by Colin Escott
15-A1
DEAR JOHN (Aubrey Gass / Tex Ritter)
ROADSIDE RAG (Don Helms solo) (Unknown)
I’LL FLY AWAY (Albert E. Brumley)
BONAPARTE’S RETREAT (Jerry Rivers solo) (Pee Wee King / Redd Stewart)
15-A2
COLD, COLD HEART
FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN (Jerry Rivers solo) (Trad.)
FARTHER ALONG (Rev. W. B. Stevens)
16-A1 (DEMO FOR AUNT JEMIMA PANCAKES)
WHY DON’T YOU LOVE ME?
SAN ANTONIO ROSE (Owen Bradley Orchestra) (Bob Wills) HONEY, BE MY HONEY BEE (Beasley Sisters) (Unknown) COLD, COLD HEART
SHOW DATED 2/12/51
MOVE IT ON OVER
WALTZ OF THE WIND (Audrey Williams solo) (Fred Rose)
I’LL HAVE A NEW BODY (Unknown)
SHOW DATED 2/13/51
FADED LOVE AND WINTER ROSES (Fred Rose) FOUR FLUSHER (Audrey Williams solo) (Unknown) I SAW THE LIGHT
SHOW DATED 2/21/51
WHY SHOULD WE TRY ANYMORE? LOW AND LONELY (Audrey Williams solo) JESUS DIED FOR ME
SHOW DATED 2/22/51
LONG GONE LONESOME BLUES
(LAST NIGHT) I HEARD YOU CRYING IN YOUR SLEEP
(Audrey Williams solo) LONELY TOMBS (J. E. Mainer) TURKEY IN THE STRAW (Jerry Rivers solo) (Trad.)
SHOW DATED 2/23/51
DEAR JOHN
IF YOU WANT SOME LOVIN’ (Audrey Williams solo) (Unknown) I HEARD MY MOTHER PRAYING FOR ME (Hank and Audrey Williams) (Audrey Williams)
SHOW NUMBERED 146
MIND YOUR OWN BUSINESS
OLD JOE CLARK (Jerry Rivers solo) (Trad.)
I DREAMED ABOUT MAMA LAST NIGHT (Fred Rose)
SHOW NUMBERED 147
I’M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY
CORRINE, CORRINA (Don Helms solo) (J. W. Williams / Bo Chatman)
I HEARD MY SAVIOR CALLING ME (Unknown)
SHOW NUMBERED 150
MY SWEET LOVE AIN’T AROUND
FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN (Jerry Rivers) (Trad.)
I SAW THE LIGHT
SHOW NUMBERED 151
YOU BLOTTED MY HAPPY SCHOOLDAYS (Edith and Sherman Collins) ORANGE BLOSSOM SPECIAL (Jerry Rivers solo) (Ervin Rouse) DUST ON THE BIBLE (Johnnie and Walter Bailes)
SHOW NUMBERED 156
HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY THAT I LOVE YOU (Scotty Wiseman) SALLY GOODIN (Jerry Rivers solo; Hank sings a little) WHEN THE SAINTS GO MARCHIN’ IN (Trad.)
TITLE (COMPOSER[S]) RECORDING NO.
SHOW NUMBERED 157
HEY, GOOD LOOKIN’
SILVER BELL (Drifting Cowboys) (Trad.)
SING, SING, SING
TURKEY IN THE STRAW (Jerry Rivers solo) (Trad.)
SHOW NUMBERED 158
I CAN’T HELP IT
STAY ALL NIGHT (Bob Wills)
LONELY TOMBS (J. E. Mainer)
UNDATED / UNNUMBERED SHOW
NOBODY’S LONESOME FOR ME
I’LL HAVE A NEW BODY (Unknown)
Demos, probably recorded 1951.
THY BURDENS ARE GREATER THAN MINE (Pee Wee King / Redd Stewart) MGM 12185
TEN LITTLE NUMBERS (Roy Acuff) Mercury 314536077
FOOL ABOUT YOU (Ralph C. Hutcheson) MGM 2391.519 (UK)
Note: This song was copyrighted in Hank Williams’ name in 1962, but was actually written by Ralph C. Hutcheson and first recorded by the Barker Brothers on Jaybird Records in 1951.
