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.

 

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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

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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.

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