It's hard to believe that on January 1, 2001, Hank Williams will have been gone from us 48 years. He was only on this earth 29 years with a music career that spanned less then ten years, but no one since has had such an impact on country music. One of the things that makes Hank so special is the fact that Hank wrote almost all of the songs he ever sang.

Hank, born on September 17, 1923 in Georgiana, Alabama always had things tough even as youngster. First of all he was born with spinal bifida (which in his case was never treated leading to a life filled with pain) His father a shell shocked veteran of WW 1 spent most of the early years of Hanks life in the hospital, and Lillian a no nonsense lady with Hank and a daughter to support had to squeak out a living for her young family. A young Hank contributed when he could.. selling peanuts, and shining shoes in the small Alabama community where they lived.

On the positive side, Hank showed signs of being musically inclined at an early age, learning how to play a horn at age ten and by age 14 having taught himself to play guitar and not long after being in a band and getting to be on the radio. In 1937, Hank formed his band "The Drifting Cowboys," and they made the rounds of the Alabama Honky Tonks. Those years leading up to World War 2 were pretty hard, and at one time Hank quit singing to take a job as a welder in the ship yards.

Mentioning Fred Rose... it has always been said that he was the "brains" behind the whole success of Hank Williams and that he deserved more then a little songwriting credit for Hank's songs.

Hank made his debut on the Grand Old Opry on June 11th 1949. It is said that he recieved thunderous applause that night and was asked to keep singing much to his suprise and delight.

In 1950, Hank was the most popular and in demand of all the country stars singing. He and The Drifting Cowboys even traveled to Germany to entertain the military troops there.

In 1952, Hank and Ms. Audrey, whose relationship had always been stormy, divorced due to his rumored womanizing and drinking. It is said that there are two sides to every story and I would have loved to hear those two tell their "stories."

Shortly after his divorce from Ms. Audrey, his career in a slump, due to his chronic back pain and the pills and alcohol he took to take the edge off his emotional and physical pain, Hank met a young lady named Billie who just happened to be in the company of Faron Young at the time, and soon made her his bride, not once, but twice, in a public ceremony that they charged people to come and see.

We all know how the story tragically ends, and how the promotion to legend status of Hank Williams begins. I prefer not to dwell on it. Instead, I would like to mention a few of my favorite Hank Williams songs.

If I had to pick an all time favorite Hank song it would have to be "Rockin' Chair Money." It's an upbeat song in the style of "Honky Tonkin'."

"A Teardrop On A Rose" is a beautiful haunting song. I can't imagine anyone singing it as well as Hank.

"You're Gonna Change Or I'm Gonna Leave" is an awesome sad song about a relationship that is just not working out. To me it really sounds like the story of Hank and Ms. Audrey.

My favorite Hank CDs:

• Alone With His Guitar
• The Hits Volume 2