CALIFORNIA ZEPHYR Polydor 825554
ANGEL OF DEATH (1) Mercury 314536077
ANGEL OF DEATH (2) Polydor 831634
READY TO GO HOME Polydor 833752
I CAN’T ESCAPE FROM YOU Polydor 831634
WEARY BLUES FROM WAITIN’ Polydor 825551
WHEN THE BOOK OF LIFE IS READ Polydor 825557
Demo, possibly recorded October 25, 1951.
THERE’S A TEAR IN MY BEER Polydor 847194
Note: Hank Williams demo overdubbed with Hank Williams Jr. and group, 1988, and first issued on Warner Bros. / Curb 7–27584. Hank Williams’ undubbed demo issued on Polydor 847194.
Demo, reportedly recorded October 25, 1951.
YOU KILLED ALL THE LOVE I EVER HAD Polydor 847194
Session: March 16, 1951 (1:30–5:00 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Jerry Rivers (fiddle); Don Helms (steel guitar); Sammy Pruett (electric guitar); Jack Shook (rhythm guitar); Ernie Newton or “Cedric Rainwater,” aka Howard Watts (bass); Owen Bradley or Fred Rose (piano).
I CAN’T HELP IT (IF I’M STILL IN LOVE WITH YOU) MGM 10961
HOWLIN’ AT THE MOON MGM 10961
HEY, GOOD LOOKIN’ MGM 11000
MY HEART WOULD KNOW MGM 11000
Session: March 23, 1951 (7:00–10:30 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Audrey Williams (vocal duet and solo); Jerry Rivers (fiddle); Don Helms (steel guitar); Sammy Pruett (electric guitar); Jack Shook (rhythm guitar); Ernie Newton or “Cedric Rainwater,” aka Howard Watts (bass).
LEAVE US WOMEN ALONE* (Audrey Williams) MGM 11083
IF YOU SEE MY BABY* (Audrey Williams) MGM 11083
THE PALE HORSE AND HIS RIDER† (Ervin Staggs / Johnny Bailes) MGM 12394
A HOME IN HEAVEN* MGM 12394
AFRS 175, May 5, 1951.
Unknown band.
COLD, COLD HEART MGM MG-1–5019
DEAR JOHN (Aubrey Gass / Tex Ritter) MGM MG-1–5019
Unknown radio show, probably 1951.
Unknown band.
DEAR JOHN (Aubrey Gass / Tex Ritter) Forever Music 0409
Session: June 1, 1951 (7:00–10:00 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Jerry Rivers (fiddle); Don Helms (steel guitar); Sammy Pruett (electric guitar); Jack Shook (rhythm guitar); Ernie Newton or “Cedric Rainwater,” aka Howard Watts (bass); unknown, possibly Owen Bradley (organ).
RAMBLIN’ MAN* MGM 11120
PICTURES FROM LIFE’S OTHER SIDE* MGM 11120
I’VE BEEN DOWN THAT ROAD BEFORE* MGM 11017
I DREAMED ABOUT MAMA LAST NIGHT (Fred Rose) MGM 11017
Session: July 25, 1951 (7:15–10:35 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Don Helms (steel guitar); Jerry Rivers (fiddle); Sammy Pruett (lead guitar); probably Jack Shook (rhythm guitar); “Cedric Rainwater,” aka Howard Watts (bass).
I’D STILL WANT YOU MGM 11100
LONESOME WHISTLE (Hank Williams / Jimmie Davis) MGM 11054
CRAZY HEART (Fred Rose / Maurice Murray) MGM 11054
CRAZY HEART (alternate take) MGM X-1014(EP)
BABY, WE’RE REALLY IN LOVE Unissued / lost
Session: August 10, 1951 (7:00–10:30 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Personnel as on July 25, 1951, except add Fred Rose or Owen Bradley (piano).
I’M SORRY FOR YOU, MY FRIEND Unissued / lost
HALF AS MUCH (Curley Williams) MGM 11202
I’D STILL WANT YOU Polydor 823695
BABY, WE’RE REALLY IN LOVE MGM 11100
Unknown location, probably WSM studios, possibly September 1951.
