Hank Williams' 100th birthday celebrations planned across Alabama, US and UK

Shannon Heupel, Montgomery Advertiser
·7 min read
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September is turning into a month-long celebration of what would have been Hank Williams' 100th birthday on Sept. 17, with events planned in Montgomery — where he lived, sang and is buried — and across Alabama.

Of course, they're also celebrating the country music icon in Nashville, Tenn., and at other places across the country. There's even some international love for Hank happening overseas in the U.K.

Here are some of the events and where they're happening.

Bobby Tomberlin presents 10 Years of Hank (Mobile, Ala.)

  • Date: Sept. 7, 5 p.m.

  • Location: University of South Alabama Marx Library, Mobile

  • About: This event is part art show and part concert. At 5 p.m., view the Hank Williams Art Exhibit on the library’s third floor. At 6 p.m. Bobby Tomberlin presents music of Hank Williams on the first floor. At 7 p.m. there’s a meet-and-greet at the third floor exhibit. Tomberlin, a Mobile native, has written songs for Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton and the number one hit, "One More Day", recorded by Diamond Rio.

  • Tickets: $20 at eventbrite.com/e/bobby-tomberlin-presents-100-years-of-hank-tickets-681039406197

Groups across Alabama (especially in Montgomery), across the nation, and even overseas in the U.K. are planning celebrations in honor of the late Hank Williams for his 100th birthday on Sept. 17, 2023.
Groups across Alabama (especially in Montgomery), across the nation, and even overseas in the U.K. are planning celebrations in honor of the late Hank Williams for his 100th birthday on Sept. 17, 2023.

Hank Williams 100th Birthday Celebration (New Jersey)

  • Date: Sept. 10, 7 p.m.

  • Location: Bell Works, 101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, N.J.

  • About: Pat Guadagno is joined by Norman Seldin, Jackson Pines, Michael Patrick, and special guests to mark the 100th birthday anniversary.

  • Tickets: $35 in advance, $45 at door — https://ci.ovationtix.com/35486/production/1164195

The Hillbilly Shakespeare (Brundidge, Ala.)

  • Dates: Sept. 14 and 15 at 7 p.m., Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

  • Location: Big Brick Market, 123 S. A. Graham Blvd., Brundidge

  • Info: Live performances celebrating Hank's 100th birthday. Sept. 14 and 15 showings include a small dessert. The 11 a.m. Sept. 16 showing includes club sandwich and dessert. The 7 p.m. Sept. 16 showing includes baked ziti, garlic bread, dessert, sweet tea or lemonade. After the Saturday showing, stick around to enjoy Hank William's tribute music open mic/karaoke style.

  • Tickets: Start at $10 at eventbrite.com/e/the-hillbilly-shakespeare-tickets-694416336957

Blue Cadillac Series (Montgomery, Ala.)

Guest artists will perform in front of Hank Williams' blue Cadillac at the Hank Williams Museum in honor of Hank's 100th birthday.
Guest artists will perform in front of Hank Williams' blue Cadillac at the Hank Williams Museum in honor of Hank's 100th birthday.

  • Date: Sept. 15-17

  • Location: Hank Williams Museum, 118 Commerce St., Montgomery

  • About: Performances in the museum in front of the blue Cadillac inside the museum will include Dalton McSwain, Gaynell Moore, Trent Hudson, David Paul, Nowlin, and Larry Darnell. Performances during museum hours.

  • Learn more: thehankwilliamsmuseum.net

Day 1: Hank Williams 100th (Montgomery, Ala.)

Hank Williams 100th Birthday Celebration Gig (U.K.)

  • Date: Sept. 15, 8 p.m. to midnight (British Summer Time)

  • Location: The Donkey in Liecester, United Kingdom

  • Info: Tribute show featuring Rusty Steel (From England), Nick Whitfield (From Donkeyville), John Lewis (From Wales). Special guest Ags Connolly. Lewis and Steel won a CMA award for their 1999 Hank tribute album.

  • Tickets: wegottickets.com/event/585981

100th Birthday Celebration (Union Springs, Ala.)

  • Date: Sept. 15, 5:30 p.m.

  • Location: Josephine Art Center

  • About: Featuring music from Dale Sharpe & Thomas Roughton's (King of the Steel Guitar) Country Crossroads band. Also a meal of jambalya, country spiced cornbread and dessert.

  • Tickets: $40 at artatjosephine.com/events/hank-williams.html

Day 2: Hank Williams 100th (Montgomery, Ala.)

  • Date: Sept. 16, 2 p.m. (Doors open at 1 p.m.)

  • Location: Davis Theatre for the Performing Arts, 251 Montgomery St., Montgomery

  • About: Performances by Leona Williams and Ron Williams, and Perley Curtis & Band. The Jukebox Allstars Band: Andy Norman, Scot Dyess, Lanny Nichols, Jeremy Drawbaugh, Kyle Richburg and Tommy Beavers. The singers include: Woodie and Becky Hill, Trent Hudson, Roger Wilson, Mary Battiata, Larry Darnell, Karen Collins, Benjamin Bruce, Arty Hill, Arnold Sheppard, Morgan and Wes Brown. Presented by the Hank Williams Museum.

