S.O.D. "Howlin' at the Moon" by Hank Williams Sr.

8/22/2015     A short life led by this most influential singer-songwriter and guitarist.  Born Hiram King Williams in 1923 in Mount Olive, Butler County Alabama, he eventually moved to Georgiana, Alabama where he met a black street performer named Rufus Payne.  Payne gave him guitar lessons in exchange for meals and money. It was during this time that he informally changed his name to Hank and moved to Montgomery, Alabama where his music career began at age 14 in 1937.  Payne would have a huge influence on Williams' musical style as he did with the other country performers such as Roy Acuff and Earnest Tubb.  

     Williams' first job as a musician was hosting a 15 minute radio program for WSFA.  He then formed his backup band, the Drifting Cowboys, managed by his mother, and dropped out of high school to pursue his career.  He married singer-songwriter Audrey Sheppard who managed his career for a decade. In 1948 he wrote and released "Move It on Over" of which most of us know the cover version by George Thorogood.  A year later his cover version of "Lovesick Blues" took him into the mainstream of music and after first being rejected, he joined the Grand Ole Opry.  Eventually his alcoholism and prescription drug addiction would cause him to be released by the Opry.  

     Williams did everything from natural skill and could not really read or notate music.  He has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame and has won several awards, some posthumously.  This tune is a 1951 release which reflects Williams' sense of humor and love of hunting.