In 1952 I was 6 years old, Hank played Live at the calabrese club, in Westerly RI. I was 6 years old, I went to see him with my uncles and my grandfather. I will never forget it. I remember it like it was yesterday. At my uncle funeral 40 years later the played all of Hank Williams songs, I sat there in tears.
When I was a child my mom had a little red radio that sat on top of the refrigerator. On Sunday evening there was a program called "The Louisana Hayride". I remember Hank Williams singing on it! That is when I fell in love with "Country" music. I am now 85 years old and will be 86 on January 3rd, 2023 and it is still "my music" Thanks to the internet I can set up a queue of this music and listen to Waylon, Willie, and the boys' AKA The Highway Men, and all of the rest of "OLD" singers. Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Kenny Rogers, to name a few!
Louisiana Hayride was the “Junior Varsity” of the Grand Ole’ Opry. Up & Coming Artists were signed and toured with the show to build a following as they honed their craft. Hank played with them on his way to the Opry and then again after he was kicked-out of the Opry. At the time, clinical depression was regarded as a “mental weakness” and alcohol addiction was regarded as a “character flaw”, not as the disease that we know it to be today. There was no medical treatment for either. People spiraled downward and suffered, trying to hide their issue from others, until they simply died. In Hank’s case, he suffered from an inherited case of Spina Bifida and became addicted to choralhydrate which was known at the time as “Mickey Finn” or “Mickey”. Today, know it as the “Date Rape” drug because it incapacitates or knocks-out the user completely. He was in such chronic pain, it was the only way he could sleep. I had severe nerve pain from an elbow injury (which fortunately healed). However, it was brutal. I remarked to my wife that I now understood how why some people commit suicide because the pain is unbearable without medication. Hard to understand unless you’ve experienced it. Absolutely brutal. As such, having temporarily experienced nerve pain, I have a lot of sympathy for Hank Sr. that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
I'm so lonesome I could cry saved me from a dark time in my life after losing my 1st and only son. So in 2006 we had our only little girl that I named Audrey after Miss Audrey Williams. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video with us.
@@featheredcoyote5477 it was bloody good mate of u to name your boy after bocephus. I want to come over and see his grave mate! Australia loves bocephus
My parents listened to Hank Williams when I was young. ( 63 now ). I knew then how good he was, but I appreciate how good he was now. Thanks Mom & Dad.
I worked with Sammy Pruett, one of Hank's Drifting Cowboys, at Gibson Guitars in Nashville in the late 70s. He became my good friend and as long as I bought the Jack Daniels, he'd tell me all of the Hank stories I wanted to hear! I was a teenager and he took me under his wing. He was a good man. I held him in high esteem, and I'll always remember him. Rest in peace, Sammy.
Hank Williams Greatest Hits was the first album I ever bought. Saved my money when I was a kid, about 8, bought it at the grocery store on ‘ double stamps’ day. Thanks for posting the interview!
Garrett Bain • I first listened to hanks music when I was 3 or 4 years,old with my grandpa on my mother's side of the,family, I would sit with him in his bedroom and we would listen to his hank Williams SR records on his record player I'm 59 years old now and will never forget those great times my grandpa was a retired welder and back in the late 1940s or early 1950s my grandpa and his oldest sister and brother in law went and seen hank sr in Michigan my grandpa said he talked to hank before he went on stage he said people were crying when hank would sing those sad songs he also said the people wouldnt let him off the stage he said they kept encoreing him. I believe what my grandpa said i never knew him to lie.when,i lived in georgia in the 1980s I'm from east Tennessee johnson city me and my x,wife would come to visit my family in Tennessee and I would go to my grandparents house and me and my grandpa would listen to his hank Williams sr records. Don helms was the greatest steel guitar player there ever was.
I was brought up in Country Music and Hank Williams Senior was my favorite as a small child I still remember all the songs played on the old record player my mother loaded up. This song "Your Cheating heart has kept company with me for many years now.
Hank is the heart of country music.The simple reason it will never sound like that again is nobody can copy it.He definitely needs reinstated in the Grand Old Opry
Over and over I say the same thing. The nuggets of pure Gold in these interviews never ceases to not just amaze, but stagger me. Man, I’m speechless, but no one would have guessed this about such a monumental hit. Jeez.
My God, this one is sprinkled with so many gold nuggets. Thanks to this interview, I have been able to fill in and better understand one of my earliest childhood memories. Riding in the back seat of my parents 53 Ford, where the AM radio was always playing, I still remember asking them who that man was, singing those sad songs. We took so many road trips from where we lived in San Antonio, Texas, to my mother's birthplace in Nashville, Tennessee, during the 50's and 60's. Hank's records were always playing on the radio stations we would find, then lose, work that dial until we found another one, over and over again as we made our way through Texas, Arkansas, and ultimately Tennessee. My father was a road warrior, who didn't believe in stopping unless it was for gas, using the rest room, or preventing starvation. Being in the car 22 - 24 hours, meant a whole lot of radio. Thanks, Joe for collecting the history of so many great songwriters and performers.
Hi William.... Those road trips during that time actually sounds like fun to me right now knowing you got to listen to local stations and D.J’s playing iconic Country records. I’m sure you treasure those memories now.... Thanks for sharing those memories with everyone... Thanks for watching... Best............... Joe
William B. I have memories just the same my dad was in the army and we always traveled the roads once my dad pulled over and got my mother out of the car and danced on the side of the road Memories are made of this The good ole days
!! I know exactly what You are talkin' about. My Uncle Ed Parks loved to drive the highways in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, Minnesota...most of my Summer weekends were spent rolling down the backroads of the Midwest. Radio playing Country music, my Uncle was a big Hank Sr. fan along with George Jones, Merle, Ernest T., He had taught himself to play guitar and he had a pretty decent singing voice for Hank Sr. and George Jones songs. I could never kick the habit those weekend rambles instilled in me. I've spent the great majority of my Life rollin' along the lines of that Lost Highway.
