend so enduring that he is still the model for countless singers and songwriters.
Born in Mount Olive West, Alabama (near Georgiana) on September 17th, 1923, Hiriam was the second child of Lon and Lillie Williams. Lon, a WWI veteran, was hospitalized during most of Hank’s early life, leaving the boy’s upbringing to his strong-willed mother. Small and fragile from the beginning (and afflicted with spina bifida), Hank may well have gravitated toward music as an alternative to sports. While living in Georgiana, he befriended Rufus Payne, a black street musician known as “Tee-Tot”.
Years later, Hank would say that Payne had given him “all the music training I ever had”, and most biographers consider Payne the source of the noticeable blues thread running through Hank’s music. Hear a sample of “Long Gone Lonesome Blues”
At sixteen, living in Montgomery, Williams quit school and began his music career in earnest. He had made his first radio appearance on WSFA in late 1936 or early 1937, and would soon become one of the station’s most popular performers. He also worked beer joints and regional shows with his band, already named the Drifting Cowboys.
Videos
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Play
Cold Cold Heart
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Play
I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)
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Play
Hank Williams - Hey Good Lookin'
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Play
Hank Williams: Lovesick Blues
Top Albums
Top Tracks
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I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
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| 2 |
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Your Cheatin' Heart
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| 3 |
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Lovesick Blues
full track
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| 4 |
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Lost Highway
full track
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| 5 |
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Move It On Over
full track
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| 6 |
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Hey, Good Lookin'
full track
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| 7 |
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Honky Tonk Blues
full track
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| 8 |
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Long Gone Lonesome Blues
full track
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| 9 |
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I Saw The Light
full track
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| 10 |
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Jambalaya (On The Bayou)
full track
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| 11 |
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Ramblin' Man
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| 12 |
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Kaw-liga
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| 13 |
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A Mansion on the Hill
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| 14 |
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Cold, Cold Heart
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| 15 |
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Honky Tonkin'
full track
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Shoutbox
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Outlaw33 wrote:
He started rock n' roll, Hank FOREVER!!
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RJP2 wrote:
You got me chasin rabbits, walkin' on my hands, and howlin' at the moon... love ya Hank.
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strajnic wrote:
He was rock'n'roll before rock'n'roll even existed!
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He11Kn1ght wrote:
I remember my grandfather listening to this guy all he time. ah the memories. Instant add for me.
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Youyesyesyes wrote:
real country
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unmanifest wrote:
Soulful, simple, humble, honest. Makes modern country sound like the ridiculous, tacky bullshit it is.
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davidn87 wrote:
Glad I downloaded the Mother's Best torrent that was available a few months ago, I have bought "The Unreleased Recordings" but it's not full shows and the intros have been cut out.
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Puggs wrote:
so damn lonesome...... great music
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ncrln81 wrote:
Adoro! Me faz o coração gelar :D
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ThurstyBob wrote:
Hank rules!
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xnewjerseyx wrote:
one of greatest songwriters ever.
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wabideo wrote:
weary blues from waitin', alone and forsaken = amazing (along with most of his other penned songs, of course)
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sincelest wrote:
honky tonk blueessss
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micksor wrote:
What a loss to Country music, It makes me sad
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Kongonella wrote:
Hank hats drauf !
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HowlinLord wrote:
The Brashville Opry Presents... A Tribut to Hank Williams - 26th September, Mother's Ruin, Bristol Hank's songs played by... John E Vistic, Phantom Limb, Emily Breeze, Howlin' Lord, Sam Braithwaite, Upton Lovell + more tbc + Country DJ's till late. Come down and raise a glass to the Hillbilly Shakespeare
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opaherbie wrote:
Elvis hat die beste Version gesungen.
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GaiaComplex wrote:
happy b'day sir, in honour of it i shall be eating Jambalaya for lunch
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m90 wrote:
Happy birthday once again, dear Hank!
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aschlietuna wrote:
lovely one
Listeners
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Recent Activity
- rgantunes, oehlerei, asmodeusphot and 1 other person added Hank Williams to their libraries. 3 hours ago
- enemyofenemies wrote about Hank Williams in 100 Greatest Singers of All-Time - Rolling Stone. 11 hours ago
- YvonneJennings, mannytheyutz, robarcmo58 and 6 other people added Hank Williams to their libraries. 11 hours ago
- samueljeronimo tagged Hank Williams with americana, singer-songwriter, country and one other tag. yesterday evening
- chriscohrs, JMDEBROUX, francescaAlbi and 12 other people added Hank Williams to their libraries. yesterday afternoon
- iaiafhtagn tagged Hank Williams with ‘classic country’. Thursday afternoon
- richdogca, GreenStork, ClaireMetcalfe and 21 other people added Hank Williams to their libraries. Thursday afternoon
- acreature created the wiki page for 40 Greatest Hits (disc 2). last month
- acreature created the wiki page for 40 Greatest Hits (disc 1). last month
- klimaz tagged Hank Williams with ‘country’. August 2008
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