Jett Williams troubles

No one has done more to promote and enhance the stature of Hank Williams than his daughter Jett.

She’s been having some tough times since sudden unforeseen death her husband Keith last year.

Let’s trust that things will eventually work out for the best and she will be back concentrating on her work soon. A tough go I’m sure  without Keith.

http://www.newschannel5.com/story/25484480/jett-williams-arrested-in-wilson-co-on-dui-charge

More new Hank Williams radio performances

We all know the story of ‘Mother’s Best’ and ‘Health and Happiness’ live Hank Williams radio shows.

Now more great news with a series of programs Hank recorded live to disk for distribution to radio stations in 1950.

These programs were recorded for ‘Garden Spot’ garden centres.

I’ll be writing a few articles on this  as i have done for ‘Mother’s Best’ and ‘Health and Happiness’. You may recall that I am a big fan of ‘Health and Happiness’  because you could really hear the power and intensity of Hank Williams as he broke on the music scene before some of his biggest hits were even thought of.

I’m hoping for something like that for this show.

Let’s start with the promotional video from Omnivore Records.

 

 

 

‘I Can’t Help it if I’m Still in Love with You’ on new Linda Ronstadt album

One of Hank Williams greatest songs will be back on the charts in April as part of a big new album release that is getting a lot of attention.

The Album is Linda Rondstadt Duets which highlights recordings made by the singer over her long career.

On ‘I Can’t Help It if I’m Still in Love With You’  she is joined by Emmylou Harris in a recording made a way back in 1974.

But there’s nothing better than this shortened version from the Kate Smith Hour TV show.

The album released date is April 8, two days before Linda is inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The very best ‘Cold, Cold Heart’

I didn’t know that one of the greatest singers that ever lived recorded a Hank song and as usual created a definitive version. Dinah Washington.

Anniversary celebration at the Hank Williams Museum

I’ve just lifted this article from the Hank Williams Museum website. A big anniversary is being celebrated there this weekend. Also in this passage news about a new Hank Williams tribute album. Proceeds from that project will go to the museum.

February 8, 2014 is the 15th Anniversary of the Hank Williams Museum.  We will celebrate with Open House on Sunday, Feb 9, 2014 from 1-4pm. Free Admission that day only.  Donations are appreciated!  New showcase featuring items from the “Alabama Outlaw” Wayne Mills

        Country artist Joey Allcorn announces the release of an album that will salute the legendary Hank Williams and raise money for the Hank Williams Museum. He is joined on the project by other artists who are avid Hank Williams fans and supporters of the museum, including Jake Penrod, Rachel Brooke, David Church, Arty Hill, Andy Norman, and Bobby Tomberlin.

Unlike other Hank Williams tribute recordings, this one does not feature any covers of Williams’ classic songs. Instead, it focuses on the mystery, the intrigue, and even the aura surrounding his untimely death.  Such important figures as Charles Carr, Hank’s driver on the night he died, and Braxton Schuffert, one of Hank’s earliest musical heroes, both of whom recently passed away, are a part of the musical story.

Among the songs included are “The Death of Hank Williams,” the first Hank Williams tribute song ever released, “Death is Only a Dream,” Hank’s favorite song according to a 1952 Country Song Roundup interview, and “Midnight,” the last song Hank Williams ever sang while traveling to Canton, Ohio, on December 31, 1952. “I’ve wanted to do a project like this for a long time in order to bring back some of these songs that exist in Hank Williams lore that a lot of his fans might not be very familiar with,” Allcorn says.

The album named “Midnight” is available exclusively from the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery, Alabama. All proceeds from its sale will go directly to the museum and play a role in keeping the world’s largest Hank Williams collection available for his many fans to enjoy for years to come.

Hank Williams starred in seventh best Super Bowl commercial ever

How many remember this one? From way back in 1996 Hank Williams starred in a Super Bowl Commercial for Pepsi.

A blog called Search Engine Journal has named that commercial the 7th greatest Super Bowl Commercial of ALL TIME.

The article is here.

UPDATE:

Forgot to mention Hank was also in a 2012 Super Bowl Commercial.

Story and link here.

The spirit of Hank Williams lives in Japan

This is a great video capturing both the sound, and spirit of Hank Williams.

This an eight minute medley by a Hank Williams tribute artist from Japan.

Enjoy.

Hank Williams’ death remembered at museum: stunning radio news bulletin

It always gratifying to know that Hank Williams’ home town has established  annual ceremonial activities to remember it’s legendary native son.

