Hank Williams

Topping our latest poll right now, is the godfather of modern-day country music, Hank Williams.

Although he passed away seventy years ago, Hank Williams, also known as the "singing cowboy," was a country music legend who rose to fame in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Born in Alabama in 1923, Williams began playing guitar and singing at a young age, influenced by the blues and gospel music he heard in his community.

His unique voice, emotional delivery, and storytelling lyrics quickly captured the hearts of country music fans. He wrote and recorded numerous hit songs during his short career, including Lovesick Blues, Your Cheatin' Heart, Hey Good Lookin', and I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry.

One of the reasons for Williams' enduring popularity was his ability to tell relatable, emotionally charged stories through his music. His songs often captured the struggles and joys of everyday life in the South, from heartbreak and hard work to celebrations and good times, and he possessed the rare ability to project real emotion through the sound of his voice.

His distinctive voice, which was both soulful and plaintive, and his vocal style, which combined elements of blues, gospel, and country music, set him apart from his contemporaries and made his songs instantly recognizable.

Unfortunately, Williams' success was also marred by personal struggles, including alcoholism, drug addiction, and health issues. He died on January 1st 1953, at the age of just twenty-nine. 

Today, Hank Williams music continues to inspire, and despite his brief time in the spotlight, his impact on country music left an enduring legacy. He is regarded as one of the most significant and influential American singers and songwriters of the 20th century, many artists have covered his songs, and he was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961.

He recorded fifty-five singles that reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart, some released posthumously, including twelve that reached No 1. 

Luckily for us, there were a few old time radio stations who invited Hank Williams along - as well as his ironically named Hank Williams Health & Happiness Show - and so we have a few shows on RUSC where you can listen to the music of the charismatic entertainer.

Happy listening my friends,