  • Tickets: $15-$25 at eventbrite.com/e/day-2-hank-williams-100th-birthday-celebration-montgomery-al-sept-16th-tickets-664751960007

Wreath laying ceremony at Hank's grave (Montgomery, Ala.)

Music and a wreath laying ceremony will happen at Hank Williams' grave in Montgomery at Oakwood Cemetery Annex on Sept. 17.
Music and a wreath laying ceremony will happen at Hank Williams' grave in Montgomery at Oakwood Cemetery Annex on Sept. 17.

  • Date: Sunday, Sept. 17, 8:45 a.m.

  • Location: Hank Williams grave at Oakwood Cemetery Annex, 1304 Upper Wetumpka Road, Montgomery

  • Info: At the gravesite, there will be a music performance for about 15 minutes. At 9 a.m., the annual wreath laying will take place. They'll also read a resolution from the Alabama Senate proclaiming Sept. 17, 2023, as Hank Williams Day.

  • Cost: Free

Day 3: Hank Williams 100th (Montgomery, Ala.)

Darrell Scott: 100 Years of Hank (Montgomery, Ala.)

  • Date: Sept. 17, 7 p.m.

  • Location: Montgomery Performing Arts Centre, 201 Tallapoosa St., Montgomery

  • Abourt: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Darrell Scott sings the blues of Hank Williams

  • Tickets: $17.50-$37 at mpaconline.org/events or call the MPAC box office at 334-481-5100.

Hank Williams 100th Birthday Sing-A-Long (Louisiana)

  • Date: Sept. 17, 2-2:30 p.m.

  • Location: Shreveport Municipal Auditorium, 705 Elvis Presley Ave., Shreveport, La.

  • About:  A short presentation and sing-a-long. They will do a few songs, have a proclamation and have birthday cake.

  • Admission: Free

Hank Williams Centennial Celebration (Florida)

  • Date: Sept. 17, 6-8 p.m. (EST)

  • Location: Wakulla Community Center, 318 Shadeville Road, Crawfordville, Fla.

  • Info: Anna Elizabeth Wescoat and friends, backed by a three-piece band, including pedal steel guitar player Bob Rhea, will be covering all Hank's greatest songs. Ida Belle's southern kitchen will be catering a BBQ dinner.

  • Tickets: $45 at annawescoatmusic.ticketleap.com/hank-williams-centennial-celebration

Hank Williams Birthday Tribute Show (Chicago)

A celebration of Hank Williams (U.K.)

  • Date: Sept. 17, 8 p.m.-midnight

  • Location: Sunflower Public House, 65 Union St., Belfast, United Kingdom

  • About: Live band playing the music of Hank Williams. This is a charity event, with proceeds supporting Chest, Heart & Stroke.

  • Tickets: facebook.com/events/317289540671267

Hank’s 100th: A concert in celebration of Hank Williams (Nashville, Tenn.)

  • Date: Sept. 21, 3:30-5 p.m.

  • Location: Country Music Hall of Fame, Nashville, Tenn.

  • Info: Suzy Bogguss, Laura Cantrell, Della Mae, Rodney Crowell, Brennen Leigh, Delbert McClinton, Charlie McCoy, Chuck Mead, Wendy Moten, Sam Williams, and more performing interpretations of Williams classics in various styles.

  • Tickets: Museum members can start reserving tickets at noon on Sept. 1 online at countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/hanks-100th-a-concert-in-celebration-of-hank-williams

Hank Williams Sr. 100th Birthday Bash (Buffalo, N.Y.)

  • Date: Sept. 21, 9 p.m.

  • Location: Nietzsche's, 248 Allen St., Buffalo, New York

  • Info: Hank's hits by The All Hank Band: Rob Falgiano vocals and acoustic guitar, Gene Hilts pedal steel guitar, Alan Whitney electric guitar and vocals, with more special guests.

  • Tickets $8 cover

Downtown Underground Concert Series (Kansas)

  • Date: Sept. 29, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

  • Location: Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St., Lawrence, Kansas

  • About: Celebrate the life and times of music that continues to inspire in this live music tribute concert. Presented in partnership with “Lonesome: Hank Williams’ 100th” exhibition.

  • Tickets: $25 in person or $12 livestream at lawrenceartscenter.org

Hank & My Honky Tonk Heroes (Ohio)

  • Date: Oct. 7, 7 p.m.

  • Location: Peoples Bank Theatre, 222 Putnam St., Marietta, Ohio

  • About: Jason Petty celebrates Hank Williams 100th birthday with his critically acclaimed tribute, “Hank and My Honky Tonk Heroes.”

  • Tickets: $22 to $78 at peoplesbanktheatre.com

Montgomery Advertiser reporter Shannon Heupel covers things to do in the River Region. Contact him at sheupel@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Hank Williams' 100th birthday events planned across Alabama, US and UK