How Hank Williams Shaped the Future: A Legacy Timeline

How the contributions of Hank Williams continue to shape the world today.

Hank Williams was a highly influential American singer-songwriter of the 20th century. He achieved significant success with 55 singles reaching the Billboard Country & Western Best Sellers chart's top 10, including 12 number-one hits. Even after his death, his music continued to resonate, with five posthumously released singles also reaching the top 10. Williams' impact on country music remains profound.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Legacy & Impact

1922: Original release of Lovesick Blues

In 1922, Lovesick Blues, which Hank Williams would later make famous, was originally released and made popular by Rex Griffin.

1949: "Lovesick Blues" Inducted into Grammy Hall of Fame

In 2010, Hank Williams's 1949 MGM number one hit, "Lovesick Blues", was inducted into the Recording Academy Grammy Hall of Fame.

January 1953: MGM Records Reduced Releases Due to Demand for Williams's Music

In January 1953, MGM Records reduced their planned releases from 12 to 6 to meet the high demand for Hank Williams's music. The label also had 3,000 direct requests for pictures of the singer.

January 1953: Posthumous Release of "Your Cheatin' Heart"

In late January 1953, after Hank Williams's death, "Your Cheatin' Heart" was released. The song, backed by "Kaw-Liga", topped the country charts for six weeks.

April 1953: Release of "Take These Chains From My Heart"

In April 1953, "Take These Chains From My Heart" was released and reached No. 1 on the country charts.

April 1953: Production Backlog at MGM Pressing Plant

In April 1953, MGM Records estimated that back orders of Hank Williams's records, and those by other artists would cover the production of their Bloomfield, New Jersey, pressing plant until April 1953.

May 1953: Audrey Williams Files Lawsuit Against MGM and Acuff-Rose

In May 1953, Audrey Williams filed a lawsuit in Nashville against MGM Records and Acuff-Rose, demanding continued royalty payments from Hank Williams's records due to the lack of a will.

August 19, 1953: Settlement Agreement with Billie Jean Horton

On August 19, 1953, Billie Jean Horton signed an agreement accepting US$30,000, ceasing use of "Mrs. Hank Williams" title, revealing location of horse and returning items. Lilly Williams became the legal guardian of the estate.

1954: First "Hank Williams Day" Celebration

In 1954, the first celebration of "Hank Williams Day" featured the unveiling of a monument at the Cramton Bowl. Ferlin Husky performed "I Saw the Light" at the ceremony.

February 8, 1960: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

On February 8, 1960, Hank Williams's star was placed at 6400 Hollywood Boulevard on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1961: Induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame

In 1961, Hank Williams was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, recognizing his significant contributions to country music.

1963: Wesley Rose Contacts Irene Regarding Copyright Renewals

In 1963, Wesley Rose contacted Irene regarding the copyright renewals with Acuff-Rose. Rose offered US$25,000, which Irene accepted to prevent Williams's daughter from making a claim in the future.

1964: Release of "Your Cheatin' Heart" Biographical Film

In 1964, the biographical film "Your Cheatin' Heart", starring George Hamilton as Hank Williams, was released.

1966: Alabama Judge Confirms Irene Williams's Guardianship

In 1966, an Alabama judge determined that the guardianship of Williams's estate belonged to Irene Williams, and confirmed the validity of the copyright renewal deal. Cathy's adoptive parents were contacted by a lawyer, but they refused to contest the ruling.

1967: Hank Williams, Jr. Declared Sole Heir

In 1967, Hank Williams, Jr. was declared the only heir to the estate by a judge.

1970: Induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame

In 1970, Hank Williams was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame, honoring his songwriting achievements.

October 22, 1975: Billie Jean Horton Ruled Common-Law Wife

On October 22, 1975, a federal judge in Atlanta, Georgia, ruled that Billie Jean Horton was Williams's common-law wife, and that part of the copyright renewals of the songs belonged to her.

1978: "Your Cheatin' Heart" Voted Favorite Record by Truck Drivers

In 1978, the American Truckers Benevolent Association voted "Your Cheatin' Heart" as their favorite record of all time in the Truck Drivers' Country Music Awards.

1980: Movie adaptation of stage play 'Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave'

A 1980 movie adaptation of the stage play "Hank Williams: The Show He Never Gave" was produced for television, starring Sneezy Waters.

