Williams, Hank, 1923-1953

LC control no.	n 81140112
Descriptive conventions	rda
LC classification	ML420.W55 Biography
Personal name heading	Williams, Hank, 1923-1953 *Browse this term in* LC Authorities or the LC Catalog
Variant(s)	Luke, the Drifter, 1923-1953 Williams, Hiram Hank, 1923-1953 Williams, Hank, Sr., 1923-1953
See also	Corporate body: Drifting Cowboys *Browse this term in* LC Authorities
Birth date	1923-09-17
Death date	1953
Profession or occupation	Country musicians
Found in	Lost highway and other folk ballads. [Phonodisc] 1964. Long gone lonesome blues [SR] p1987: container (Hank is making MGM disks under the moniker Luke the Drifter) His Hank Williams, the complete lyrics, 1993: CIP t.p. (Hank Williams, Sr.) ASCAP biog. dict., 4th ed. (Williams, Hiram Hank, Sr., b. 9/17/23; d. 1952) Claghorn, C.E. Biog. dict. of Amer. music (Williams, Hank, Sr.; b. 1923; d. 1953) AllMusic WWW site, Nov. 2, 2018 (Country star Hank Williams had been using the name the Drifting Cowboys since the late 30s, and he employed an existing group, the Alabama Rhythm Boys, as the Drifting Cowboys in 1943. The line-up only became consistent after Hank Williams appeared at the Grand Ole Opry in 1949 and realized the need for a permanent band. He employed Jerry Rivers (b. 25 August 1928, Miami, Florida, USA, d. 4 October 1996, Hermitage, Tennessee, USA; fiddle), Bob McNett (b. 16 October 1925, Roaring Branch, Pennsylvania, USA; guitar), Hillous Butrum (b. 21 April 1928, Lafayette, Tennessee, USA, d. 27 April 2002, Nashville, Tennessee; bass) and Don Helms (b. 28 February 1927, New Brockton, Alabama, USA; steel guitar). There were no drums as the instrument was not favoured in country circles. In 1951, McNett and Butrum were replaced, respectively, by Sammy Pruett, who had been in the Alabama Rhythm Boys with Helms, and Howard Watts. In 1976 the original line-up re-formed for radio shows with compere Grant Turner and comedian the Duke of Paducah) <https://www.allmusic.com/artist/drifting-cowboys-mn0001008544>