Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Here Are Some Facts About Hank Williams, The Godfather Of Modern-Day Country Music

Hank Williams Facts
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

With such exceptional songwriting and singing prowess that’s coupled with his distinctive voice, Hank Williams took country music by storm throughout the 1950s. He became everyone’s favorite, and his songs were played almost everywhere. 

Today, he’s one of the few artists who are able to leave a lasting impression – despite his career being cut short, only spanning six years. The heartfelt nature of his performances and the honesty of his lyrics have become the benchmark by which country artists’ are measured.

Let’s keep Hank Williams‘ legacy alive and burning through these facts.

1. He’s a native of Butler County, Alabama. 

Born Hiram Williams on September 17, 1923, the legendary singer-songwriter grew up in a small Alabama farming community near Montgomery. His father was a railroad engineer for the W. T. Smith lumber company, while his mother was a church organist. He was the youngest among three children. Sadly, his brother died two days after being born. 

2. He was named after Hiram I, the Phoenician King of Tyre, according to the Hebrew Bible. 

Williams’ parents were both followers of Freemasonry, and they got his name from King Hiram of Tyre. However, his family fondly called him Harm, while he was known as Herky or Skeets to his friends.

3. He was born with spina bifida occulta. 

Williams suffered from a back condition that caused damage to the nerves controlling lower body movements. The condition prevented Williams from playing games and being active as a child. His chronic pain – which became even worse after falling off a bull during a rodeo – and failed operation led to his addiction to painkillers and alcoholism.

4. He worked various jobs to support his family.

Sadly, Williams’ father suffered from facial paralysis when he was seven. Soon enough, the family moved to Georgiana, Alabama, where his mother worked in a cannery during the day and as a night-shift nurse at a local hospital to raise her children. What’s even unfortunate was that the family’s house burned down, and they lost everything. Williams – along with his sister – augmented the family’s income by shining shoes and selling vegetables and peanuts on the street.

5. He had guitar lessons in exchange for meals. 

Williams met street performer Rufus “Tee-Tot” Payne, who taught him chords, chord progressions, bass turns, and the musical style of accompaniment that’s often heard on Hank Williams songs. While they lost touch, Williams credited Payne as his only teacher. 

6. He landed a job at a local radio station at 13. 

Williams caught the attention of local radio station producers after winning a talent show. They then offered him his own fifteen-minute show twice a week. Williams also wrote and sang the jingle for the flour and cornmeal products that sponsored the show.

He earned $15 per show, which he used to form his own band Drifting Cowboys. He quit school and traveled with his band.

7. He is the father of a famous country singer. 

In 1944, Williams married Audrey Sheppard – however, their marriage was not considered valid as she wasn’t yet officially divorced from her first husband. The couple then worked as a team where Audrey managed Williams’ musical career. Five years later, they were blessed with a son, Hank Williams Jr. – who is today’s one of the most popular country singers. Unfortunately, their marriage did not last long.

In 1952, Williams married Billie Jean Jones. He also had a brief affair with dancer Bobbie Jett – with whom he had a daughter, Jett Williams.

8. He was fired from the Grand Ole Opry. 

Williams made country music history when he debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1949. However, he was fired three years later after missing shows due to his alcoholism.

9. He has a life-size bronze statue. 

In 1991, Montgomery, Alabama, built a life-size statue in honor of Williams – where he was wearing an embellished suit and strumming his guitar. It now stands in the center of the Riverfront Entertainment District, just a block away from the Hank Williams Museum.

10. He died on the way to his next concert. 

Williams was driven to a concert on New Year’s Day in 1953 at the Canton Memorial Auditorium in Canton, Ohio. However, he died en route in the back seat of his chauffeured Cadillac. 

Tens of thousands of fans showed up during his funeral. He was only 29. 

Well, his passing did not bring an end to his stardom. 

Williams was posthumously inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters of Fame, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. In 2010, the Pulitzer Prize Board honored Williams with a Special Citation lifetime achievement award for his contribution to music.

Truly, there are only a few performers in the realm of country music who can compare to the prominence and impact left behind by Hank Williams. 

