Country Music History September 17

Today we celebrate the birthdate of a country giant.  Hank Williams was born in 1923 in Mount Olive, Alabama.  Hank's life and career ended all too early at the age of 29.  I have read several biographies about Hank and he lead a sad, lonely life, reflected in many of his songs such as "Oh, Lonesome Me".  He also suffered from alcoholism.  On the 75th anniversary of his birth, the Country Music Hall of Fame dedicated a bronze statue of the singer.  At the ceremony were his children, Hank Jr. and Jett Williams, who met that day for the first time.

In 1977, Reba McEntire made her first Grand Ole Opry appearance singing Patsy Cline's "Sweet Dreams".

And in 2005, "Islands in the Stream" by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton was named #1 on the "CMT 100 Greatest Duets".