A Lost Highway Through Hank Williams' Hometowns
I couldn't drive through Montgomery, Ala., yesterday without stopping at Hank Williams' grave. The imposing white monuments are a somber tribute to the singer and his wife, Audrey. A smaller monument between the headstones asks that the spot not be desecrated, at the request of Hank Williams Jr. As a result, there were no trinkets or bottles scattered at Williams' grave. However, it is still impressive to read the familiar titles of his songs inscribed at the base - some of the most famous tunes in the American songbook.
My friend and I got directions to the cemetery from the Hank Williams museum in downtown Montgomery. Although their collection could stand a curator who knows something about properly displaying memorabilia, instead of just leaning it against the wall, you can't argue with some of its pieces. If you're fascinated by his early death at age 29, you shouldn't miss seeing the powder blue Cadillac he died in, which his son later drove to high school in Nashville. (Much of the collection is on loan from Hank Jr.)
Since we were on our way home from the beach, we arrived too early for a tour of his childhood home in Georgiana, Ala., but we did peek inside the windows. That small town is also where he met the street musician, Tee Tot Payne, who taught him to play music. We didn't have time to do the rest of the Hank Williams Trail, but it sure was (hey) good lookin' around his hometowns.
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RedMaZ says:
Ther are several artists today carrying on his tradition(and doing a great job at it), but there is only one Hank Williams. As far as the reinstate Hank petition, I thought about it long and hard and decided against signing it. With the people they’re letting become members now, I doubt Hank would want to be there anymore. The Popry didn’t want him when he was alive, and they certainly don’t deserve him now that he’s dead. It would be an insult to his legacy now. Let him Rest in Peace.
Kevin says:
The Opry is not all about the newer artists. I have been to the Opry a few times and there are always several performers on each show that have a more classic country sound. I would be willing to bet that if the Opry didnt include any newer more popular artists then they wouldnt sell enough tickets to keep putting on a show at all. There is nothing wrong with the kind of music that first got the Opry started, and they still include that in the show which I like. So I see no reason for them to not also include this generations popular artists.
countryfan11 says:
Well then, why not start a petition to do away with the Opry altogether? After all, everyone of the former generations are all going to die off if they haven’t already, and that way, ya won’t have to worry about diluting the integrity of the membership. Now, for all those OTHER “country” artists that are NOT mainstream, why are they NOT ASKED to be on the Opry? If they are not interested in joining (or being asked) then why is it a big deal if current country artists ARE making the effort? What is the Opry’s criteria for joining?
I say if there are artists/groups that are NOT pop country, but “Roots” (or others)and they do not want to be “corrupted,” then they should just leave the Opry alone and be quiet about it. The Opry is as old as Methusela anyway, and even though I grew up listening to it/watching it, and welcome new artists, I don’t care what TYPE of “country” it is. The younger generation seems to have respect for their OPry forefather/foremothers. What’s the problem?
RedMaZ says:
I’m certainly not going to start a petition to do away with the Opry. It really doesn’t matter to me. If you new anything about todays Roots music, you’d know they are asked to, and do perform on the Opry, but more so on the Midnite Jamboree. I’m not speaking for any artists, I’m only speaking for myself about Hank Williams being reinstated into the Opry. There are many artists who’ve spent their lives maintaining the integrity, and upholding the tradition of what the Opry was started on. However, it’s seem the Opry has chosen enterprise over art. Reinstating Hank won’t make them any money, and will not attract their target demographics. Hank’s legacy is just fine where it’s at with his fans, and the New artists carrying on his music, and his style of music. Personally, that’s all I need, and in my opinion, that’s all Hank would want. I certainly don’t need approval or confirmation from the Grand Ole Opry.
Matt Walter says:
To update the last post I ment GRANDFATHER in the last sentence
Kevin says:
The fact that there is going to be and acrobatic performance there and that they have other forms of music performed there doesnt really have anything to to with The Grand Ole Opry show itself. The Ryman Auditorium is a great place so why not let it be used for other performances. The Opry show only takes up 3 days of each week. So why not allow other performances in order to get more use out of the venue. Whether it be the Ryman or the Opry House. The Ryman is only used for the Opry for a few months out of the year. So should it sit empty when the Opry isnt there?
I agree that Hank Sr. should be reinstated. However I dont agree with people bashing the Opry for what it is today. Like I stated before, not only new artists play at the Opry. Usually only 1 or 2 of today’s stars are on each Opry show. I dont recall seeing Kenny Chesney on the show lineup anytime recently, and Im not sure if Kid Rock has EVER performed on the Opry. Also, not all people that perform on the Opry shows are actually members of the Opry.
Randy Anderson says:
Let’s see, the only artists ever to be dismissed from the Opry were……Hank and Johnny Cash, an exclusive group indeed. Also no fan (and vice versa) of the Opry was Mr. Bob Wills (he used drums you know). Throw in the way the Opry treated Elvis and Gram Parsons (in his appearance with the Byrds) and I think you could make a case that it’s a greater badge of honor not to be counted among that group that last week (for example)gave us a three keyboard supported Kenny Rogers. The Opry sure loved Hank on January 2 1953 but not so much on New Years Eve. This petition is silly.
RedMaZ says:
Well said Randy. I absolutely agree.