Wow. One take. Those guys were locked in. My parents had a Hank Williams greatest hits album that I listened to, and pretended I was playing guitar with it.
I love how humble all these legends are. They just seem like the most regular guys you'd ever meet but they lived incredible lives but don't surround themselves with all the pomp and circumstance the modern "stars" do. I'm 38 and a lifelong east TN resident and some of my earliest memories in life are of my great mamaw singing Hank Williams word for word and giving me an interest in his music. I was a fan then. I'm a fan now. I will keep on being one as well. Thanks for this awesome upload.
Found out 15 years ago, that I had a cousin who played steel guitar in Hank Williams Sr's band, in the late 1940's. I assumed, that he was already deceased. He wasn"t, but I didn't know, until he was gone. He didn't live far from my cabin in Alabama. If I'd realized, that he was still around, I'd have gone & asked him about Hank. My cousin's name was Robert D Norred.. He was originally from Sylacauga, Alabama & died in 2009.
I had the privilege of meeting Don in May of 2004 in Brooklin Ontario.He was playing with a local band.I talked with him for about 10 minutes before he went on.I wish I could have talked with him for a couple of hours.I peppered him with questions about Hank and Johnny Cash among others.I never realized till then that Don was on so many songs I'd heard for years,such as Lefty Frizzells Long lack veil, Lorettas Don't come home a drinkin, Blue Kentucky girl,The home you're tearin down and Patsy Clines original version of Walking after midnight, to name just a few.It certainly was a thrill to meet him. RIP Don.
WOW. What an interview. Joe you're the luckiest guy in the world for having been able to interview these guys. The rest of us are lucky enough to have you present them to us! Kudos, Ace!
This was a great interview Loved Hank. If it wasn’t for that back pain he would have lasted longer. Only God knows how many more hits he would have made. R I P. To the greatest.
I always feel that people like him, Hendrix, folks like that, died at just the right time. Doesn't seem fair to us, but it was just meant to be the way it is for some reason.
@@steveendicott1855 Spina Bifida was the back pain. He's saying if not born with the Spina Bifida, he might've not drank himself so hard (one of the reasons he died).
@@arcticchod5370 Those of us born about after 1970 benefit from the discovery that adding folic acid (folate) to a pregnant women’s diet early in pregnacy prevents their babies from developing Spina Bifida. This led to prenatal vitamins and the wise addition of folic acid (folate) to store-bought cereals and bread. Check your cereal box. Spina Bifida and Cleft Lip (related) have pretty much disappeared from the US and other countries that do this. Hank’s spinal condition, "Spina Bifida Obscurans," gave him terrible back pain. This was actually a "mild" version of Spina Bifida since he wasn’t born paralyzed from the waist down. I apologize for going on ~~ I was born a tiny preemie and became a nurse and music educator. I’m grateful for the medical discoveries that made my life long and good. Hank Williams RIP.
When I think your last video has moved me the most, you continue to surprise. Man, Merle is my favorite, but I grew up with Hank and Lefty, too...my Grandpa loved them, and so did all of us cousins. Your Cheatin Heart might be the first song I could play and sing. Thanks, Joe, that man is legend on the steel.
These interviews are precious. Thanks for posting in these troubled times. Very happy to perceive the channel makes no distinction amongst race since music is an universal language for all. Greetings from my 3 month isolation period at home in Brazil.
The last person to sing with Hank on stage was Doug Sahm from the"Sir Douglas Quintet" 11years old at the time,it was December 19,1952. At the Skyline Club in Austin Texas..Great interview Beautiful Story. Thank You so Much.
I've watched this over and over... it still gives me the chills. Thank you for doing these interviews! To think, Cheating Heart was done in one take..... Not many can say that these days.
I loved Don Helms steel guitar fills on the Hank Williams songs. So high and full of energy. It set off the vocals perfectly. My favorite is Setting the Woods On Fire.
Wow! This guy!!! HANK WILLIAM'S STEEL PLAYER. He has to be in all time top five musician/soloists. Can not imagine having to play that funeral like that, too much to see from the stage. They played the right song for sure. Thank you for your great interview, to hear how Hank worked? Awesome.. Billy Cobham Hendrix's bass player was best Hendrix interview too.
As a traveling outlaw country singer and huge Hank fan, this was a profound interview. What days and honky tonk nights those must have been. Thank you for sharing.
Mr. Helms was such a gem! Every interview is a treasure chest of memories. I’m 43 and Mr. Hank Williams is all I ever want to listen to-legend! Thanks for uploading 👏
Thank You Don Helms...Awesome story.. "Your Cheating Heart" Hank never lost his love for his first wife..Hank will never be replaced, True Country singer and writer of all time..the BEST
It's so incredible how you are drawn in and feel like it just happened, and not so long ago. All the great musicians in their own right, who were in attendance for service speaks volumes about Hank's talent.
Don Helms possesses a fine, unhesitating memory. As well the 1964 movie, "Your Cheatin Heart" (Starring George Hamilton and the late Susan OLiver) ends at the death of Hank with A VERY MOVING Singing of "I Saw The Light". It is one of my favorite movies as it truly gives one the essence of Hank Williams.
patrick ryan I was 9 years old when my parents took me to the theater to see that movie. It was a very well done film and always stuck with me throughout my life. Do you know if there is any way to see it again? My parents loved Hank Williams Sr. and I would love to watch it again as my parents have passed now.
