The Hank Williams Connection: 33 Roots And Covers Of Hank Williams (CD)

Release Date: 12/08/23

-On the occasion of Hank Williams' 100th birthday (September 17, 2023), Bear Family Records® dedicates a CD album to one of the greatest icons of U.S. music history, featuring recordings of his idols and some of the best cover versions of his immortal songs.
-33 tunes from 1939-69 show what Hank Williams was inspired by - later recordings prove his enormous influence on the international music scene.
-Famous country music colleagues include Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Faron Young and Hank's son Hank Williams, Jr.
-Stars like Damita Jo, Ray Charles, Louis Armstrong, The Delta Rhythm Boys and others are witnesses to the great impact of Hank Williams' music across genre boundaries.
-Rarities in fantastic sound quality, including a live recording by Bobby Helms released on CD for the first time.
-The 36-page color booklet tells the story on the subject, written by renowned music journalist Bill Dahl, plus many photos and memorabilia, at times rare!

Along with Johnny Cash, Hank Williams is considered the most influential artist in country music. With few exceptions, he wrote his own songs during a career that lasted only six years, songs full of poetry, emotion and (self-)experience. His songs not only became classics, they are cult! Almost every important country musician has covered his songs. The selection was difficult. But we are sure that with this compilation in his anniversary year 2023 we will make visible the incredible impact of Hank Williams in the history of popular music.
Opening the compilation is Hank Williams, Jr. with Calling You, a track Hank Senior recorded in 1946. The list of classics that Hank Williams recorded during his short career is long. Whether it's Jambalaya, Your Cheatin' Heart, I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry, Move It On Over or Honky Tonkin', you know them all because they became indelible earworms. It is especially interesting that Hank Williams also influenced musicians working in other styles.