Born in Mount Olive West, Alabama (near
Georgiana) on September 17th, 1923.
While living in Georgiana, he befriended Rufus Payne,
a black street musician known as "Tee-Tot".
He had made his first radio appearance on WSFA in
late 1936 or early 1937.
March 1947, in a deal engineered by Rose, Hank signed
with MGM.
"Move It On Over" was his first MGM release and
his first "Billboard" chart entry. He charted again in
April, 1948 with "Honky Tonkin"
KWKH in Shreveport, Louisiana was interested in the
emerging star for their Saturday night jamboree, the
Louisiana Hayride, and Hank joined the show in August.
Released in February, 1949, it was number one
"Lovesick Blues"
Died sometime after midnight on New Year's Day, 1953,
sleeping in the back seat of his Cadillac en route to
a show.
He was only 29 years old.