1985: Induction into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame

In 1985, Hank Williams was inducted into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

1987: Induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 1987, Hank Williams was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame under the "Early Influence" category and received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award.

1989: Cathy Recognized as Heir of Williams's Estate

After a decision by the Supreme Court of Alabama in 1989, Cathy was recognized as an heir of the estate of Williams. She later changed her name to Jett Williams.

1993: Release of "Health & Happiness Show" Recordings

In 1993, a double-disc set of Hank Williams's recordings for the "Health & Happiness Show" was released, originally broadcast in 1949 for the promotion of Hadacol.

1994: Publication of "Hank Williams: The Biography"

In 1994, Colin Escott's book Hank Williams: The Biography was published.

1997: Lawsuit to Block Release of Recordings

In 1997, The Legacy Entertainment Group was sued by PolyGram and the heirs of Williams to block the release of recordings. A lawyer for Legacy Entertainment Group attempted to prevent the heirs of Williams from releasing the recordings. The Universal Music Group then claimed ownership of the shows.

1999: Induction into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame

In 1999, Hank Williams was inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame.

2001: Success of "Hank Williams: Timeless" Tribute Album

After the 2001 tribute album, "Hank Williams: Timeless" won a Grammy Award for country album of the year, there was heightened interest in similar projects, including a potential collaboration with Bob Dylan.

2002: Move of Song Notebooks to Sony ATV Music Offices

In 2002, the vault containing Hank Williams's unpublished song notebooks was moved to the offices of Sony ATV Music when it acquired Acuff-Rose.

2003: Ranked Second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music

In 2003, Hank Williams was ranked second in CMT's 40 Greatest Men of Country Music, behind Johnny Cash.

2004: Ranked in Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time

In 2004, Rolling Stone ranked Hank Williams number 74 on its list of the 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

2005: Featured in BBC Documentary Series "Arena"

In 2005, Hank Williams was featured in an episode of the BBC documentary series "Arena".

January 2006: Court Upholds Heirs' Rights to Recordings

In January 2006, the Tennessee Court of Appeals upheld a lower court ruling stating that Williams's heirs, including son Hank Williams Jr. and daughter Jett Williams, have the sole rights to sell his recordings.

2008: Time-Life Releases 'Unreleased Recordings'

In 2008, Time-Life released "Unreleased Recordings", a selection of numbers pertaining to the Mother's Best Flour shows.

April 12, 2010: Posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Citation

On April 12, 2010, the Pulitzer Prize Board awarded Hank Williams a posthumous special citation for his contributions to country music.

2010: Posthumous Pulitzer Prize Special Citation

In 2010, Hank Williams was posthumously awarded a Pulitzer Prize Special Citation for his songwriting and its impact on country music.

2010: Time-Life Releases 'The Complete Mothers' Best Recordings... Plus!'

In 2010, Time-Life released a 15-CD box-set containing all of the recordings remastered by sound engineer Joe Palmaccio entitled "The Complete Mothers' Best Recordings... Plus!".

October 4, 2011: Release of "The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams"

On October 4, 2011, the album "The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams" was released, featuring contributions from various artists, including Bob Dylan and Holly Williams.

2011: Re-release of "Health & Happiness Show" as "The Legend Begins"

In 2011, the "Health & Happiness Show" set was re-released as "Hank Williams: The Legend Begins", including unreleased songs and early recordings.

May 2014: Release of "The Garden Spot Programs, 1950" Radio Recordings

In May 2014, further radio recordings by Hank Williams were released as "The Garden Spot Programs, 1950", a series of publicity segments for Naughton Farms originally aired in 1950.

2016: Release of Biopic "I Saw the Light"

In 2016, the biopic "I Saw the Light", based on Colin Escott's book, was released, starring Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams.

2021: Release of Debut Single by Great-Grandson Coleman Finchum

In 2021, Hank Williams's great-grandson Coleman Finchum, son of Hank Williams III, released his debut single credited to IV and the Strange Band.

September 17, 2023: Hank Williams Day Proclaimed in Montgomery

On September 17, 2023, Hank Williams Day was proclaimed in Montgomery, Alabama, during a wreath-laying ceremony at his graveside, marking the 100th anniversary of his birth.