Though the song could apply to any couple going through hardship, a line in the first verse, “A memory from your lonesome past keeps us so far apart”, references an abortion that Williams’ first wife, Audrey, had that may have been from an extramartial affair. “Cold, Cold Heart” is by far the more memorable of the two songs released on that record in February 1951, quickly becoming a #1 hit and becoming a popular song to cover by other artists. “Cold, Cold Heart” was actually a B-Side to a more upbeat single, “Dear John” (a very downer title, if one is familiar with “Dear John” letters/stories). Hank Williams (single released 1950 on MGM Records)ĭespite his short life (he died on New Year’s Day 1953 at age 29), Hank Williams accomplished more as a musician than most other artists who live twice as long.Īrguably America’s first country music superstar, Williams had written/co-written and recorded over 160 songs over the course of a decade, with 35 of them becoming Top 10 hits on the Country Charts (and 11 of them going to #1). Here we take a look at one of Hank Williams’ most memorable songs and two different covers by two of the most influential male crooners America has ever produced. We hope that this series allows you to appreciate both the original and the covers they have inspired, and to seek out and enjoy new music in the process. There is a chance that you have come across a song (or two, or so many more) that you enjoy and did not realize that it's either been covered by someone else or is a cover itself. He’s almost the only one left to really go on with the Hank Williams music.The CHIRP Blog Eddie writes Take Two: “Cold, Cold Heart” (Hank Williams vs. has talked about it and he said, ‘Hell, go for it.’ Ricky is carrying on a family tradition. Me, Hank Jr., neither one care, ’cause me and Hank Jr. When asked point blank what his blood relation to Hank Williams is, “I ain’t gonna tell you that,” Butch responds, laughing. “We’re closer than you will ever know.”īutch goes on to say, “That’s the reason Ricky gets the name Hank Williams IV. According to Colin Escott’s Hank Williams biography, after seeing Jett’s struggles to win a proper share of the Hank Williams estate, Butch didn’t want to hassle with the same process. If Ricky Fitzgerald (aka Hank Williams IV) is the true great grandson of Hank Williams. Though he always performed under the name Ricky Fitzgerald, the name Hank Williams IV was also thrown out as a stage name. Ricky at one point even had a white suit with black notes down the sleeves just like Hank Williams, and Ricky made a CD with his “Lost Highway” band. When Ricky Fitzgerald was 4 or 5-years-old, he started performing Hank Williams songs, including at little festivals and functions held in Montgomery, AL at the Hank Williams Museum. Ricky’s parents, for whatever reason, were not in the picture for the majority of his raising. So how does Ricky Fitzgerald fit into all of this? Ricky Fitzgerald is the grandson of Lewis “Butch” Fitzgerald, and was raised by Butch from an early age.
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