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The Official Hank Williams
Museum
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118
Commerce Street
Montgomery, AL 36104 |
Phone
(334) 262-3600 |
| The Official Hank Williams Museum is
located in Downtown Montgomery where Hank lived from
1937 - 1953. Come and visit the place where the man who
left his mark on the Musical world, will inevitably
leave his mark on you.
The Museum houses Hank's 1952 Cadillac in which he
made his final journey. Oakwood Cemetery, which is
the resting place of Hank and Audrey Williams, is
located only five minutes away of the Museum.
A life size statue of Hank is located in Lister Hill
park in Downtown Montgomery, just
across from the City Auditorium where Hank's funeral
service was held.
Click
Here for directions to The Hank Williams Museum. |
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| NEWS: |
Last updated:
2/9/2005 |
MERLE KILGORE: HONORARY TENNESSEE STATE SENATOR
AND CO-WRITER OF “RING OF FIRE” DEAD AT AGE 70
Nashville, TN (February 6, 2005)– The distinctive
voice of Merle Kilgore, one of the most significant
songwriters and entertainers in American musical
history was forever silenced today. He died this
evening (6th) from congestive heart failure onset from
medical complications related to ongoing treatment for
cancer over the last few months.
He is survived by his wife, Judy, sons Steve and Duane
Kilgore, daughters, Pam Compton, Kim Pomeroy, and
Shane McBee, 8 grandchildren and 1 great
granddaughter.
Born Wyatt Merle Kilgore on August 9, 1934, in
Chickasha, Oklahoma—Kilgore spent much of his growing
up years in Shreveport, Louisiana. As a boy of 14,
Merle cut his teeth in the music industry carrying the
guitar of Hank Williams Sr. to and from the stage of
the historic Louisiana Hayride. Who could have known
that as an adult, Merle would devote much of his
career to carrying the name, the legacy, and musical
heritage of the Williams family to new audiences, new
heights, and virtually every great stage in country
music and beyond as the manager of Hank Williams Sr.’s
pride and joy—”Bocephus” -- Hank Williams Jr.
And never has the word “manager” covered a broader
definition. When Buddy Lee and Hank’s Jr.’s mother,
the late Audrey Williams, put Merle on the bill and on
the road with Jr. in the ‘60’s there was a method to
their plan. The teenage Hank Jr. was growing up in a
tough industry without the benefit of his legendary
father. In stepped Merle Kilgore—a handsome young
entertainer, fifteen years older than Hank, who had
already written a #1 hit for Webb Pierce, “More And
More,” and followed it with monster hits including
“Wolverton Mountain,” a 10 million seller for Claude
King, and “Ring Of Fire,” written with June Carter
Cash, recorded by Johnny Cash and on its way to
selling 16 million records for Johnny, June and Merle.
Few artists on the day wanted to share a stage with
Merle Kilgore—even fewer wanted to follow him onstage.
Merle simply stole the show on whatever stage you
placed him. With his off the wall humor, string of hit
songs, and glitzy brand of showmanship, rare that an
artist of Merle Kilgore’s caliber would take a step
back from the spotlight to consider his touring
partner—the teenage Hank Jr.—on his way to carving a
legendary career of his own. Maybe it was a duty Merle
felt to Hank Sr. – and maybe it was just the stuff
legend is made of—but to say theirs was to become a
friendship and a working relationship built on mutual
respect—and yes—love-would be the true definition.
Somewhere on some stage, in some forgotten town long
ago Merle Kilgore and Hank Jr. crossed the invisible
line to form a bond “of the road”—and became the kind
of brothers and “family” that only those in the
entertainment industry can fully appreciate and
understand.
Reached by phone with the news of the passing of his
long time friend and manager, Hank Williams Jr. was
unable to make a formal statement at this time.
Greg Oswald, Sr. Vice-President at William Morris, and
responsible agent for Hank Williams jr. was a long
time friend of Merle’s and in constant communication
with him throughout his illness. “When my brother
called me just a few hours ago with the news, my
immediate thought was that only six short weeks ago I
lost my mother--and the pain was equally as sharp when
that news came across the phone line tonight about
Merle. He was family not only to Hank, but to me and
to so many in the industry. We have suffered the loss
of a truly unique and great man in the country music
community of the caliber we’ll never again see in our
lifetime within the industry.”
Merle Kilgore’s management of Hank Williams Jr.’s
career brought him accolades along the corridors of
Music Row—including CMA “Manager Of The Year.” He
served on the CMA Board Of Directors, was elected Vice
President of CMA, as well as President of both the
Nashville Songwriter’s Association International and
the Nashville Songwriter’s Foundation. He served two
terms as President of ROPE. Merle became an Honorary
State Senator in the State of Tennessee, was inducted
into the Louisiana Hall of Fame, and even made the
hall of fame in his old high school alma mater—Byrd
High-- back in Shreveport. “Senator Kilgore has had an
illustrious life—from double dating with pal Elvis
Presley to acting roles in seven movie productions.
Through it all, Merle continued not only to be one of
the country music industry’s most successful personal
managers—but an artist in his own right. His acting
roles, accolades as a performer, and songbook as a
multi-million selling writer would take volumes to
record.
Merle Kilgore was a friend to all within the sound of
his voice and he continued throughout life to
encourage those within the family of Country Music to
love what they did. His legacy will continue with the
legions of friends and fans around the world who will
insure Merle Kilgore’s legend will forever remain
among those of the true giants in the music industry
Funeral Arrangements will be forthcoming.
# # #
for more information contact:
Kirt Webster, 615-777-6995
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|
"Media Marketing Specialists to the Entertainment
Industry"
Webster & Associates Public Relations
Nashville: 615.777.6995 / Hollywood: 323.822.0168 /
www.websterpr.com
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Johnny Cash
1932 - 2003
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Johnny Cash passed away on Friday
9/12/2003 at Baptist Hospital in Nashville due to complications from diabetes.
We would like to offer
Condolences to
the family and friends.
GOD BLESS
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Hank
Jr. performed to a sold-out crowd Saturday night 1/4 at
the Grand
Ole Opry
in Nashville. The show was a tribute to Hank Williams who died
on January 1st, 1953.
-
USA
TODAY
reports on Hank Williams.
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Happy
Birthday to Jett
Williams
who celebrates on the 6th of January.
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Click
Here to read about the activities that took place at The
Hank Williams Museum on January 1st, 2003.
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®
On January 1st 2003, The Hank Williams Museum was honored to World Premiered
CMT INSIDE FAME - HANK
WILLIAMS.
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The
Montgomery Advertiser recalls the events of January 1st,
2003. Read the full story, Click
Here.
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Thanks
to Don
Helms (Member of The Drifting Cowboys,) who
participated in the three days of events in Montgomery, Alabama during the Hank Williams
Memorial Celebration. Click
Here for more details.
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Jack
Greene,
who performed Thursday January 2nd in Montgomery, celebrates a
birthday this week!
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According
to one fan, Stonewall
Jackson put on a "GREAT SHOW"
at the Guesthouse Hotel on Friday
night, January 3rd.
Thanks
to all that attended the Hank Williams 50th Anniversary
Memorial! |
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