No comments about Hank Williams.

5 comments about Louisiana Hayride Years: Making Musical History in Country's Golden Age.

1. This is the most entertaining book I've read in a very long time!! I couldn't put it down!! I think everybody who listens to rockabilly, western swing and roots music NEEDS to read this!



2. What a refreshing book! No pretentious axes to grind, no exposes, just one honest manÕs recollection of his remarkable experiences in the entertainment Òbidness.Ó Horace ÒHossÓ Logan was the producer of KWKH ShreveportÕs legendary Country Music radio program, ÒThe Louisiana HayrideÓ from the late 1940s to the late 1950s. During this time, the HayrideÕs popularity rivaled that of the Grand Ole Opry and it gained a deserved reputation as the ÒCradle of the Stars,Ó a place where young, upcoming talent was discovered and polished. Indeed, the names that Logan parades forth in this book are impressive, more like a ÒwhoÕs whoÓ of country musicÕs ÒGolden AgeÓ: Hank Williams, Elvis Presley, George Jones, Johnny Cash, Johnny Horton, Webb Pierce, Faron Young, Slim Whitman, Jim Reeves, Kitty Wells, Floyd Cramer, Sonny James, the Browns.... All got their start on the stage of ShreveportÕs Municipal Auditorium.

   But ultimately Logan couldn't convince KWKH officials to entice support services to Shreveport, things like booking agencies, record companies, and publishing. As a result the best talent from the Hayride inevitably jumped to the Opry and Nashville became ÒMusic City.Ó

   In all, IÕve not read a better book about Country Music. If youÕre a fan of ÒclassicÓ Country Music--which has almost become a museum piece considering the state of modern Country radio--you owe it to yourself to buy ÒLouisiana Hayride Years.Ó




3. I was there. I heard the people around Shreveport talk about the Hayride. Elvis was no big asset to the show. There are to many errors in the book for anyone to take it as truth. If he is going to take credit for anything he should also take credit for causing the show to loose it's place in Country Music.



4. This volume was originally published under the title, "Elvis, Hank, and Me: Making Musical History on the Louisiana Hayride," and it's a tremendously more accurate title than the abbreviated "Louisiana Hayride Years." Although Logan was the guiding light of the show, serving as its creator and producer during its first ten years, his book focuses more on Elvis and Hank, than on the Hayride itself.

   His insights into these two megastars, each at the very beginning of their climb to fame, are interesting, to be sure, but there was so much more to be covered. In addition to the two icons, numerous other country acts began or expanded their stardom on the Hayride, and though Logan provides some interesting anecdotes about Johnny and Jack, Kitty Wells, Faron Young, Slim Whitman, Webb Pierce, Johnny Horton, Johnny Cash and George Jones, he never really delves into the Hayride itself.

   His dishing on the Grand Ole Opry, while probably close to the bone, is a poor substitute for a deeper discussion of how the Hayride itself worked. There's some interesting analysis of why the Hayride kept giving up its stars to Nashville, but having been written so long after-the-fact, the of-the-moment accounts focus more on the stars than the show. One never really gets a feel for the Hayride's own arc of fame, nor the nuts-and-bolts of how the show (both stage and radio) operated.

   That said, and even with the factual errors noted elsewhere, this is a worthwhile first-hand account of a seminal program that fostered one of the great transitional periods in country music's history.




5. Horace Logan was an important figure in the discovery and fame-building of many country music stars. His story adds to the music's history. I downgraded the book because his facts are sometimes shaky. For instance, he says Faron Young "went through a series of relatively brief marriages and divorces." A series? Relatively brief? Faron's only marriage ended in divorce after 32 years. The statement made me wonder what else in the book I shouldn't believe. In spite of that, this is a good book, and I enjoyed reading it.

No comments about The Best of Hank Williams.

No comments about Songs of Hank Williams, Jr..

1 comments about Gospel Songs of Hank Williams.

1. If you are a Luke the Drifter fan, this book is excellent. It has some songs that I had forgotton until I read the words.

No comments about 358. Gospel Songs of Hank Williams (E-Z Play Today).

No comments about The Best of Hank Williams Jr. (Strum It Guitar).

3 comments about Hank Williams: The Complete Lyrics.

1. This book, compiled by Don Cusic, contains the lyrics to every song that Hank has been credited to be a writer or co-writer that's very well put together and researched. Reading his lyrics is just as interesting as listening to the man sing his voice. He is a very interesting man who really put his all into his music so this book definitely should be opened when you listen to his CD's. This is essential to every country music fan, music fan, songwriter, and everybody who has any interest in his music.