Latest Stories

Allie Colleen performs on stage with a big smile and acoustic guitar, showing confidence and independence as she builds her music career on her own terms—far from her father Garth Brooks’ shadow.

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Says She Doesn’t Represent Him and Wants No Part of His Shadow

In a world where name-dropping can open every door in Nashville, Allie Colleen is out here trying to slam it shut. The 28-year-old country artist and youngest daughter of Garth ...

Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert Moved On, But Did They Ever Make Amends?

Country music fans watched their fairytale unfold like a damn movie until the credits rolled too soon, and the lights came up on something way messier. Blake Shelton and Miranda ...

Gwen Stefani smiles at Blake Shelton on the red carpet of the Academy of Country Music Awards—despite new song lyrics fueling speculation about trouble in their marriage.

Gwen Stefani’s New Song Is Stirring Talk of Marriage Trouble With Blake Shelton and It’s Not Just the Lyrics

It doesn’t take much to set the rumor mill spinning, but Gwen Stefani just handed it a full tank of gas and a match. Her new single “Still Gonna Love ...

Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban smile on the red carpet at the Screen Actors Guild Awards, showing off their unshakable bond—even if a professional collaboration isn’t on the table.

Nicole Kidman Reveals Disappointing News About Keith Urban and Why They Won’t Work Together

Hollywood’s favorite Aussie power couple just crushed a longtime fan dream with one word. Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban may have the kind of private fairy tale that gives tabloid ...

Cody Johnson performs at an outdoor concert in front of an American flag, shown here during a previous show, before he paused his Tailgate N Tallboys set to address anti-Trump protests and lead the crowd in a "God Bless America" sing-along.

Cody Johnson Blasts Anti-Trump Protests and His Crowd Responds With a “God Bless America” Sing-Along

Cody Johnson doesn’t tiptoe. He stomps. During his June 14 stop at the Tailgate N Tallboys festival in Bloomington, Illinois, CoJo grabbed the mic, hit pause on the hits, and ...

HARDY performing live onstage in the U.S., shown here during a past show, ahead of canceling the European leg of his Jim Bob World Tour to prioritize family and crew.

HARDY Cancels European Leg of Jim Bob World Tour Ahead of First-Ever Headlining Dates

The long-awaited European run for HARDY’s Jim Bob World Tour just hit the brakes, and fans across the pond are understandably bummed. On the morning of June 16, HARDY dropped ...

Billy Ray Cyrus stands on the red carpet in a black leather jacket and sunglasses, unintentionally becoming the center of family drama after Trace Cyrus called him out online.

Trace Cyrus Blasts Billy Ray for Skipping Grandma’s Funeral to Chase Fame and It’s About as Ugly as It Gets

When your son calls you “the l𝐚mest man to ever walk planet earth,” it’s safe to say things have gone past the point of no return. Trace Cyrus is not ...

Holly Dunn performs passionately under soft stage lights with her guitar in hand, capturing the emotion behind her heartfelt classic “Daddy’s Hands.”

Holly Dunn Wrote “Daddy’s Hands” for Her Dad and Somehow Spoke for an Entire Generation

This is the kind of song that makes grown men stare out the truck window in silence and pretend it’s just the pollen getting to them. When Holly Dunn wrote ...

Oliver Anthony belts out raw heartbreak in a dimly lit studio session, his face scrunched in pain, strumming a resonator guitar with the kind of fury only divorce can fuel.

Oliver Anthony Poured His Divorce Hell Into “Scornful Woman” and It’s Flat-Out Devastating

You can smell the smoke coming off this one before the first note even hits. Oliver Anthony isn’t one for PR gloss or neatly packaged pain. He’s raw, gravel-throated, and ...

Brad Paisley strums his guitar under a spotlight—looking like he’s about to sing the song that breaks every stepdad’s heart wide open. Not the original performance, but you can feel the same lump in your throat.

Brad Paisley’s “He Didn’t Have to Be” Is the Ultimate Tribute to Men Who Chose to Be Dad

It’s the kind of song that sneaks up on you, then hits like a freight train made of soft memories and old regrets. Before Brad Paisley was co-hosting the CMAs ...