Hank Williams Sr.

• Hit songs include "Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," and "Hey, Good Lookin'"
• Member of the Grand Ole Opry, Country Music Hall of Fame, and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame
• Nearly 40 chart hits in six years

Born in rural southern Alabama, Williams formed the first of his Drifting Cowboys bands in 1938 and the second, more successful, following the war. He quickly became the biggest hillbilly music star in Montgomery. In 1946, Williams signed with the famed Acuff-Rose publishing company and landed a recording contract with MGM the next year. His first MGM release, "Move It on Over," was a hit in the fall of 1947.

In 1948, Williams moved to Shreveport, La., to appear on a new radio broadcast, the Louisiana Hayride. He recorded "Lovesick Blues," a show tune that dated back to 1922 and it reached No. 1 in May 1949, staying there 16 weeks. The success of that record and its follow-up, "Wedding Bells," convinced the Grand Ole Opry to hire Williams. He moved to Nashville in June 1949 and swiftly became one of the biggest stars in country music. Increasingly, he decided to perform his own songs, and after the success of his own "Long Gone Lonesome Blues" in the spring of 1950, virtually all of his hits were his own compositions.

Every Hank Williams record charted and he became one of country music's most successful touring acts. His songs soon found a wider audience in the pop market, but it was not until Tony Bennett covered "Cold, Cold Heart" in 1951 that he began to also be recognized as a popular songwriter.

In six short years, Hank Williams lodged almost 40 chart hits, including the country chart toppers "Lovesick Blues," "Long Gone Lonesome Blues," "Why Don't You Love Me," "Moanin' the Blues," "Cold, Cold Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," "Jambalaya," and "I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive." Williams was the first artist elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, a tribute indicative of his impact.

Williams passed away much too soon in 1953 at the young age of 29.

Inducted to the Music City Walk of Fame on April 20, 2008.