RADIO SPOT FOR HOW TO WRITE FOLK AND WESTERN MUSIC . . . Mercury 314532601
AFRS 197, September 22, 1951.
Unknown band.
HEY, GOOD LOOKIN’ MG-1–5019
Unknown show, probably 1951.
Unknown band.
I CAN’T ESCAPE FROM YOU Forever Music 0409
Session: December 11, 1951 (10:00 a.m–12 noon): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Jerry Rivers (fiddle); possibly Sammy Pruett (electric guitar); Don Helms (steel guitar); probably Jack Shook (acoustic guitar); Ernie Newton or “Cedric Rainwater,” aka Howard Watts (bass).
I’M SORRY FOR YOU, MY FRIEND MGM 11160
HONKY TONK BLUES MGM 11160
LET’S TURN BACK THE YEARS MGM 11202
Unknown location, late December 1951.
THE APOLOGY (1) Polydor 833752
THE APOLOGY (2) Mercury 314536077
Demos probably recorded 1952.
IF YOU’LL BE A BABY TO ME Polydor 825557
YOUR CHEATIN�
� HEART CMF 06
I COULD NEVER BE ASHAMED OF YOU Mercury 314536077
KAW-LIGA (and two false starts) Mercury 314536077
ARE YOU WALKIN’ AND A TALKIN’ FOR THE LORD? (1) Mercury 314536077
ARE YOU WALKIN’ AND A TALKIN’ FOR THE LORD? (2) Polydor 833749
JAMBALAYA CMF 06
A TEARDROP ON A ROSE Polydor 833749
YOU BETTER KEEP IT ON YOUR MIND (Hank Williams / Vic McAlpin) CMF 06
Note: Second vocalist is probably Hank Snow.
LOW DOWN BLUES Polydor 831633
I AIN’T GOT NOTHIN’ BUT TIME Polydor 825548
AFRS 221, March 22, 1952.
Unknown band.
LET THE SPIRIT DESCEND (J. M. Purdom) Mercury 314536077
HONKY TONK BLUES Mercury 314536077
Radio show April 1, 1952.
Unknown band.
ARE YOU WALKIN’ AND A TALKIN’ FOR THE LORD? Mercury 314536077
Radio show April 4, 1952.
DRIFTING TOO FAR FROM THE SHORE (Charles Moody) Mercury 314536077
AFRS 223, April 5, 1952.
Unknown band.
BABY, WE’RE REALLY IN LOVE Polydor 827531
THE OLD COUNTRY CHURCH* (John Whitfield Vaughn) Polydor 825548
Kate Smith Evening Hour, April 23, 1952.
Unknown band.
COLD, COLD HEART Unissued
I CAN’T HELP IT* Mercury 314536077
Radio show(s) April 1952.
Unknown band(s).
WILD SIDE OF LIFE (Arlie Carter / William Warren) Mercury 314536077
I CRIED AGAIN (Autry Inman) Mercury 314536077
Session: June 13, 1952 (10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Jerry Rivers (fiddle); Don Helms (steel guitar.); Chet Atkins (electric guitar); probably Jack Shook (rhythm guitar); Chuck Wright (bass).
WINDOW SHOPPING (Marcel Joseph) MGM 11283
JAMBALAYA (ON THE BAYOU) MGM 11283
SETTIN’ THE WOODS ON FIRE (Fred Rose / Ed Nelson) MGM 11318
I’LL NEVER GET OUT OF THIS WORLD ALIVE (Hank Williams / Fred Rose) MGM 11366
Session: July 11, 1952 (1:45–3:45 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Jerry Rivers (fiddle); Don Helms (steel guitar); probably Chet Atkins (lead guitar); Harold Bradley (rhythm guitar); probably Ernie Newton (bass).
YOU WIN AGAIN MGM 11318
I WON’T BE HOME NO MORE MGM 11533
BE CAREFUL OF STONES THAT YOU THROW* (Bonnie Dodd) MGM 11309
PLEASE MAKE UP YOUR MIND* MGM 11309
Session: September 23, 1952 (1:30–3:40 p.m.): Castle Studio, Nashville.
