Drifting Cowboys
- Country
- honky-tonk
- blues
- Guitar
- bass
- steel guitar
The Drifting Cowboys were the backing group for American country legend and singer-songwriter Hank Williams. The band went through several lineups during Williams' career. The original lineup was formed in 1937, changing musicians from show to show until Williams signed with Sterling Records.
The lineup was further modified in the following years, with the most famous version of the group formed in 1949 for Williams' appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Although the Drifting Cowboys were credited on Williams' records, until 1950, Williams was backed by session musicians on recordings, with the label crediting the Cowboys. In 1951, Williams disbanded the group. After his death, the band was used for a short time by Ray Price. Former members later toured under the name of the band.
History
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/70/Hank_Williams_and_the_Driftin%27_Cowboys%2C_1938.jpg/200px-Hank_Williams_and_the_Driftin%27_Cowboys%2C_1938.jpg)
Hank Williams formed the original Drifting Cowboys band between 1937 and 1938 in Montgomery, Alabama. The name was derived from Williams' love of Western films, with him and the band wearing cowboy hats and boots.[2] The original line-up consisted of Braxton Schuffert (guitar), Freddie Beach (fiddle), and the comedian Smith "Hezzy" Adair. The youngest member of the band was thirteen-year-old steel guitar player James E. Porter.[3] During the 1930s, the Drifting Cowboys varied from one show to another, with members playing a few shows before leaving and being replaced. In 1944, Don Helms joined the band playing the steel guitar, and Sammy Pruett on guitar, however both left the band after a year.[2]
When Williams signed with Sterling Records, he formed a new band: R.D Norred (steel guitar), Joe Pennington (guitar), Herbert "Lum" York (bass) and Winston Todd (guitar). Hank and Audrey Williams requested a loan to buy the band matching outfits that they wore on performances.[4] The band was renewed by Williams for his first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride in 1948, with Bob McNett (guitar), "Lum" York (bass), Tony Francini (fiddle), Felton Pruett (steel guitar) and Dent Holmes (guitar).[5]
For his June 1949 debut at the Grand Ole Opry, Williams formed the most famous version of the Drifting Cowboys: Bob McNett (guitar), Hillous Butrum (bass), Jerry Rivers (fiddle) and Don Helms (steel guitar).[6] Until 1950, Williams' songs were recorded with session musicians, with the label crediting the backing to the Drifting Cowboys Band.[2] In 1950, McNett and Butrum left the band, being replaced by Sammy Pruett and Cedric Rainwater.[2] In 1951, before undergoing back surgery and not knowing how long he would be unable to tour, Williams disbanded the group. During 1952, he was not backed by the Drifting Cowboys.[7] After his death, the band was used for a short time by Ray Price. Band members would later tour as the Drifting Cowboys for several years.[2]
Members
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Other members
- Felton Pruett
- Clent Holmes
- Joe Pennington
- Lemuel Curtiss Crysel
- Daniel Jack Boling
- Louis Brown
- Clyde Criswell
- Zeke Crittenden
- Little Joe Stanley
- Richard Paul Dennis Jr
- Allen Dunkin
- Willie Harper
- James Porter
- Carl "Wimpy" Jones
- Dan Furmanik
References
- ^ "The Cowboys' Time-Line". Angelfire.com. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Kingsbury, Paul (1998). The Encyclopedia of Country Music: The Ultimate Guide to the Music. New York: Oxford University Press. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-19-517608-7.
- ^ Koon, George William (1983). Hank Williams, So Lonesome. Westport CT: Greenwood Press. p. 11. ISBN 978-1-57806-283-6.
- ^ Masino, Susan (2011). Family Tradition – Three Generations of Hank Williams. Milwaukee WI: Backbeat Books. p. 32. ISBN 978-1-617-13107-3.
- ^ Williams, Lycrecia; Vinicur, Dale (1989). Still in Love with You: The Story of Hank and Audrey Williams. Nashville TN: Rutledge Hill. p. 48. ISBN 978-1-558-53048-5.
- ^ Escott, Colin (2008) [1994]. Hank Williams: The Biography. New York NY: Little, Brown & Co. p. 149. ISBN 978-0-316-24986-7.
- ^ Escott, Hank Williams, p. 284
External links
- Most total information
- v
- t
- e
- Hank Williams Sings
- Moanin' the Blues
- Memorial Album
- Hank Williams as Luke the Drifter
- Hank Williams on Stage
- 40 Greatest Hits
- The Complete Hank Williams
- "Move It On Over"
- "Honky Tonkin'"
- "I Saw the Light"
- "Lovesick Blues"
- "Mind Your Own Business"
- "Lost Highway"
- "My Bucket's Got a Hole in It"
- "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
- "Long Gone Lonesome Blues"
- "Why Don't You Love Me"
- "Cold, Cold Heart"
- "Hey, Good Lookin'"
- "I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love with You)"
- "Honky Tonk Blues"
- "Half as Much"
- "Jambalaya (On the Bayou)"
- "You Win Again"
- "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive"
- "Kaw-Liga"
- "Your Cheatin' Heart"
- "Take These Chains from My Heart"
- "The Blues Come Around"
- "Six More Miles (To the Graveyard)"
- "I'm Satisfied with You"
- "The Pale Horse and His Rider"
- "Weary Blues from Waitin'"
- "(I'm Gonna) Sing, Sing, Sing"
- Hank Williams Jr.
- Jett Williams
- Hank Williams III
- Holly Williams
- Death of Hank Williams
- List of tributes to Hank Williams
- Drifting Cowboys
- Sterling Records
- MGM Records
- Grand Ole Opry
- The Lost Notebooks of Hank Williams
- Three Hanks: Men with Broken Hearts
- The Garden Spot Programs, 1950
- Rufus Payne