The Life And Times Of Hank Williams, Sr. Quiz

Answer: Log trim engineer

Lonnie Wiliams was in bad health for most of Hank's coming of age years. Although his parents were hard workers, they were essentially very poor. Then when Hank was seven years old, his father decided to leave his little family. It is thought, by many Williams historians, that young Hank fell into a depression over the departure of his father.

In those days, counseling was not available for children of separated parents. However, the separation that Lonnie inflicted on his family was not a mutual one.

Answer: Rufus Payne

When Lonnie left his family, Hank was forced to work to help support his mother. Hank sold peanuts, newspapers, and shined shoes. There was a man that lived in Hank's poor middle class neighborhood by the name of Rufus Payne. Williams would gather around Payne and his friends and listen to the way they performed songs. Payne had a fondness for the young boy and taught him how to play the guitar. So, when at the age of fourteen Hank formed his own band, he tried to put as much of Rufus Payne into his musical prespective as he possibly could.

Answer: The Drifting Cowboys

In 1937, Hank Williams formed The Drifting Cowboys. Throughout Hank's illustrious career there were numerous 'cowboys'. The band was composed of musical talents that ranged from rhythm guitar, steel guitar, harmonica, fiddle, bass, and the accordion. Most of the men in Hank's band were with him until the time of his death. Together with Williams, they single-handedly created a country music surge.

Answer: WSFA

In 1941, Hank and The Drifting Cowboys were offered a radio deal with a local station, WSFA. On the night that Hank and his boys appeared there was such a flurry of excitement in the studio, that he became more of a celebrity than he had ever anticipated.

It was about this time that Hank met the woman who would eventually become his wife, Audrey Sheppard. In 1944, Hank proposed to Audrey and they became man and wife. Most people believe that Audrey was the backbone behind her husband and his music. From all that has been written about Hank their marriage was not a happy one, and in time he turned to drinking to drown out his sorrows.

Answer: Acuff - Rose Publishing

Upon arriving in Nashville in 1946, Hank and Audrey began going door to door to all of the songwriting agencies. They were extremely lucky when they happened upon Acuff-Rose Publishing, and its owner Frank Rose. As the story goes, Rose asked Hank to sing a song, and Hank replied 'one of my own, or a song that is out'.

In that moment Williams' fate was sealed. Rose had been on the prowl for a talented songwriter who could write and sing his own songs, and as luck would have it, in Rose's door walked Hank Williams. Williams recorded two singles for the Acuff-Rose Publishing Company: "Honky Tonkin'", and "Never Again".

Answer: MGM Records

With his two singles, "Honky Tonkin'", and "Never Again" listed as hits, MGM Records offered Hank Williams a contract in 1947. For two years Hank was busy writing and recording songs for himself and for other Country Music Artists. Hank was on his way to becoming a Country Music legend.

Answer: "Lovesick Blues"

In 1949, Williams' voice was being heard on local radio stations in his hit song, "Lovesick Blues". That same year, Williams joined the Grand Ole Opry and quickly became a favorite talent. Within one year of signing his contract with MGM Records, Hank recorded "Wedding Bells", "Long Gone Lonesome Blues", "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It (I Can't Buy No Beer)", "You're Gonna Change (Or I'm Gonna Leave)", "Cold Cold Heart", "Why Don't You Love Me", "Hey, Good Lookin'", "Honky Tonk Blues", "Lonesome Whistle", "Jambalaya", "You Win Again". Hank Williams had finally 'arrived' on the Country Music scene.

Answer: Randall Hank Williams

Randall Hank Williams was given his name by his mother, Audrey. While Randall was learning how to crawl, walk, and talk, his famous father was always out on the road touring from one state to the next. Young Randall was just three years old when his father passed away. According the Official Hank Williams, Jr. website, his mother, Audrey, was responsible for forcing her son to perform his father's music. Audrey believed that her son lacked real talent.

However, she could not have been further from the truth. Hank, Jr., always believed his father was "somewhere between God and John Wayne", and wanted to honor his father, and stake his own claim to music.

After an accident that left Hank, Jr. scarred, the young man did some deep soul searching and decided that if people wanted to see him, then he is what they would get, not an imitation of his father.

In 1970, Hank, Jr., released his first album "Hank, Jr. and Friends". It became an instant hit with his recording label and fans alike. (The direct quote can be found at www.hankjr.com)

Answer: Canton, Ohio

According to Hank Williams, Sr., historians, throughout his career Williams had become an alcoholic and was addicted to morphine. Early on New Years Day, Williams left Knoxville, Tennessee enroute to Canton, Ohio for a concert performance. The chauffeur driven Cadallic that Williams was in, was speeding down the highway when it was stopped by a police officer. Upon nearing the vehicle, the officer noted that there was a passenger in the back-seat of the car.

The passenger was slumped over and was not breathing. Hank Williams had passed away and Country Music would mourn a legend.

Answer: 1961

In 1961, Hank Williams, Sr. gained entry into the Country Music Hall Of Fame. Williams is, and will always remain, a great influence in Country Music. Many songs have been written about this truly great legend "Midnight In Montgomery", and "It's A Family Tradition" to name just a few.

In all of his songs, Hank gave so much of himself to his fans and for that we are truly grateful. All of the information contained in this quiz can be found at: www.country.com, www.rollingstone.com, www.hankjr.com, and www.angelfire.com/ny3/thedriftingcowboys. Thank you for taking this quiz. I hope that you enjoyed it.