Former Drifting Cowboys member dies
Monday, October 26, 2009 – Steel guitarist Robert D. Norred, one-time member of Hank Williams' backing band for a short period in the late 1940s, died Sunday, Oct. 25.
Norred was born Jan. 16, 1919 in Sylacauga, Ala. Norred was a band member of the Drifting Cowboys from late 1947 until early 1948, playing on Wiliams' radio show on WSFA in Montgomery, Ala. along with Joe Penny, Lum York, and Winston "Red" Todd.
Norred worked in the cotton mills of Talladega, Ala. For seven yearse and played music on the side. For 10 years, he played with Hal Howard and the Pearl River Boys. He later was as a member of Mac Sanders' Troubadores and was heard on WRBL Radio in Birmingham, Ala. Norred eventually opened his own TV sales and service business.
More news for Hank Williams
CD reviews for Hank Williams
Revealed The Unreleased Recordings
After his death in 1953, Hank Williams, became less a performer than a post-mortem brand name wherein his basic personality as an artist was increasingly downplayed and diminished. This remarkably enjoyable three-CD set, drawn from warmly remastered acetates - featuring occasional surface noise - of the old Mother's Best radio show, showcases much of that nearly lost essence.
Supported by his regular collaborators the Drifting Cowboys, Williams brings surprising drive to live renditions his »»» |
The Unreleased Hank Williams
Today it would be unthinkable that one of country music's current superstars would make live recordings to be aired on one commercial radio station on an almost daily basis. But the world of Hank Williams in 1951 was quite different than anything in the genre today. Fortunately through some legal battles Hank's daughter Jett came into possession of recordings made by her father for WSM in that year, and the highlights are in this three-disc set. The programs were aired at 7:15 a.m. »»» |
Alone With His Guitar
Hank Williams didn't live long enough to make any bad recordings, so the usual question one asks of an album - is it good? - is irrelevant with his "new" releases. The real question is whether there's anything here that someone really needs. This album consists of solo demo and radio broadcast recordings otherwise available only on "The Complete Hank Williams Box Set." As powerful and riveting as Hank can be on these stark recordings, anyone interested enough to feel compelled to hear them needs »»» |
Editorial: American Idol's Carrie Underwood can sing –
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Concert Review: McBride, Adkins shine sometimes –
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Concert Review: Eilen Jewell wears her musical hats well –
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