Wow !! I viewed this 3x's in a roll just outstanding Great job Joe & Thanks. Mr. Helms also play on Patsy Walkin After Midnight and Stonewalls Waterloo.. a true talent RIP sir.
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Just watched the Billy Sherrill interview. You're one lucky dude to have gotten access to these legends of the industry. Can't thank you enough for having the pleasure to hear them. Out-freakin-standing.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Helms once. He was supposed to play at a Jet Williams show but the show was rain delayed and eventually canceled. Don came out to set up his guitar and talk with the small crowd. I waited my turn. Don was patiently answering questions about Hank I am sure he had been asked a million times. It soon was my turn to talk to him and told him I wanted to shake his hand, thank him for the music and that I was learning the steel guitar. His eyes lit up, and he spent an hour talking about guitars, amps and sessions he had played on. He was so gracious with his time. Eventually the show was canceled and everyone started loading up. I offered to help him pack up his gear. He declined. I confess while his back was turned I reached out and quickly touched his guitar. I didn't get to hear him play but I did get to hang out with him. One of my most cherished memories. Rest in peace, Don. .
don was an intrinsic facet to hank's sound, more than a witness to his life events, he was an archivist. after hank, he continued to be a big player in the country sound quickly developing in nashville. i remember well when don passed in '08. he was the last living remnant tied to hank's brief but blessed time on this earth and i know still remains hank's greatest ally.
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum your welcome. I’m an old school person who absolutely loves Country music. Anything connected to it I’m there. Thank again for the wonderful post
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Joe. This was a wonderful interview with Don. I'm pushing 70 now and Hank is my all time favorite. Keep up the great work you do.
I don't know how I missed this interview, but for some reason I haven't watched it until now. Of all the interviews you've done, for me this one is the most profoundly moving and historically interesting. I wish it was an hour longer. I think that the recordings Don made with Hank Williams are the ultimate pinnacle of country music. To this day as far as I'm concerned, everyone else is in Hank's shadow. Don's influence as a musician is enormous. It's simply amazing to hear him describe how "Your Cheatin' Heart" was recorded in one take. But then all his other recordings were done in similar circumstances, which is phenomenal. For me there's some kind of divine inspiration at work that defies words.
Hi Joe.... thanks for sharing your thoughts and watching our channel. Since you wanted to hear more of this interview I’ll share a short story about it with you. I filmed this interview in my office at our original museum location. It was the first time I had met Don and frankly I don’t feel I was that good of a interviewer back then. At the time UA-cam was not on my radar and the thought of these interviews being seen anywhere other than on small flat screens throughout the museum hallways was never dreamed of. I never wore a mic on these interviews. I didn’t want to be heard. I just wanted to share interesting stories from the interviewees. Luckily for youtube usage all these years later, my questions for the most part could be heard. Don had answered most every question I thought we needed for the museum purposes so we ended the interview and I turned the camera off. Most of these musicians I interviewed were nervous as they were not often asked to tell their stories, at least back then.Don too was kinda nervous but once we cut off the camera and everything went well he like many others guys I had interviewed relaxed. He now kinda knew me and I think he enjoyed our talk. As I was thanking him and his wife for meeting with me and about to say goodbye Don said “ Hey... I forgot to tell tell you something... would you mind turning that camera back on? I said sure... what he said next was the story you just watched. I was stunned!! I’m glad you enjoyed too... Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum HI Joe--- you are performing an extremely valuable service to the history of country music and American popular music in general, with all the interviews and the work you do. All these great musical legends of the past are almost all gone now. I think it's very important to record their memories for future generations. I'm glad I grew up in the era when so much amazing and incredible music was being made by so many wonderful people. The older I get, the more it amazes me. Merry Christmas and all the best in 2021.
Well Hanck was the Best that hase. Ever Bean OR ever will Be an the ones that wear with him wear the BEAST TO as speshly the one that is doin the intervew
Don's recollection of names and places, tour dates etc is incredible. His insight into the Country Music in its early days is extremely valuable. The way he nonchalantly tosses out names like Jerry Byrd and Fred Rose and Owen Bradley shows the level of friendship and respect he had for those guys. By the way, Jerry Byrd was Hanks steel player on Mansion On The Hill My Sweet Love Aint Around , Honky Tonkin, I'll Be A Bachelor Till I Die (wherein Jerry Byrd takes Hawaiian style steel guitar to a new level). Many thanks to the Musicians Hall of Fame for posting vids like this.
Hey Vince, My dad, Joe, passed September 28th, but I know he would have appreciated your kind words. Thank you for your support of the channel. If you haven’t been to the museum, I hope you can visit one day. Best, Britt
I live next door in Bob Loyce Moore's M-N-L apt on his estate. He is 88 and still kicking! He was on the original Nashville A team. You should hear the stories!
I got to Play a show with Don a few weeks before he passed... I sang Half as Much and may you never be alone... It was surreal looking over his shoulder next to me playing Ol Red.... It didn't matter what guitar he had The magic was strictly in his hands... I've never been so humbled or grateful in my life as I was for that short time... He was a national treasure
Thank you very much Joe for the great job you've done with all these interviews. You are compiling a lot of history that would otherwise only remain in some people.
