HANK WILLIAMS AT 100

The centennial celebration of Hank Williams’ birth begins today with the release of a new digital collection and continues with tribute concerts, induction into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and more.

Sunday (9/17) marks the 100th anniversary of Williams’ birth. Over the next year his career and legacy will be honored around the world.

“Hank Williams was a force of nature who left an incredible catalog of songs that are still seen as the highest standard of the craft of songwriting,” said Bruce Resnikoff, president & CEO of UMe, the global catalog division of Universal Music Group. “UMe remains honored to be the stewards of his timeless songs and to help further his legacy by continuing to introduce new generations to his music.”

Mercury Nashville/UMe has released Hank Williams 100, featuring 19 of Williams’ most popular songs and greatest hits. The first half offers upbeat fare such as “Jambalaya (On the Bayou),” “Hey, Good Lookin’” and “Move It on Over,” with his darker, more introspective material—"Lost Highway," "I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Your Cheatin’ Heart"—making up the second half.

“Hank Williams is one of the crucial cornerstones upon which the American artform of country music is built. He was able to fuse country with the blues and gospel in a way that stripped popular music to its essence with an appeal beyond genre and culture. His songs are performed every day in the honky-tonks on Lower Broadway in Nashville, but also by artists all over the world. We are proud to represent the evergreen catalog of Hank Williams and introduce new generations to one of the finest purveyors of three chords and the truth,”UMG Nashville Chair & CEO Cindy Mabe said.

Hank’s 100th: A Concert in Celebration of Hank Williams will be presented by Spotify in partnership with the Americana Music Association on 9/21 at Nashville’s CMA Theater during the Americana Music Festival. Performers include Delbert McClinton, Della Mae, Laura Cantrell, Rodney Crowell, Suzy Bogguss, Charlie McCoy and Connie Smith. Sam Williams—who has released a new version of “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry”—Hilary Williams and Holly Williams will pay special tribute to their grandfather at the event, and Spotify has created a 66-song "Happy 100th Birthday Hank" playlist.

Meanwhile, a three-day gala concert presented by The Hank Williams Museum begins today at Troy University’s Davis Theatre in Montgomery, Alabama (Williams was born in the rural community of Mount Olive in Butler County, Alabama). Presenting country and bluegrass acts, it will conclude with a memorial service at Williams’ gravesite, in Montgomery's Oakwood Cemetery Annex, on Sunday. The Rockabilly Hall of Fame induction ceremony will be held Sunday as well.

Saving Country Music is keeping track of all the Hank celebrations.

Hank Williams died on Jan. 1, 1953, at the age of 29.