For some screwy reason, I awoke this morning with the refrains of Hank Williams, Sr. streaming through my head. The song was "I Saw the Light." He also wrote it, and other classic songs, as well.

"Cheatin' Heart" is probably his recording I like the least. No doubt because it's been lampooned into sounding campy if not corny. Sort of like Tammy Wynette's "Stand By Your Man." But the man, hands down, was an American Original.

He died years before I was born, but I grew up on his music. My parents liked his work. Even today, still a big fan, I give his CDs a listen on occasion.

The tragic way he died--alone in the cold rear seat while headed off to his next gig--adds to his mystique. (Now that's noir for you!) They say the young die die too soon, and Hank is yet another vivid example of it.

By Ed Lynskey
@edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Satisfying."
The Rap Sheet/Kirkus Reviews