Hank Williams - 61 years ago
Saturday, June 18, 1949 (first Prince Albert Opry appearance)
Ryman Auditorium, 116 5th Ave. North, Nashville, TN
Hank Williams: vocal, guitar; Red Foley: emcee; other musicians unknown.
As country music fans, I think we're incredibly lucky to have had a performance as important as Hank Williams's first nationally broadcast appearance on the Grand Ole Opry preserved for all time. And that's what we're presenting for today's post. We all are probably too familiar with Hank's up and down relationship with WSM and the Grand Ole Opry, but to hear him on these performances, he's confident and ready to take on the world. His first #1 hit, "Lovesick Blues," has put him on top and his followup single, "Wedding Bells," is just hitting the charts. We're fortunate to have both songs as performed on the Ryman Auditorium stage 61 years ago today. I hope you enjoy this Opry broadcast as much as I do...
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8 comments:
Thanks, it was nice to just focus on the two performances. Hank certainly was at the top of his game.
Great stuff, Joaquin. I especially liked the first photo. I had never seen that one before.
Keep up the great work.
Harlan
I wish everybody could be hearing Hank's first broadcast on the Opry and seeing the old photographs. Thanks again for another look back into the past.
Just great - love Hank! I'm really developing an appreciation for this music. Thanks.
Hank Williams had made his initial appearance the Saturday before this one on June 11, 1949, encoring six times (an unprecedented record), with Ernest Tubb introducing him onstage for the very first time. Though not recorded (Prince Albert was the network show), I do have the original program from that night.
@opryman65 - I'd love to see the program! If you have a scan of it, or can scan it and would like to share with our readers, I'd love to post it here!
Very nice... in fact exciting. Thanks Joaquin.
Don (the other "Don"!)
Very nice... in fact exciting. Thanks Joaquin.
Don (the other "Don"!)
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