“Praise the Lord – I Saw the Light”

I made a pilgrimage to Hank Williams grave in Montgomery, Alabama, on New Years Eve day. Hank Williams passed away 60 years ago on January 1st. The sun was rising in a clear blue sky as I drove into Oakwood Cemetery near downtown Montgomery. High on a hill overlooking the city rests “Luke the Drifter”. A crisp wind was coming up the hill with numerous small American flags waving in the wind. A train whistle blew in the distance. It was a transcendent experience.

“I’ve Just Told Mama Goodbye”
Hank Williams September 17, 1923 – January 1, 1953.

Posted in: The Back Room Blog

11 responses to ““Praise the Lord – I Saw the Light””

Bob Siegel

January 25, 2013 at 11:59 am

Very cool Chris and Carlotta – Happy New Year
Bob

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Holly Anderson

January 25, 2013 at 12:03 pm

The very first song we heard our toddler daughter (the great post-war American photographer Art Kane’s granddaughter) singing to herself
was ‘My Bucket’s Got a Hole in It’.

Hank will always be a part of our family. Good on you, Chris for paying
your respects on the anniversary of his last night among us all those
years ago.

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David Godlis

January 25, 2013 at 12:07 pm

very cool Chris!

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Luis

January 25, 2013 at 12:51 pm

Dear Chris,
Good Picture and beautiful tombstone! Very nice of you going there to pay homage
Hope to see you around soon. Hugs!

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Natasha

January 25, 2013 at 3:25 pm

Thanks for sharing —
– Beautiful!

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Ethelynn Stuckey

January 25, 2013 at 4:34 pm

Hi, Chris, I grew up listening on the radio to Hank Williams and the Grand Ole Oprey! I know all of his songs, and I love his music. “I’m So Lonesome I Could Die” is probably my favorite. The photo of you at the gravesite is great.

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Ethelynn Stuckey

January 25, 2013 at 4:36 pm

Hi, Chris, I love the photo. I grew up listening on the radio to The Grand Ole Oprey, and Hank Williams was my favorite. I know all of his songs; “I’m So Lonesome I Could Die” is probably my favorite. It was great seeing you at the Christmas party, but I missed having a visit with the beautiful Carlotta. Happy New Year! Ethelynn

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Stuart Prince

January 25, 2013 at 6:08 pm

I love it! I knew Hank Williams was buried in Montgomery – so cool you went to the gravesite!

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Melissa Hester

January 26, 2013 at 2:56 pm

Chris, It is so much fun to see the pictures Carlotta took of you that morning at Hank Williams grave. I also remember our previous visit. When you are next here we will have to drive down to Evergreen and McKenzie (but please, not in the hottest part of the summer). Love, Melissa

P.S. Just read the article about Bill Paley in the “Washingtonian.” I had read about the cigar shop on Facebook, but this article was most interesting. I was looking for a mention of you and perhaps of the group that travels together in February, or do you still do that?

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Bill Eddy

January 26, 2013 at 6:46 pm

Chris,
This is such a great photo. Thanks for all the various adventures you share. I moved to Anchorage, AK in March 2012 from Alexandria, VA and man, do I love it up here, but, brother, do I miss the Birchmere and the Govinda! I still boast about how great your gallery is to “music people” and art folks up here. You and I have talked in the past and we learned we both were at the March 1968 Hilton Hendrix “chicken man” concert! Maybe that will ring a bell as to who I am. Thanks again for your continuous travelogue and for the Govinda!!

All the best from The Last Frontier,

Bill Eddy

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Diane Seeger

January 27, 2013 at 12:33 am

You and Carlotta make a wonderful team! Quite a memorable visit, described on a beatiful day, captured in photograph and drawing…Thank you!

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