Thank you AMP.... I really appreciate you saying that... I’m also very happy you’re enjoying them. I’ve been sitting on these for years not knowing if they were good enough to share but also not really understanding how UA-cam worked until late last year. Luckily when this Corona deal happened and shooting new in person interviews became impossible I started going through these cases of video tapes and giving them a shot on UA-cam and they seem to be well received. Hopefully again they’ll last until we get a cure for Corona and start making new ones again... Best.... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thank you for responding to my comment and I hope you are safe and we can soon enjoy further interviews. Greetings from Spain.
I remember i broke down and cried when i read the book"sing a sad song".I said too my self how can a man do that too him self?Then i read the rest of the story about the spinal bifida.Hank i hope you know that everyone and their cousins have covered jambalaya.They can't get enough of it.🗽👍💕
Thank you for sharing this. I loved this...!!❤ I've never heard these stories before. I'm glad folks like him shared these stories, because once they're gone we'll never get to know about these amazing stories again. It makes me sad and mad when they tear down the old buildings that have so much history and turn them into a parking lot or a stupid ole car wash. That is so frustrating. Anyway thanks again for sharing this with us. ❤👍
Hi Bonnie, my dad, Joe, passed September 28th… I know he would have appreciated your kind comments. Thank you for supporting the channel, hope you can visit the museum if you haven’t already. Merry Christmas, Britt
Joe, another awesome interview, and Don was a great story teller! I got to see the Drifting Cowboys playing with Jett back in the early 90’s, an event I’ll never forget! Keep up your great work!💫
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum no Thank You, for takin your time to talk to a legend , and share it with all us. Hanks voice n Robert Johnsons voice , you can hear the real,the day to day, chilling...
In 1952 I was 6 years old, Hank played Live at the calabrese club, in Westerly RI. I was 6 years old, I went to see him with my uncles and my grandfather. I will never forget it. I remember it like it was yesterday. At my uncle funeral 40 years later the played all of Hank Williams songs, I sat there in tears.
Did he sound different live than on his recordings? I imagine it was much clearer considering recording technology at the time
I was -10😂
When I was a child my mom had a little red radio that sat on top of the refrigerator. On Sunday evening there was a program called "The Louisana Hayride". I remember Hank Williams singing on it! That is when I fell in love with "Country" music. I am now 85 years old and will be 86 on January 3rd, 2023 and it is still "my music" Thanks to the internet I can set up a queue of this music and listen to Waylon, Willie, and the boys' AKA The Highway Men, and all of the rest of "OLD" singers. Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn, and Kenny Rogers, to name a few!
Louisiana Hayride was the “Junior Varsity” of the Grand Ole’ Opry. Up & Coming Artists were signed and toured with the show to build a following as they honed their craft.
Hank played with them on his way to the Opry and then again after he was kicked-out of the Opry.
At the time, clinical depression was regarded as a “mental weakness” and alcohol addiction was regarded as a “character flaw”, not as the disease that we know it to be today. There was no medical treatment for either. People spiraled downward and suffered, trying to hide their issue from others, until they simply died.
In Hank’s case, he suffered from an inherited case of Spina Bifida and became addicted to choralhydrate which was known at the time as “Mickey Finn” or “Mickey”. Today, know it as the “Date Rape” drug because it incapacitates or knocks-out the user completely. He was in such chronic pain, it was the only way he could sleep.
I had severe nerve pain from an elbow injury (which fortunately healed). However, it was brutal. I remarked to my wife that I now understood how why some people commit suicide because the pain is unbearable without medication. Hard to understand unless you’ve experienced it. Absolutely brutal.
As such, having temporarily experienced nerve pain, I have a lot of sympathy for Hank Sr. that I wouldn’t have had otherwise.
No words describe the greatness of hank williams
What a wonderful interview with Don Helms. Hank Williams passed away before I was born, but I always knew who he was because his music is timeless.
Hello, how are you doing today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
soo true!
I'm so lonesome I could cry saved me from a dark time in my life after losing my 1st and only son. So in 2006 we had our only little girl that I named Audrey after Miss Audrey Williams. Thank you for sharing this wonderful video with us.
Sorry for your loss, if there's anything to be taken from it your message, it has provided some inspiration and comfort, hang in there.
@@colmoreilly1323 love to ya friend
@@featheredcoyote5477 good vibes from Ireland
@@colmoreilly1323 That's the one place on earth I would love to see
@@featheredcoyote5477 it was bloody good mate of u to name your boy after bocephus. I want to come over and see his grave mate! Australia loves bocephus
He made me and my family appreciate the smallest things in life like he did
I was 10 when I heard the news and I cried. I live in Nova Scotia Canada and I still feel sad 62 years later
My parents listened to Hank Williams when I was young. ( 63 now ). I knew then how good he was, but I appreciate how good he was now. Thanks Mom & Dad.
Great singer all time he sang from the heart
Hank Williams set the standard for Country Western. One of its true legends.
What a sweet man. A great interview. May they both continue to rest in peace. ❤✌🏻
Hello, how are you doing today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
Always loved Don's playing, and to hear him tell this breaks my heart. God bless you Don, and Hank.
That was so cool and enlightening...Don's one of my favorite steel players. Thanks for posting this...
Don and Ralph Mooney
Don Helms was the Greatest
steel guitarist ever!! Miss you
my friend. Thanks for telling
this.
I worked with Sammy Pruett, one of Hank's Drifting Cowboys, at Gibson Guitars in Nashville in the late 70s. He became my good friend and as long as I bought the Jack Daniels, he'd tell me all of the Hank stories I wanted to hear! I was a teenager and he took me under his wing. He was a good man. I held him in high esteem, and I'll always remember him. Rest in peace, Sammy.