2. This book was published in 1993 and is still available.It is a wonderful 'little' book which lives up to its billing of being Hank's complete lyrics.There may have been a few found since the publication;but it contains the complete words to 130 songs.It would be a treasure to any Hank fan;in fact,no fan should be without it.The setup of the book is impressive in that the songs are organized by the first word in the song's title.ie.,'I Saw the Light' is followed by 'I Told A Lie To My Heart'.It just couldn't be simpler. I find it great to play Hank's songs and follow along with him.Even if you can't sing;crank up the volume,and let 'er rip;Hank will enjoy your accompaniment.
   In addition to the songs, Cusic opens the book with 16 pages of Hank's life and lots of information on how he wrote these songs and who he collaborated with and so on.
   He also includes a lot of information on books on Hank and other sources of info on country music.In his section 'Permissions' ,he gives the dates the songs were copyrighted and who jointly wrote some of the songs with Hank.
   Cusic sums it up with this comment.
   "Hank and his songs remain easy to understand,but their effect eludes explanation,and defies duplication.They are the essence of country music."
   You said it,Don; and thanks for a great book.



3. this is an awsome song lyrics book. the lyrics in this book are just awsome there great. the songs just reach out and grab me by the collar. his songs touch my heart. and shares my heart and soul. there's plenty of song lyrics that many people dont even know about. just take a chance and get this book i promise you wont regret it. hank was truely gifted he had a gift that came striat out of heaven from god to hank and out his voice. and his song writeing as well. so please check it out. thanks don for makeing this book. a fan always kellysherman

4 comments about The Hank Williams Songbook.

1. This tab book is not accurate to the original recordings. If you're wanting to own Hank Williams material in its original form, you'll be very disappointed with this book. It's even basic for beginners. Would not recommend to anyone.



2. This book of songs by hank williams is nicely done and would make excellent material for those learning flat picking and finger picking. The music is very well laid out in both music notion and tabs for both styles for each song. The finger picking tabs are very clear and well done. If you are looking for a Hank Williams song book where you want to sing and stumm the songs, then put in instumental breaks in between verses, this book is for you. The words are all there with the music. This is a really nice book, I have been playing Hank Williams stuff for twenty years and think this is a nice book.



3. I have not been playing guitar for very long and I am a huge Hank Williams fan. I learned the chords to his songs but the solos were beyond me to figure out. This book (Although not entirely accurate) helped me learn the basics of flatpicking while making the songs sound recognizable. It is a very good beginner flatpicking and fingerpicking book (I havn't done any of the fingerpicking but I'm sure its good). For the more experienced guitarist, it gives a great starting point for you to embellish upon.

   The Tab written in this book I have found to be usefull during the solo portions of the song. I play the Chords while singing and during the instrumentals I flatpick from the book and this works very well.

   I like how Sokolow gets you playing right away with all the classic Hank Williams songs.




4. It is a nice book to have if you are a Hank Willams fan like me. The flat & finger picking arrangemnts are very basic and simple. It is easy to follow and great for beginners.
   
   If you are a more accomplished guitar player and are looking for a book that helps you to play exactly like Hank or sound like Hank William's band, you may be a little disappointed.
   
   I wish Sokolow could show us the exact chords Hank used and included guitar fill-ins and breaks by Hank's band to give us the flavor of Hank William's original recording. Hopefully someday Fred or someone else will do this for us.

4 comments about Hank Williams Complete.

1. This is a very impressive collection of practically everything written by Hank Williams, and exactly what I needed (with chord diagrams). My only complaint is that there are Hank classics not written by him that are not included in this anthology; such as, "Lovesick Blues", "Settin' The Woods on Fire", and "Half As Much". It also doesn't include Hank's "(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle". But it seems EVERYTHING else is here - and it's wonderful this music book was released! (Five Stars if the mentioned songs were included!)



2. I brought this book for my husband who loves Hank Williams, and he says it is great it has all the hit songs and has recommended it to some of his friends



3. Excellent book for country music fans. Hard to imagine so many songs by one composer and all in the same book.



4. I think this is a very good book. It is easy to read. I am a avid fan of Hank Williams. There are songs in this book that I had never heard. There are 303 pages in this book. He was a wonderful singer and writer.
   He was very talented. I would highly recommend this book. I don't think you will be disappointed with it.