On his birthdate in September, and on New Year’s Day the Hank Williams Museum in Montgomery Alabama  honors the great American singer and  songwriter. A reading through this blog will establish that Williams has become a world class artist whose influence is felt through many facets of arts and culture in American and across the globe.

Here’s an announcement from the Museum on January 1st events in 2014.

January 1, 2014, we will honor Hank’s legacy at the Hank Williams Museum with music from 10:30-1pm.  $10 admission. Black eye peas served with the trimmings. Yum Yum

10am Oakwood Cemetery Annex for the 61st Memorial and wreath laying.

Musicians attending this year are:

The Sheppard Family, The Schuffert Family, Vinny D’Amico, Tyler Jones, Gaynell Moore, Andy Norman, Peter Loper, Roger Wilson and Special Guest-Spencer Bohren.

http://www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.net/

Here is a stunning announcement of news that soon traveled around the world 61 years ago.

 

Cincinnati celebrates Hank Williams and the Herzog Studio

Arguably the most important day in the career and life of Hank Williams was spent at the Herzog Studios at 811 Race Street Cincinnati Ohio.

It was there that Hank recorded 8 tracks that were turning points in the great career.

Most importantly, December 22, 1948 was the date Hank Williams recorded his signature song at least during the years he was alive, ‘Lovesick Blues’. It’s true that many other Hank recordings many his own compositions,  have become more associated with the Hank Williams legacy following his tragic death on Janury 1, 1953.

But during his lifetime, from the day it was released, ‘Lovesick  Blues’ was Hank’s most famous song and he was known at every appearance whether in person or on radio,  as “The Lovesick Blues Boy”.

On Friday December 21 2013, in Cincinnati, at The Southgate Revival there will be a celebration of Hank’s two  recording session at Herzog December 22 1948 and August 30 1949. The occasion will be marked by the  release of a CD by ArloMcKinley called  the Hank 8, covering each of the recordings that were made on the two days. The celebration will include other musical acts as well and participants dressing in period 1940’s costumes.

Here are the Hank  Williams recordings at Herzog from December 22, 1948:
Lost on the River
There’ll be no Teardrops Tonight
I Heard My Mother Praying For Me
Lovesick Blues

From August 30, 1949
I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
A House Without Love is Not a Home
I Just Don’t Like This Kind of Living
My Buckets Got a Hole in It

So there it is, from December ‘Lovesick Blues’ and There’ll be no Teardrops Tonight’, and from August ‘I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry’.

Hank fans sure appreciate the efforts of the Cincinnati Music Heritage Foundation to keep his name alive and strong in Cincinnati Ohio.

Here’s a great article about Herzog from Brian Turpen:

And finally, from Cincinnati. . . Hank Williams

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMb_7HDWjZo

Ray Price dies in hospice care at home: December 15/16, 2013 updates

Ray Price a protege and friend of Hank Williams died December 16 at the age of 87.

Here’s a very good article reviewing  Price’s career  and his many accomplishments and virtually unparalleled contributions to country music. Of course Ray also became one of the very top echelon of pop vocalists and stylists in American music.

Here’s a Hank song for Ray.

UPDATE: Dec 16, 2013, 945 AM

There’s been confusion about the death of Ray Price. He is still alive but in end of life care at home. This is a correction from ‘The Tennessean’.

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/12/15/ray-prices-wife-says-country-music-hall-of-famer-is-still-alive/

All the best to all involved at this very difficult time.

UPDATE: Dec 15, 2013 445 PM Eastern

I hate to now have to report that the ‘Tennessean’ newspaper in Nashville now reports that Ray Price has died.

http://blogs.tennessean.com/tunein/2013/12/15/ray-price-country-music-hall-of-famer-dies-at-age-87/

Earlier report:

Sadly, country superstar and legend, Ray Price’s condition has apparently taken a turn for the worse.

Price, a protege and friend of Hank Williams, has been waging an heroic fight against cancer.

He came close to death this fall in a Houston hospital, but then rallied in time for Thanksgiving.

Now we hear he has gone from hospital to  hospice care at home.

Here’s a link

Here’s the official statement from wife Janie.

“Ray is alert and aware of his surroundings and making decisions. With God’s blessing, he has not had extreme pain. But it’s with great sadness that I announce to you today that my beloved husband has entered the final stages of his cancer that he has battled for 25 months. Anyone who knows Ray is aware that he has strong convictions and great faith in God. It’s his decision to leave the hospital and return home to spend his final days on his beloved ranch surrounded by the comfort of his home, family and friends.”

I think this is a really great vocal performance by Ray Price on a Hank song:

Finally, Here is a list of all articles in the blog mentioning Ray Price.