Any idea what guitar Sammy played when he was with hank? Ive tried to find out for a long time but never found my answer
Hank Williams Greatest Hits was the first album I ever bought. Saved my money when I was a kid, about 8, bought it at the grocery store on ‘ double stamps’ day. Thanks for posting the interview!
Good purchase by you.
Garrett Bain • I first listened to hanks music when I was 3 or 4 years,old with my grandpa on my mother's side of the,family, I would sit with him in his bedroom and we would listen to his hank Williams SR records on his record player I'm 59 years old now and will never forget those great times my grandpa was a retired welder and back in the late 1940s or early 1950s my grandpa and his oldest sister and brother in law went and seen hank sr in Michigan my grandpa said he talked to hank before he went on stage he said people were crying when hank would sing those sad songs he also said the people wouldnt let him off the stage he said they kept encoreing him. I believe what my grandpa said i never knew him to lie.when,i lived in georgia in the 1980s I'm from east Tennessee johnson city me and my x,wife would come to visit my family in Tennessee and I would go to my grandparents house and me and my grandpa would listen to his hank Williams sr records. Don helms was the greatest steel guitar player there ever was.
I was brought up in Country Music and Hank Williams Senior was my favorite as a small child I still remember all the songs played on the old record player my mother loaded up. This song "Your Cheating heart has kept company with me for many years now.
Hank is the heart of country music.The simple reason it will never sound like that again is nobody can copy it.He definitely needs reinstated in the Grand Old Opry
He bloody did mate. We were to fly to the US state Nashville to see him inducted. Hank was bloody nice when he gave his speech!
Over and over I say the same thing. The nuggets of pure Gold in these interviews never ceases to not just amaze, but stagger me. Man, I’m speechless, but no one would have guessed this about such a monumental hit. Jeez.
Hank Williams is the reason I've been a Guitarist since I was 7 years old. I'm now 59 and I still play it and will till I die.
Me too im 53 been playing since I was 12
I’m fourteen and the reason I started playing was Bc of George strait but he’s the reason I’m still playing and he’s a huge inspiration
We love you Thank thank you for all of the great music I still listen to it.
Thank you for posting these priceless videos. They’re so much more than entertainment. God Bless.
Thank you for supporting the channel Jonathan, hope you can visit the museum sometime too.
Best,
Britt
Thank you Don Helms. Best steel player and a legend in your own right. much love
Thanks for watching Holly....Joe
My God, this one is sprinkled with so many gold nuggets. Thanks to this interview, I have been able to fill in and better understand one of my earliest childhood memories. Riding in the back seat of my parents 53 Ford, where the AM radio was always playing, I still remember asking them who that man was, singing those sad songs. We took so many road trips from where we lived in San Antonio, Texas, to my mother's birthplace in Nashville, Tennessee, during the 50's and 60's. Hank's records were always playing on the radio stations we would find, then lose, work that dial until we found another one, over and over again as we made our way through Texas, Arkansas, and ultimately Tennessee. My father was a road warrior, who didn't believe in stopping unless it was for gas, using the rest room, or preventing starvation. Being in the car 22 - 24 hours, meant a whole lot of radio. Thanks, Joe for collecting the history of so many great songwriters and performers.
Hi William.... Those road trips during that time actually sounds like fun to me right now knowing you got to listen to local stations and D.J’s playing iconic Country records. I’m sure you treasure those memories now.... Thanks for sharing those memories with everyone... Thanks for watching... Best............... Joe
William B. I have memories just the same my dad was in the army and we always traveled the roads once my dad pulled over and got my mother out of the car and danced on the side of the road Memories are made of this
The good ole days
!! I know exactly what You are talkin' about. My Uncle Ed Parks loved to drive the highways in the Dakotas, Nebraska, Iowa, Wyoming, Minnesota...most of my Summer weekends were spent rolling down the backroads of the Midwest. Radio playing Country music, my Uncle was a big Hank Sr. fan along with George Jones, Merle, Ernest T., He had taught himself to play guitar and he had a pretty decent singing voice for Hank Sr. and George Jones songs.
I could never kick the habit those weekend rambles instilled in me. I've spent the great majority of my Life rollin' along the lines of that Lost Highway.
Wow. One take. Those guys were locked in. My parents had a Hank Williams greatest hits album that I listened to, and pretended I was playing guitar with it.
He'll I'm 33 and I still do that except I'm playing guitar and pretending to sing.
@@mma1st105 I ended up being a bass player and drummer, so I guess it payed off.
I love how humble all these legends are. They just seem like the most regular guys you'd ever meet but they lived incredible lives but don't surround themselves with all the pomp and circumstance the modern "stars" do. I'm 38 and a lifelong east TN resident and some of my earliest memories in life are of my great mamaw singing Hank Williams word for word and giving me an interest in his music. I was a fan then. I'm a fan now. I will keep on being one as well. Thanks for this awesome upload.
Thanks Duck.... Best, Joe
This has to be one of your finest interviews. Don Helms: what a tasteful, moving and powerful musician - and speaker. Thank you Joe.
Ditto that
Found out 15 years ago, that I had a cousin who played steel guitar in Hank Williams Sr's band, in the late 1940's. I assumed, that he was already deceased. He wasn"t, but I didn't know, until he was gone. He didn't live far from my cabin in Alabama. If I'd realized, that he was still around, I'd have gone & asked him about Hank. My cousin's name was Robert D Norred.. He was originally from Sylacauga, Alabama & died in 2009.
