Hank Williams In Arizona

Hank Williams, perhaps the greatest and most influential country singer of all time, came through twice in Arizona to play three shows during his all too brief life and career.

1950 advertisement in Arizona Republic

In 1950, with sponsorship from WSM's Grand Ole Opry and backed by his Drifting Cowboys featuring Jerry Rivers (fiddle) and Don Helms (steel guitar), Hank made a stop in Phoenix on July 17th to play the Encanto Park Bandshell. This was truly a Grand Ole Opry package show with comedienne Minnie Pearl opening up, honky tonk giant Ernest Tubb taking the stage (with electric guitarist Billy Byrd), as well as Columbia Records country artist Billy Starr (who a year later made a number of stage appearances at Phoenix's Riverside Ballroom as guest-vocalist with Buster Fite and his Western Playboys). This Monday night outdoor concert drew an estimated 1,500 people, with ticket prices ranging from sixty-five cents to $1.55. The Phoenix sponsor for the show was Mrs. Archer E. Linde, the tireless promoter known more for booking Opera than "Opry".

preview of 1950 PHX concert, AZ Republic

1950 Phoenix concert ad, Arizona Republic

1950 concert review in Arizona Republic

In 1951, Hank and his Drifting Cowboys made their only Tucson appearance on Thursday, February 15th at Tucson Sports Center on W Congress St. The tour stopped the following night in Phoenix at Madison Square Garden, the boxing venue where a couple of years later country music promoter Ray Odom would begin hosting the popular, Arizona Hayride, and where punk bands found a home in the 1980's. These two shows were also under the banner of The Grand Ole Opry. Though the Phoenix ad promised "many other Grand Ole Opry favorites" as being on the bill, the only known opening act for these shows was the hillbilly comic relief of The Duke Of Paducah.

ad for 1951 Tucson concert in Arizona Daily Star

Through the next nearly two years of his life, Hank Williams continued to tour and to write and record prolifically, until his untimely death at 29 on January 1st, 1953.

ad for 1951 Phoenix concert in Arizona Republic

ad for 1950 Phoenix concert in Arizona Republic