Jambalaya: The Mix of Music that Made Hank Williams

Written By Michael Black

Hank Williams is widely recognized as the father of modern country music. He is one of the rare performers from the past century that has left a legacy that has only strengthened after his died. His influence can be heard from the airwaves of Nashville to the honky-tonk bars of Austin. Beloved by fans and music lovers, he has a first name recognition that very few people have gained throughout time. His fans know him simply as Hank. While Hank Williams will undoubtedly be remembered by history as one of country music's greats, he could do more than write a good country song. His versatility and exposure to other styles often goes overlooked. Hank's musical roots were strong and diverse. As people from today draw from Hank's music for inspiration, at one time Hank was also a student of music. It was his knowledge and appreciation of other styles that helped diversify his approach and made his music influential to not only hopeful country singers but to any person that is an aspiring musical entertainer.

Like many music lovers, his passion for music started at a home. Music was a regular part of Hank's life at a very young age. His mother, Lilly, was a church organist and "provided her son's basic introductions to music by way of hymns and southern gospel songs" (Byworth). By the time of Hank's birth, southern gospel music had undergone transformation that, "emphasized more down-to-earth, homely, and even topical metaphors" (Kingman, 166). This likely had a big impact on Hank's lyrical style that has been noted to "express the full range of hillbilly sentiments"(Peterson, 178). Furthermore, gospel music relied heavily upon the verse-chorus form that Hank himself would eventually use (Kingman, 167). This religious music background was obviously a strong part of Hank's influences as he wrote and recorded many religious songs himself.

Page 1 of Jambalaya: The Mix of Music that Made Hank Williams
Page 2 of Jambalaya: The Mix of Music that Made Hank Williams
Page 3 of Jambalaya: The Mix of Music that Made Hank Williams
Page 4 of Jambalaya: The Mix of Music that Made Hank Williams