I had the privilege of meeting Don in May of 2004 in Brooklin Ontario.He was playing with a local band.I talked with him for about 10 minutes before he went on.I wish I could have talked with him for a couple of hours.I peppered him with questions about Hank and Johnny Cash among others.I never realized till then that Don was on so many songs I'd heard for years,such as Lefty Frizzells Long lack veil, Lorettas Don't come home a drinkin, Blue Kentucky girl,The home you're tearin down and Patsy Clines original version of Walking after midnight, to name just a few.It certainly was a thrill to meet him. RIP Don.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Deke..... Joe
WOW. What an interview. Joe you're the luckiest guy in the world for having been able to interview these guys.
The rest of us are lucky enough to have you present them to us! Kudos, Ace!
That was a wonderful interview Joe, Thank you so much, I could tell it was still painful for him.
Thanks David.... Joe
This was a great interview Loved Hank. If it wasn’t for that back pain he would have lasted longer. Only God knows how many more hits he would have made. R I P. To the greatest.
Well said Brent.... I agree ... Thanks for watching.... Best, Joe
Not just back pain,he was born with Spina Bifida.
I always feel that people like him, Hendrix, folks like that, died at just the right time. Doesn't seem fair to us, but it was just meant to be the way it is for some reason.
@@steveendicott1855 Spina Bifida was the back pain. He's saying if not born with the Spina Bifida, he might've not drank himself so hard (one of the reasons he died).
@@arcticchod5370 Those of us born about after 1970 benefit from the discovery that adding folic acid (folate) to a pregnant women’s diet early in pregnacy prevents their babies from developing Spina Bifida. This led to prenatal vitamins and the wise addition of folic acid (folate) to store-bought cereals and bread. Check your cereal box. Spina Bifida and Cleft Lip (related) have pretty much disappeared from the US and other countries that do this.
Hank’s spinal condition, "Spina Bifida Obscurans," gave him terrible back pain. This was actually a "mild" version of Spina Bifida since he wasn’t born paralyzed from the waist down.
I apologize for going on ~~ I was born a tiny preemie and became a nurse and music educator. I’m grateful for the medical discoveries that made my life long and good.
Hank Williams RIP.
Awsome story takes everyone in the band to make that band work ..👍👏👏👏👏👏👏🏴🥃
When I think your last video has moved me the most, you continue to surprise. Man, Merle is my favorite, but I grew up with Hank and Lefty, too...my Grandpa loved them, and so did all of us cousins. Your Cheatin Heart might be the first song I could play and sing. Thanks, Joe, that man is legend on the steel.
Thanks Roger.... Joe
That was a great interview especially when he talked about the Performers singing “I Saw The Light” after Hank’s death. So sad!
Hello, how are you doing today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
Thank you for sharing this I grew up listening to Hank and still listen today he was an original artist who could speak right to your heart ❤️
Hi Deni...... I still love Hank Sr. songs ......Hank jr too...Best,...Joe
Wow, thank you so much. Always loved Don Helms' loyalty and of course his amazing playing.
Thanks Tim..,.....Joe
Yes thanks for the interview 🙏I'm saving it forever 💖❤💕praise God 🙏🙌❤💖
Joe..Im so glad you taped these interviews...this is historic stuff like what you see at MHOF..thanks Joe
These interviews are precious. Thanks for posting in these troubled times. Very happy to perceive the channel makes no distinction amongst race since music is an universal language for all. Greetings from my 3 month isolation period at home in Brazil.
I love hearing stories like this and I hate learning that my heros have died long before I knew of them.
The last person to sing with Hank on stage was Doug Sahm from the"Sir Douglas Quintet" 11years old at the time,it was December 19,1952. At the Skyline Club in Austin Texas..Great interview Beautiful Story. Thank You so Much.
I did NOT know that.
that club was around until the 80s, finally got torn down and a CVS store is on the site now
never heard the song, played it one time, your cheating heart , awesome
I've watched this over and over... it still gives me the chills. Thank you for doing these interviews! To think, Cheating Heart was done in one take..... Not many can say that these days.
Hello, how are you doing today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
I loved Don Helms steel guitar fills on the Hank Williams songs. So high and full of energy. It set off the vocals perfectly. My favorite is Setting the Woods On Fire.
Wow! This guy!!! HANK WILLIAM'S STEEL PLAYER. He has to be in all time top five musician/soloists. Can not imagine having to play that funeral like that, too much to see from the stage. They played the right song for sure.
Thank you for your great interview, to hear how Hank worked? Awesome.. Billy Cobham Hendrix's bass player was best Hendrix interview too.
Thanks Brian..... Joe
Billy cox..
As a traveling outlaw country singer and huge Hank fan, this was a profound interview. What days and honky tonk nights those must have been. Thank you for sharing.
My favourite Hank Williams song: all of them.
Mr. Helms was such a gem! Every interview is a treasure chest of memories. I’m 43 and Mr. Hank Williams is all I ever want to listen to-legend! Thanks for uploading 👏
Thank You Don Helms...Awesome story.. "Your Cheating Heart" Hank never lost his love for his first wife..Hank will never be replaced, True Country singer and writer of all time..the BEST
Thanks for watching Joe.... Best, Joe
It's so incredible how you are drawn in and feel like it just happened, and not so long ago. All the great musicians in their own right, who were in attendance for service speaks volumes about Hank's talent.
Unreal story, thanks so much for sharing these.
