Multiple weekend events to mark Hank Williams’ 100th birthday in Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Sunday is the 100th birthday of Alabama native Hank Williams and several events are planned around Montgomery to mark the occasion!

The Hank Williams Museum will recognize this milestone event with a three-day gala concert and graveyard memorial service.

“Even a century after his birth and more than 70 years after his passing, Hank Williams continues to attract new generations of fans who love and appreciate the music he wrote and performed,” Hank Williams Museum Director Beth Petty said. “Though he died at just 29 years of age, Hank left a lasting musical legacy that continues to grow, and we feel it is important to celebrate and recognize the 100th birthday of one of Alabama’s favorite sons and greatest legends.”

The Hank Williams centennial wreath laying and memorial service is set to take place September 17 from 8:45 a.m. to 9:15 a.m. at his gravesite in the Oakwood Cemetery Annex located at 1304 Upper Wetumpka Road in Montgomery. In addition, the Sheppard Family Band, whose members are related to Hank Willams’ former wife, Audrey Shepard Williams, will perform during the ceremony.

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The three-day Hank Williams Centennial Concert begins Friday, September 15, and will take place at Troy University’s Davis Theater in Montgomery. The concert will feature a combination of well-known country and bluegrass acts as well as tribute artists who perform in the style of Williams.

The City of Montgomery is also going to be holding a celebration in honor of the country music legend’s 100th birthday with a performance by Chad Fisher and the Hank Night Band.

Concert schedule

6:30 p.m. Friday, September 15

• Rhonda Vincent, along with her band The Rage (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)
• David Ball (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)
• David Church (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)

2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 16

• Leona Williams (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)
• Ron Williams (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)
• Perley Curtis Band (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)

7:00 p.m.

• Chad Fisher and the Hank Night Band (at Old Town Alabama-Living Block, 420 Columbus Street)

2:00 p.m. Sunday, September 17

• Gene Watson (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)
• Zachariah Malachi & the Nashville Counts (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)
• Jason Petty (at Troy University’s Davis Theater)

7:00 p.m.

• Darrell Scott (at Montgomery Performing Arts Center)

Additional information on the event, as well as The Hank Williams Museum, can be found here. Additionally, tickets for this event can be purchased here.

The Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, or MPAC, will feature Darrell Scott during a Sunday performance called ‘100 Years of Hank’ in which the “well-traveled troubadour...ventures deep into the heart of darkness of Williams to explore the beauty in the pain as crafted from the soul of a master.”

Tickets are available here.

Williams was born in Mount Olive, located in rural Butler County, on Sept. 17, 1923. In the 1930s and 40s, Hank could be heard over the air performing on WSFA radio. His career ultimately skyrocketed, propelling him to fame.

Despite his legacy living on through the decades, Williams’ life was very short. He died on New Year’s Day 1953 at the age of 29.

Williams is buried alongside Audrey Shepard Williams at the Hank Williams Memorial Oakwood Cemetery Annex in Montgomery.

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