Tommy Jackson (fiddle); Don Helms (steel guitar); Chet Atkins (lead guitar); Jack Shook (rhythm guitar); Floyd “Lightnin’ ” Chance (bass); Farris Coursey (drums)*.
I COULD NEVER BE ASHAMED OF YOU MGM 11366
YOUR CHEATIN’ HEART MGM 11416
KAW-LIGA* (Hank Williams / Fred Rose) MGM 11416
TAKE THESE CHAINS FROM MY HEART (Hy Heath / Fred Rose) MGM 11479
Demo session, KWKH, December 3, 1952.
THE LOG TRAIN Time-Life TLCW-01
Undated radio performance.
Audrey Williams (duet vocal).
SOMETHING GOT A HOLD OF ME (Warren Caplinger) Polydor 831633
SOURCES
GENERAL
Documents
Birth, marriage, and death certificates; divorce proceedings; guardianship accountings and related correspondence for Randall Hank Williams and Cathy Yvone Stone; real estate transaction records: Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee.
Hatch Show Print records.
R. J. Reynolds Grand Ole Opry records.
Library of Congress, song copyright data.
MGM Records recording sheets.
MGM Records contract file.
MGM Records royalty statements.
Acuff-Rose correspondence file.
Acuff-Rose royalty statements.
American Federation of Musicians, membership logs.
Books — General
ASCAP Biographical Dictionary. New York: Bowker & Co., 1980.
Escott, Colin, and Kira Florita. Hank Williams: Snapshots from the Lost Highway. New York: DaCapo Press, 2001.
Fowler, Gene, and Bill Crawford. Border Radio. New York: Limelight Editions, 1990.
Gentry, Linnell. History and Encyclopedia of Country Western, and Gospel Music. Nashville: Clairmont Corp., 1969.
Hank Williams and His Stars of WSFA. Songbook, 1946.
Kingsbury, Paul, ed. The Encyclopedia of Country Music. New York: Oxford University Press, 1998.
Malone, Bill C. Country Music USA. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1968.
——. Singing Cowboys and Musical Mountaineers. Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 1993.
Odom, Mr. and Mrs. Burton. The Hank Williams Story. Greenville, AL: Butler County Historical Society, 1974.
Radio Annual. New York: Radio Daily, 1938–1948.
Rivers, Jerry. From Life to Legend. Denver, CO: Heather Publications, 1967.
Rockwell, Harry E. Beneath the Applause. Privately published, 1973.
Rogers, Arnold, and Bruce Gidoll. The Life and Times of Hank Williams. Nashville: Haney-Jones Books, 1993.
Sanjek, Russell, and David Sanjek. American Popular Music Business in the
Twentieth Century. New York: Oxford University Press, 1991.
Shapiro, Nat. Popular Music. 6 vols. New York: Adrian Press, 1964–1973.
Whitburn, Joel. Top Country Singles. Menomonee Falls, WI: Record Research, 2001.
Williams, Hank, and Jimmy Rule. Hank Williams Tells How to Write Folk and Western Music to Sell. Nashville: Harpeth Publishing, 1951.
Williams, Jett, and Pamela Thomas. Ain’t Nothing As Sweet As My Baby. New York: Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, 1990.
Williams, Lycrecia, and Dale Vinicur. Still in Love with You. Nashville: Rutledge Hill, 1989.
Williams, Roger M. Sing a Sad Song. New York: Doubleday, 1970.
CHAPTER 1: THE DRIFTING COWBOY’S DREAM
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Leila Griffin, Mrs. M. C. Jarrett, J. C. McNeil, Walter McNeil, Robert Williams, 1989–1993.
Harold Sims, 1996.
Leila Griffin, Lum York, and Walter McNeil reinterviewed, 2003.
SOURCES
Gleason, Ralph. “Hank Williams, Roy Acuff and Then God!!” Rolling Stone, June 28, 1969.
Greenville (AL) Advocate, “Hank Williams Buried Sunday,” January 8, 1953.