Don Helms possesses a fine, unhesitating memory. As well the 1964 movie, "Your Cheatin Heart" (Starring George Hamilton and the late Susan OLiver) ends at the death of Hank with A VERY MOVING Singing of "I Saw The Light". It is one of my favorite movies as it truly gives one the essence of Hank Williams.
patrick ryan I was 9 years old when my parents took me to the theater to see that movie. It was a very well done film and always stuck with me throughout my life. Do you know if there is any way to see it again? My parents loved Hank Williams Sr. and I would love to watch it again as my parents have passed now.
Wow !! I viewed this 3x's in a roll just outstanding Great job Joe & Thanks. Mr. Helms also play on Patsy Walkin After Midnight and Stonewalls Waterloo.. a true talent RIP sir.
Thanks Blue.... glad you enjoyed it... Best... Joe
This is a great interview. It's nice to know about Don Helms himself as well. What instruments they play etc... Thank you for this.
❤️ back again Joe C.. I LOVE your channel and every bit of your wonderful content.
I remember when I was small kid - listening to your Hank and your steel guitar.
Hello, how are you doing today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
I've always loved this song but was never able to sing it with real passion until I experienced it myself.
I'm so in love with Hank Sr. I enjoy all you're sessions Thank You So much🤗
Thanks Neely.... Joe
Wow, wow, wow. Wow. What a gem.
This is what the internet was made for.
What an amazing interview. I'm still dumbstruck. Wow.
Thanks Richard ........ Best... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Just watched the Billy Sherrill interview. You're one lucky dude to have gotten access to these legends of the industry. Can't thank you enough for having the pleasure to hear them.
Out-freakin-standing.
I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Helms once.
He was supposed to play at a Jet Williams show but the show was rain delayed and eventually canceled.
Don came out to set up his guitar and talk with the small crowd.
I waited my turn.
Don was patiently answering questions about Hank I am sure he had been asked a million times.
It soon was my turn to talk to him and told him I wanted to shake his hand, thank him for the music and that I was learning the steel guitar.
His eyes lit up, and he spent an hour talking about guitars, amps and sessions he had played on.
He was so gracious with his time.
Eventually the show was canceled and everyone started loading up.
I offered to help him pack up his gear.
He declined.
I confess while his back was turned I reached out and quickly touched his guitar.
I didn't get to hear him play but I did get to hang out with him.
One of my most cherished memories.
Rest in peace, Don.
.
For me it is Don Helms and Ralph Mooney. Yes, there are other greats but these are my two favorite of all time
Great interview Joe as always. Thank you so much.
Thanks Bob....Joe
So moving. Thanks for putting this out
Thanks for watching too Kathy… Merry Christmas to you and family…Joe
Thank you for this interview, Joe:
Thanks for watching it too Lee…. Joe
Hello, how are you doing today, I hope you’re having a wonderful day?
Hanks back hurt from the years he'd be single handidly carring country music on it
don was an intrinsic facet to hank's sound, more than a witness to his life events, he was an archivist. after hank, he continued to be a big player in the country sound quickly developing in nashville. i remember well when don passed in '08. he was the last living remnant tied to hank's brief but blessed time on this earth and i know still remains hank's greatest ally.
Wow. Awesome history lesson.
wonderful gentleman..the real deal.."youre goona need these"!
10:49, what we were waiting for.
That’s an awesome story. What a great interview. I love hearing about historical moments like this.
Thanks for watching Brad....Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum your welcome. I’m an old school person who absolutely loves Country music. Anything connected to it I’m there. Thank again for the wonderful post
Thank you from the bottom of my heart, Joe. This was a wonderful interview with Don. I'm pushing 70 now and Hank is my all time favorite. Keep up the great work you do.
Thanks Cliff... Merry Christmas... Joe
Thanks so much for documenting this history!
Thanks for watching it too Nathan... Joe
I don't know how I missed this interview, but for some reason I haven't watched it until now. Of all the interviews you've done, for me this one is the most profoundly moving and historically interesting. I wish it was an hour longer. I think that the recordings Don made with Hank Williams are the ultimate pinnacle of country music. To this day as far as I'm concerned, everyone else is in Hank's shadow. Don's influence as a musician is enormous. It's simply amazing to hear him describe how "Your Cheatin' Heart" was recorded in one take. But then all his other recordings were done in similar circumstances, which is phenomenal. For me there's some kind of divine inspiration at work that defies words.
Hi Joe.... thanks for sharing your thoughts and watching our channel. Since you wanted to hear more of this interview I’ll share a short story about it with you. I filmed this interview in my office at our original museum location. It was the first time I had met Don and frankly I don’t feel I was that good of a interviewer back then. At the time UA-cam was not on my radar and the thought of these interviews being seen anywhere other than on small flat screens throughout the museum hallways was never dreamed of. I never wore a mic on these interviews. I didn’t want to be heard. I just wanted to share interesting stories from the interviewees. Luckily for youtube usage all these years later, my questions for the most part could be heard. Don had answered most every question I thought we needed for the museum purposes so we ended the interview and I turned the camera off. Most of these musicians I interviewed were nervous as they were not often asked to tell their stories, at least back then.Don too was kinda nervous but once we cut off the camera and everything went well he like many others guys I had interviewed relaxed. He now kinda knew me and I think he enjoyed our talk. As I was thanking him and his wife for meeting with me and about to say goodbye Don said “ Hey... I forgot to tell tell you something... would you mind turning that camera back on? I said sure... what he said next was the story you just watched. I was stunned!! I’m glad you enjoyed too... Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum HI Joe--- you are performing an extremely valuable service to the history of country music and American popular music in general, with all the interviews and the work you do. All these great musical legends of the past are almost all gone now. I think it's very important to record their memories for future generations. I'm glad I grew up in the era when so much amazing and incredible music was being made by so many wonderful people. The older I get, the more it amazes me. Merry Christmas and all the best in 2021.
