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Phenomenal Early Response To These Recordings From 1951 Includes; Newsweek,
Rolling Stone, People Magazine, National Public Radio, Associated Press,
AARP Magazine, Hits Magazine, LA Times, Country Weekly, CMT, GAC, Etc.
Fairfax, VA (October 16, 2008) ---- The most highly anticipated project of 2008,
Hank Williams The Unreleased Recordings, will hit retail
stores on Tuesday, October 28th. The first installment showcases fifty-four of
the 143 recordings of Williams' performances on the 1951 WSM radio show sponsored
by Mother Best's Flour. The additional eighty-nine songs will
be released in separate installments during the next three years, with fans
getting to hear Hank as never before.
The first installment features Hank Williams performing exciting, new versions of
his classic hits including, "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," "Cold, Cold Heart,"
and "Hey, Good Lookin'," as well as songs he never recorded commercially
including, "Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain," "Cherokee Boogie," and
"Cool Water." On the CDs, Williams gives some insight about the songs
and with "On Top of Old Smoky," he explains this was a song he learned
from his grandmother singing it in the original, mournful Appalachian style
instead of the more upbeat version of the 1951 radio hit and campfire
singalong. The project gives the listener an intimate experience
with Williams that has never been possible before. It's almost like
inviting Willliams into your living room and getting a rare snapshot
of who he was in 1951.
Media has enthusiastically embraced the project with upcoming coverage in
Newsweek, People magazine, AARP magazine, National Pubic Radio/Weekend Edition Saturday
with Scott Simon, Rolling Stone, Los Angeles Times, Tennessean,
New York Daily News, New York Times, Hits magazine, Alternative Press,
Philadelphia Inquirer, CMT Insider, CMT.com, GAC/Master Series,
Country Weekly, to name a few.
"This is a once in a lifetime event in music history," says Mike Jason,
Time Life, Senior Vice President, Audio & Video Retail. "We have the unique
opportunity to present deeply personal, never before available, high quality
recordings from the father of Country music, Hank Williams.
The fact that the music survived all these years, despite almost being lost
a few times, makes our ability to share them all the more gratifying. When
we have released all the songs, Hank's available catalog of work will
be increased by 50%."
"These recordings are such a great snapshot of my dad, Hank Williams," says
his daughter, Jett Williams. "It shows his personality and the great sense of
humor he had and spotlights him singing his classics during one take in
a radio studio. For fans, it will be like a trip back to 1951 and a chance
for them, and me, to really get to know the total man that was country
music's first superstar."
In 1951, Williams was at the pinnacle of his career as several top pop
vocalists, including Tony Bennett and Perry Como, covered his mega-hit,
"Cold, Cold Heart." He also appeared on major national television shows
including The Perry Como Show and the last great medicine show, the Hadacol
Caravan, where he topped the bill over Bob Hope and Milton Berle. Those
appearances transformed Williams from a regional Country artist into
a national super-star. Since his death in 1953, Williams has risen
in popularity to become one of most iconic figures in all of American music.
About Time Life
Time Life and the Time Life logo are registered trademarks of Time Warner Inc.
and affiliated companies, used under license by Direct Holdings Americas Inc.,
which is not affiliated with Time Warner Inc. or Time Inc. Headquartered in
Fairfax VA, Direct Holdings Americas Inc.'s history began in 1961 as a direct
marketing division of Time Incorporated specializing in music and books.
The business has been operated as a separate company since the mid-1970s
when it relocated to Virginia, and has since grown to become one of
the world's largest direct marketers of audio and video products throughout
North America, Europe and Australia. The Company has set the standard in
the direct response industry by pioneering direct marketing techniques and
building one of the most trusted and recognized brands in commerce.
The Company now also sells its products through major traditional and
non-traditional retailers around the world as well as via the Internet.
The Company was sold in 2003 to private investors.
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