Hank Williams, Sr
Induction Year: 1970
Birth Name: Hiram Williams
Birth Date: September 17, 1923
Place of Birth: Mount Olive West, AL
Deceased: January 01, 1953
Place of Death: West Virginia
Biography
Former Occupations: Laborer and welder at shipbuilding company
Education: High School--Sidney Lanier High School
Discography / Career Highlights
Career Milestones:
1936 - got first guitar and wrote first song
1937 - won a talent contest singing an original song, "WPA Blues" 1937 - won a talent contest singing an original song, "WPA Blues"
1937 - radio debut on WSFA in Montgomery, AL; landed a regular spot as The Singing Kid
1937 - performed regularly on WCOV
1937 - formed first band "The Drifting Cowboys"
1944 - appeared in Grand Ole Opry tour show
1945 - published first songbook, "Songs of Hank Williams 'The Drifting Cowboy'"
1946 - went to Nashville in September and signed first publishing contract with Acuff-Rose (for individual songs)
1946 - first recording session in December with Sterling Records (in NY)
1947 - signed with M-G-M Records
1947 - "Move It On Over" became first of Hank's songs to get onto the Billboard charts (reached #4)
1948 - signed exclusive publishing contract with Acuff-Rose
1948 - became a regular on KWKH's (Shreveport) Louisiana Hayride in August
1949 - first Grand Ole Opry appearance in June (performed "Lovesick Blues"); first time an artist received six encores
1949 - first #1 record "Lovesick Blues" stayed on Billboard charts for 42 weeks (#1 for 17 weeks); top country record of 1949 in both Billboard and Cash Box (sold more than 1,000,000 copies)
1952 - fired from the Grand Ole Opry in August
1952 - recorded last song for M-G-M in September, "Take These Chains From My Heart"
1952 - last public appearance for the American Federation of Musicians at the Casino Lounge in the Elite Cafe in Montgomery on December 28
Awards:
1961 - Country Music Hall of Fame induction (among first three inductees)
1951 - Billboard\Song of the Year\Cold, Cold Heart
1970 - National Academy of Popular Music\Songwriters' Hall of Fame induction
Catalog Highlights:
"Honky Tonk Blues" - Artists: Hank Williams, Charley Pride, Hank Williams Jr., Waylon Jennings, Huey Lewis and the News, Pirates of the Mississippi
"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" - Artists: Hank Williams, B.J. Thomas, Terry Bradshaw, Marty Robbins, Margaret Whiting, Hank Wilson (Leon Russell), Linda Plowman, Charlie McCoy, Jerry Lee Lewis, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Cowboy Junkies, Gary Morris, Al Green
"Cold, Cold Heart" - Artists: Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, George Jones, Jerry Lee Lewis, Charlie McCoy, Tony Bennett, Mills Brothers, Lawrence Welk, Dinah Washington
"I Can't Help It" (If I'm Still in Love With You) - Artists: Hank Williams, Margaret Whiting, Ricky Nelson, Adam Wade, Johnny Tillotson, B.J. Thomas, Al Martino, Linda Ronstadt
"Hey, Good Lookin'" - Artists: Hank Williams, Tennessee Ernie Ford & Helen O'Connell, Johnny Cash, Faron Young, Mavericks
"Jambalaya" (On the Bayou) - Artists: Hank Williams, Jo Stafford, Moon Mullican, Homer & Jethro, Paul Anka, Ames Brothers, Fats Domino, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Blue Ridge Rangers
"You Win Again" - Artists: Hank Williams, Charley Pride, Jerry Lee Lewis, Johnny Cash, George Hamilton IV, Jean Shepard, Helen Merrill, The Paulette Sisters, Fats Domino
"Kaw-Liga" - Co-writer: Fred Rose - Artists: Hank Williams, Charley Pride, Hank Williams Jr.
"Your Cheatin' Heart" - Artists: Hank Williams, Ray Charles, Joni James, George Hamilton IV, Billy Vaughn, Margaret Whiting, Paul Anka, Ames Brothers, Connie Francis
"I Saw the Light" - Artists: Hank Williams, Roy Acuff, Boxcar Willie, Willie Nelson and Leon Russell, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
"I'd Still Want You" - Artists: Hank Williams
"My Son Calls Another Man Daddy" - Co-writer: House, Jewell - Artists: Hank Williams
"Move It On Over" - Artists: Hank Williams, Johnnie & Jack, Buddy Alan, Boxcar Willie, George Thorogood & the Destroyers
"Why Don't You Love Me?" - Artists: Hank Williams, Connie Smith, Red Hot Chili Peppers
"Honky Tonkin'" - Artists: Hank Williams, Hank Williams Jr.
"Mind Your Own Business" - Artists: Hank Willams, Hank Williams Jr., Jimmy Dean