Joe.... thanks for the kind words... Wishing you a great new year too.... Joe
Thanks again Joe, I feel the full impact of the loss with Don's telling of the story. So young, so sad.
Thanks mtc..... Merry Christmas...Joe
I’m a bluesy kinda player but have much reverence for Hank and anyone that was on his team 🤘🎸
Well Hanck was the Best that hase. Ever Bean OR ever will Be an the ones that wear with him wear the BEAST TO as speshly the one that is doin the intervew
@@brucehall3232
Wtf.
Don's recollection of names and places, tour dates etc is incredible. His insight into the Country Music in its early days is extremely valuable. The way he nonchalantly tosses out names like Jerry Byrd and Fred Rose and Owen Bradley shows the level of friendship and respect he had for those guys. By the way, Jerry Byrd was Hanks steel player on Mansion On The Hill My Sweet Love Aint Around , Honky Tonkin, I'll Be A Bachelor Till I Die (wherein Jerry Byrd takes Hawaiian style steel guitar to a new level). Many thanks to the Musicians Hall of Fame for posting vids like this.
Thanks David... Joe
What a legend. Great interview!
What an incredible piece of music history.Thank you.
Hey Vince,
My dad, Joe, passed September 28th, but I know he would have appreciated your kind words. Thank you for your support of the channel. If you haven’t been to the museum, I hope you can visit one day.
Best,
Britt
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum I will visit this coming year! My son moved to Nashville.Your Dad seemed like quite a man.⭐Rest in Peace.
Thank you Vince.
That’s great… I know you will love it!
Let us know when y’all visit.
Merry Christmas,
Britt
Wow. Just wow. Every Hank fan must see this.
Thanks for watching Michael.... Joe
Don and hank are playing for the big guy now god bless y'all
I live next door in Bob Loyce Moore's M-N-L apt on his estate. He is 88 and still kicking! He was on the original Nashville A team. You should hear the stories!
The stuff you learn from this channel.
Miss you Joe 🎼❤️
God Bless Hank Williams!
Its great to have all this recorded, this is history.
Thanks for watching Jim….. Best, Joe
Wow awesome story always been a huge Hank senior fan
Thank you for the incredible work you are doing with this channel
Thanks Turret.... truly appreciate you... Best... Joe
I got to Play a show with Don a few weeks before he passed... I sang Half as Much and may you never be alone... It was surreal looking over his shoulder next to me playing Ol Red.... It didn't matter what guitar he had The magic was strictly in his hands... I've never been so humbled or grateful in my life as I was for that short time... He was a national treasure
Thanks for sharing your memories Bill. Great story…. Best, Joe
That is a pretty amazing story.
this was THOROUGHLY enjoyable. thank you for this channel.
Thanks for watching Don... Best.... Joe
Thank you very much Joe for the great job you've done with all these interviews. You are compiling a lot of history that would otherwise only remain in some people.
Thank you AMP.... I really appreciate you saying that... I’m also very happy you’re enjoying them. I’ve been sitting on these for years not knowing if they were good enough to share but also not really understanding how UA-cam worked until late last year. Luckily when this Corona deal happened and shooting new in person interviews became impossible I started going through these cases of video tapes and giving them a shot on UA-cam and they seem to be well received. Hopefully again they’ll last until we get a cure for Corona and start making new ones again... Best.... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thank you for responding to my comment and I hope you are safe and we can soon enjoy further interviews. Greetings from Spain.
thank you for this sad and wonderful story!
This is pure gold Joe.. Don was obviously a brilliant man, a gifted musician, and a gentleman....
Thanks again Dwag... joe
I remember i broke down and cried when i read the book"sing a sad song".I said too my self how can a man do that too him self?Then i read the rest of the story about the spinal bifida.Hank i hope you know that everyone and their cousins have covered jambalaya.They can't get enough of it.🗽👍💕
By the way,i'm 80yrs and still like Hank and Elvis.
Thank you for sharing this. I loved this...!!❤ I've never heard these stories before. I'm glad folks like him shared these stories, because once they're gone we'll never get to know about these amazing stories again. It makes me sad and mad when they tear down the old buildings that have so much history and turn them into a parking lot or a stupid ole car wash. That is so frustrating. Anyway thanks again for sharing this with us. ❤👍
Hi Bonnie, my dad, Joe, passed September 28th… I know he would have appreciated your kind comments.
Thank you for supporting the channel, hope you can visit the museum if you haven’t already.
Merry Christmas,
Britt
Joe, another awesome interview, and Don was a great story teller! I got to see the Drifting Cowboys playing with Jett back in the early 90’s, an event I’ll never forget! Keep up your great work!💫
Thanks Larry.... Joe
What a nice surprise to see my photo of Don's guitar, Ol' Red, in this video. Great interview Joe.
Thanks Gordon... Joe
I'm speechless...love hank n his music...thank you for this
Thanks Shiloh..............Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum no Thank You, for takin your time to talk to a legend , and share it with all us. Hanks voice n Robert Johnsons voice , you can hear the real,the day to day, chilling...
This is simply fabulous! Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for watching 2565..... Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Completely transfixed watching the video. Wow. Just Wow!
Thank you very much 2565..... Joe
Helms’ memory is fantastic… I can hardly remember my own age.
Thanks for watching Avery…. Best, Joe
@@MusiciansHallofFameMuseum Thanks for uploading! These are the kind of videos that remind me why I ever used UA-cam to begin with lol
Thanks Avery…. Joe