Hank Williams pedal player Don Helms dies
Born in New Brockton, Ala., Helms also played steel guitar on Lefty Frizzell's recording of "Long Black Veil." In the late 1950s, he can be heard on two early Columbia Records recordings of Johnny Cash's, "The Fabulous Johnny Cash" and "Hymns By Johnny Cash."
In the mid-1960s Helms played in the Wilburn Brothers backup band, The Nashville Tennesseans. Helms later was in the touring version of the Drifting Cowboys, the backing band for Hank's daughter, Jett Williams.
Helms, who also played for Hank Jr., also enjoyed success as a songwriter. He penned Brenda Lee's first number one hit "Fool Number One" in exchange for getting Loretta Lynn a recording contract with Decca Records. He also wrote "The Ballad of Hank Williams," which he performed with Hank Jr. on "The Pressure Is On" LP Released in 1981.
More news for Hank Williams
- 11/25/19: Hank radio recordings, book coming
- 06/08/12: Hank Williams film, discussion panel comes to New York
- 08/04/11: Hank Sr. songs see light of day
- 07/27/11: More Hank recordings coming
- 02/13/11: Beatles take Grammy over Hank Williams
- 12/07/10: Hank, Willie, Wills receive Grammy hall honors
- 11/03/10: Williams' Family Tradition continues
- 04/12/10: Hank Williams receives Pulitzer Prize
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