Drifting Cowboys

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The Drifting Cowboys
Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys performing on WSM
Hank Williams and the Drifting Cowboys performing on WSM
Background information
Genres
Instrument(s)
Years active1937–1951; 1955–1957; 1977–1991[1]
LabelsSterling

The Drifting Cowboys were the backing group for American country legend and singer-songwriter Hank Williams. The band went through several lineups during Williams' career. The original lineup was formed in 1937, changing musicians from show to show until Williams signed with Sterling Records.

The lineup was further modified in the following years, with the most famous version of the group formed in 1949 for Williams' appearance on the

Ray Price
. Former members later toured under the name of the band.

History

Original lineup of the Drifting Cowboys, 1938

Hank Williams formed the original Drifting Cowboys band between 1937 and 1938 in

boots.[2] The original line-up consisted of Braxton Schuffert (guitar), Freddie Beach (fiddle), and the comedian Smith "Hezzy" Adair. The youngest member of the band was thirteen-year-old steel guitar player James E. Porter.[3] During the 1930s, the Drifting Cowboys varied from one show to another, with members playing a few shows before leaving and being replaced. In 1944, Don Helms joined the band playing the steel guitar, and Sammy Pruett on guitar, however both left the band after a year.[2]

When Williams signed with

Herbert "Lum" York (bass) and Winston Todd (guitar). Hank and Audrey Williams requested a loan to buy the band matching outfits that they wore on performances.[4] The band was renewed by Williams for his first appearance on the Louisiana Hayride in 1948, with Bob McNett (guitar), "Lum" York (bass), Tony Francini (fiddle), Felton Pruett (steel guitar) and Dent Holmes (guitar).[5]

For his June 1949 debut at the

Ray Price. Band members would later tour as the Drifting Cowboys for several years.[2]

Members

Other members

  • Felton Pruett
  • Clent Holmes
  • Joe Pennington
  • Lemuel Curtiss Crysel
  • Daniel Jack Boling
  • Louis Brown
  • Clyde Criswell
  • Zeke Crittenden
  • Little Joe Stanley
  • Richard Paul Dennis Jr
  • Allen Dunkin
  • Willie Harper
  • James Porter
  • Carl "Wimpy" Jones

References

  1. ^ "The Cowboys' Time-Line". Angelfire.com. Retrieved October 13, 2019.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-19-517608-7
    .
  3. ISBN 978-1-57806-283-6
    .
  4. ISBN 978-1-617-13107-3
    .
  5. ISBN 978-1-558-53048-5
    .
  6. ISBN 978-0-316-24986-7
    .
  7. ^ Escott, Hank Williams, p. 284

External links

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