Hank Hung the Moon: . . . And Warmed Our Cold, Cold Hearts

by Rheta Grimsley Johnson

Nationally syndicated columnist Rheta Grimsley Johnson’s Hank Hung the Moon is more of a musical memoir than a biography: the author’s evocative and personal stories of 1950s and ’60s musical staples—elementary school rhythm bands, British Invasion rock concerts and tear-jerker movie musicals. It was a simpler time when Hank roamed the Earth; the book celebrates a world of 78 rpm records and 5-cent Cokes, with Hank providing the soundtrack and wisdom. A Cajun girl learns to understand English by listening to Hank on the radio. A Hank impersonator works by day at a prison but, by night, makes good use of his college degree in country music. Hank’s lost daughter, Jett, devotes her life to embracing the father she never knew.Finally, stories you haven’t heard a thousand times before about people who love Hank, some famous, most not. This lively little book uses Hank as metaphor for life. You’ll tap your toe and demand an encore.

Genres: Music, History, Memoir, Nonfiction

200 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2012

Reviews

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

THIS is a great mixed-bag of a book, that reads like a series of really great newspaper columns, all clustered around the theme of Hank Williams and what he means.
Author Rheta grimsley Johnson wrote some great columns for the AJC in the mid-1990s. Her autobiographical prose takes her back to Alabama, Mississippi, and especially Louisiana, as well as Georgia, and, by book's end, Colorado. She inherits, from her late husband, Don Grierson, and his ex-wife, Pat Grierson, a box of transcripts and interviews on the subject of Hank. She meanders and includes much in her impressionistic chapters. Reminder: this is NOT a straight-up biography of Hank, more a memoir of the author's concerns centering around Hank. Taken as such, it's quite good, especially if you already like and miss Ms. Johnson's authorial voice. She refers frequently to the copious literature and debates about Hank Williams, especially to the late Paul Hemphill's recent biography of Hank Williams.
She has some great stories about, amongst other things, interviewing the resurgent Jett Williams at early stages of her quest. I will say I like the work of Hank III more than Ms. Johnson does. Again, this is full of subjective, opinionated stories, and I like having them all.
Recommended.

[Danica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was sent a free copy of this book from the publisher, but I gladly would have bought it, had I only known what it contained. I might post a more thorough review later (even this one is long overdue), but suffice to say I thoroughly enjoyed Hank Hung the Moon.

Two great loves are discussed in this book: music, and the South. One I already loved, but the author's beautiful portrayal of the other came to me as a welcome glimpse into a culture I still know little about, but can appreciate so much more after having finished this book. Every time I picked it up to read another chapter, it was like sitting on the porch with an old friend, discussing our days or whatever else that found its way to us through the humid air. That friendly Southern attitude found throughout was part of what made this book such a treat to read--the author really has a way with words that made me feel welcome, and brought the description and story to life in a way only someone with the music of the South in their blood could.


Note: I found that parts of this book are best read to the music they reference. I used Spotify to look old Hank up, and even if I don't particularly share the author's passion for the music (I think it's something you have to grow up with), I found it really enhanced my reading experience.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. This author's personal memoir/biography of Hank Williams takes a look at the influence of his music on her life. Her writing seems to flow like a southern drawl. I especially liked her references to Hank's connection to Georgiana and Butler County, Alabama. She certainly makes every effort to right any wrong impressions and dubious facts about Hank. Her references are from relatives and people who worked with and knew Hank well. I would not only recommend this to Hank Williams and country music fans, but also to those who grew up in the sixties, and those who love all sorts of music.

[Carlton Phelps · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Rheta is a must read for us every week. This book will warm your heart and open your soul to Hank Williams and the South.
It was great to travel with Rheta back to the old South that we grew up in.
The good and not so good. But Hank was there with us. Few things in life are better than waking up on a school day smelling bacon frying and Hank singing on the radio.
Take this trip with Rheta Grimsley Johnson and feel the music and learn about the man.

[David Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hank Hung the Moon and Warmed Our Cold, Cold Hearts by Rheta Grimsley Johnson (NewSouth Books 2012)(780.92) is the author's love song to Hank Williams. This book is full of Hank Williams trivia and stories of interest to other afficionados of "Ol' Hank." My rating: 6.5/10, finished 9/8/12.

[Bruce Thomas · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rambling Hank Williams tribute - author is a bit too much enamored - Saint Hank-ish and assumes everyone in the South worshiped him. Still a good tale, not a biography, more of the impact of Hank on her and others. Lost a full star when she had to add at the very end her factual statement that had Hank lived, he would have been an all-out liberal. Maybe so, but that's pure conjecture.

[Mary Dansak · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved weaving in and out of the author's personal stories and Hank William's life as I read this book. Informative, entertaining, lyrical, and in the end, beautifully and terribly poignant, Hank Hung the Moon was a lovely read.

[Debra · Rating 3 out of 5]

i am not a super Hank Williams fan, but living in his hometown, I found this book quite an interesting read. She intertwines different peoples' memories of Hank, his music, and her personal life. I always enjoyed her newspaper columns, and she is quite a good writer.

[Beth Hermes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! Rheta's style is conversational and her stories are more like talking with an old friend than reading a book. Highly recommend!

[Lyda Phillips · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reviewed this one on Chapter 16, the Tennessee Humanities website.

[Demetra Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rheta Grimsley Johnson at her best. wonderful view of Hand Williams and his music.

[Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

this book surprised me since so much has been written about hank williams. a good read with interesting stories of hank and growing up and living in the south.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was a lot to enjoy in this book, though I sometimes felt Ms. Johnson was really writing her own personal memoir.