S2101

American Music

Hank Williams

Collins Cover Announcement

LEGENDS OF AMERICAN MUSIC

Hank Williams 

The creator of "Rockabilly" music, which was sort of a bridge between country music and rock '11 roll, is honored on this U.S. stamp. Hank Williams was known as the "Hillbilly Shakespeare" because he is recognized as one of country music's greatest songwriters. Some of his most famous songs were "Your Cheatin' Heart"; "Hey, Good Lookin—; "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"; and "Cold, Cold Heart".

He was born on September 17, 1923 in Alabama and began performing at a Montgomery radio station in 1936. A year later at age 14 he formed his first band, the Drifting Cowboys. In 1947 he moved to Nashville and became very popular through his frequent appearances on the "Grand Ole Opry" radio program.

Some of his hits were "Jambalaya"; "Rootie Tootie"; and, "Move It On Over". My hand-painted cachet captures Hank as he appears at the Grand Ole Opry on radio station WSM. He strums his guitar and sings into the mike bringing his up-beat style into homes across America. As you look at the happy face in my cachet I like to imagine him performing a lively rendition of "Hey, Good Lookin'".

Tragically, the career of this gifted performer was cut short when he died of a heart attack at the age of 29 while on his way to a performance. The stamp is fittingly canceled Nashville, Tennessee on the First Day of Issue. One of country music's greatest performers and a legend in his own time. Hank Williams. Item #S2101. $10.75.