He lived only a short time.

And he died at the young age of only 29, but Hank Williams is an icon for anyone who loves music and especially for anyone who loves country music.

Famous for such songs as Your Cheatin’ Heart and Jambalaya, Hank Williams became a legend in his short-lived music career. 

Hank was born just south of Montgomery but it was always Montgomery that he felt was his home.

He later moved to Alabama’s capital city where he did menial jobs like shining shoes and selling peanuts while plying his musical talent in cafes and clubs in the area.

He won a talent show when only 14 years old and went on to launch his career after playing guitar on the sidewalk outside the WSFA radio station.

Be sure to visit the Hank Williams Museum on Commerce Street.

The museum has been here since 1999 and has more Hank memorabilia than anywhere else in the world with over 35 display cases holding personal artifacts. This is one place any music lover should not miss.  

The main attraction has to be the baby blue Cadillac dated 1952 where sadly, in the back seat, Hank died of a heart attack.

A difficult life of drink, drugs and physical pain finally took their toll on the star, at a way too early age.  The car actually belongs to his son, who drove it while he was in high school 

Other artifacts include Hank’s records and awards and more than a dozen suits that the star wore as well as two life-sized portraits that hung in the home he shared with his wife Audrey. 

There’s even the microphone he used for his final performance, as well as his violin, affectionately known to Hank as his “fiddle.” 

Hank and his wife are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, just a mile away, on a serene mountain top – fitting for a man who found very little serenity when he was alive.  Check it out.

He might have lived only a short time but for the country music faithful, his music, his influence and his memory will on forever.

Location:  118 Commerce Street. Open from 9am-4pm Monday through Saturday and from 1pm-4pm on Sunday. Tel: 334/262 3600.  Website: www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.com

He lived only a short time.

And he died at the young age of only 29, but Hank Williams is an icon for anyone who loves music and especially for anyone who loves country music.

Famous for such songs as Your Cheatin’ Heart and Jambalaya, Hank Williams became a legend in his short-lived music career. 

Hank was born just south of Montgomery but it was always Montgomery that he felt was his home.

He later moved to Alabama’s capital city where he did menial jobs like shining shoes and selling peanuts while plying his musical talent in cafes and clubs in the area.

He won a talent show when only 14 years old and went on to launch his career after playing guitar on the sidewalk outside the WSFA radio station.

Be sure to visit the Hank Williams Museum on Commerce Street.

The museum has been here since 1999 and has more Hank memorabilia than anywhere else in the world with over 35 display cases holding personal artifacts. This is one place any music lover should not miss.  

The main attraction has to be the baby blue Cadillac dated 1952 where sadly, in the back seat, Hank died of a heart attack.

A difficult life of drink, drugs and physical pain finally took their toll on the star, at a way too early age.  The car actually belongs to his son, who drove it while he was in high school 

Other artifacts include Hank’s records and awards and more than a dozen suits that the star wore as well as two life-sized portraits that hung in the home he shared with his wife Audrey. 

There’s even the microphone he used for his final performance, as well as his violin, affectionately known to Hank as his “fiddle.” 

Hank and his wife are buried in Oakwood Cemetery, just a mile away, on a serene mountain top – fitting for a man who found very little serenity when he was alive.  Check it out.

He might have lived only a short time but for the country music faithful, his music, his influence and his memory will on forever.

Location:  118 Commerce Street. Open from 9am-4pm Monday through Saturday and from 1pm-4pm on Sunday. Tel: 334/262 3600.  Website: www.thehankwilliamsmuseum.com