Harp, Alice. Online features about “Tee-Tot": http://www.tokyo-blues.com/Rufus_Tee_Tot_Payne.html; http://www.bluepower.com/news.jsp?contentId=2719.
—. “Rufus Payne Teacher / Mentor / Friend to Hank Williams the Child.” Hank Williams Fanzine 20.
Hendrix, Vernon. “Father of Famed Singer Lives By the Side of the Road.” Montgomery (AL) Advertiser, December 24, 1967.
Mason, Red. “From Peanuts to Fame.” Millbrook (AL) Tri-Co News, August 14, 1969.
McGuire, Colin. “Only People Left Here Are Old Folks.” Montgomery (AL) Advertiser, March 16, 1969.
Rankin, Alan, and Lilly Stone. Life Story of Our Hank Williams. Montgomery, AL: Philbert Publications, 1953.
Smith, Irene Williams. “The Day Hank Williams Lived.” Washington Post, January 1, 1993.
Williams, Lon. Application for Social Security card, 1941.
—. Undated letter to Camden (AL) Progressive Era.
CHAPTER 2: “ROY ACUFF, THEN GOD!”
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS AND CORRESPONDENCE
Leila Griffin, Mrs. M. C. Jarrett, J. C. McNeil, Walter McNeil, Jimmy Adams (principal of Sidney Lanier High School), Freddy Beach, Irella Beach, Leaborne Eads, Boots Harris, Braxton Schuffert, Mrs. Caldwell Stewart, Robert Williams, Paul Dennis, 1989–1993.
Harold Sims, 1996.
Leila Griffin, Braxton Schuffert, Walter McNeil, and Boots Harris reinterviewed, 2003.
Lum York, Billy Walker, Lewis Fitzgerald, Pee Wee Moultrie, 2003.
SOURCE
S
Compton, Thomas H. Letter to Butler County Historical Society. April 7, 1980.
Gleason, Ralph."Hank Williams, Roy Acuff and Then God!!” Rolling Stone, June 28, 1969.
Greenville (AL) Advocate, “Homecoming for Hank Sunday,” July 12, 1951.
Mason, Red. “From Peanuts to Fame.” Millbrook (AL) Tri-Co News, August 14, 1969.
Montgomery (AL) Advertiser, “ ‘Hezzy,’ Hank Williams Partner Dies,” September 13, 1970.
Rankin, Alan, and Lilly Stone. Life Story of Our Hank Williams. Montgomery, AL: Philbert Publications, 1953.
Smith, Irene Williams. “The Day Hank Williams Lived.” Washington Post, January 1, 1993.
Sutton, Juanealya. The Man Behind the Scenes. Defuniak Springs, FL: privately published, 1987.
Williams, Hank. Application to Alabama Dry Dock and Shipbuilding Company. January 28, 1944.
—. Letter to Lilly Williams, November 18, 1940. Courtesy of Marty Stuart.
—. Radio promotional spot for Homecoming, July 1951.
Williams, Lon. Application for Social Security card, 1941.
—. Undated letter to Camden (AL) Progressive Era.
CHAPTER 3: SWEET AUDREY FROM PIKE
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Paul Dennis, Don Helms, J. C. McNeil, Walter McNeil, Sebie Smith, Bernice Turner, 1989–1993.
Bernice Turner, Don Helms, Walter McNeil reinterviewed, 2003.
Lewis Fitzgerald, 2003.
SOURCES
Gunter, Hardrock. “A Guitarist’s Lighthearted Memoir of Hank Williams.” In Hank Williams, the Legend. Denver: Heather Enterprises, 1972.
Hall, Wade. Hell-Bent for Music. Lexington, KY: University Press of Kentucky, 1996.
Honicker, Bunny. “Rose Applauds Famed Protégé.” Undated newspaper clip, ca. 1954.
National Hillbilly News, “Fred Rose: Writer of World’s Most Powerful Folk Song Music,” December 1946.
Owen, Jim. Star Stories (radio documentary). Nashville, 1977. Pearl, Minnie. Interviewed by Country Music Foundation, undated. Hiram Brooks & Assoc. transcript provided to authors.
