Local Musicians Convene To Celebrate Hank Williams Dec. 30

BIRMINGHAM, AL - What has become a Birmingham tradition continues December 30 at Iron City in Birmingham, as the 10th Annual Hank Night takes place, beginning at 8 p.m. Local music icon Chad Fisher, longtime staple in the local music scene and currently a member of St. Paul & the Broken Bones, is the host for the night of tribute to Alabama music legend Hank Williams.

Some of the musicians that will join Fisher on stage include Heath Green, Jody Nelson, Rick Carter, Will Stewart, Janet Simpson, Carole Griffin and Gary Wheat, among others.

So how did this tradition begin, and what is the significance of the time of year? Fisher answered that with a piece of music history some may not know. "I first started listening to songwriters and Hank Williams seriously about 10-12 years ago," Fisher said. "Before that, being that I’m a trombone player, I mainly listened to a lot of jazz and instrumental music. So it was new to me. Hank’s music spoke to me not only because of the indisputably good heartbreaking lyrics, but because of his unmistakable Alabama character. His voice sounds like my great uncles and many of his songs and melodies come not only from the blues but directly from traditional southern hymns."

December 30 is especially significant for Hank Williams, apparently. "For a couple of years I was pretty Hank obsessed and in 2009 I decided to get together with old friends and play Hank songs for a night," Fisher said. "We booked ourselves at the old Speakeasy bar on December 30th. The date has significance for Birmingham because it was the date that Hank stayed here on his famous 'last ride.' He died the following night."

Fisher said that first night, he and his musicians buddies showed up to load into the Speakeasy and the place was already packed and ready to go. "It was a remarkable night and we’ve done it every December 30th since. 10 years," Fisher said. (For more on local arts and entertainment, and free news alerts for your neighborhood, sign up for your local Patch morning newsletter.)

Tickets to the event are only $15 in advance and $20 at the door, and Fisher said the crowd can expect legendary hits like "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Hey, Good Lookin'," and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry," among many more.

"The guys in The Hank Night Band are all excellent musicians that have an understanding of the classic country style," Fisher said. "We play everything pretty traditionally and that is a rarity around Birmingham these days. We all share singing duties and also have awesome guests come in and out throughout the night. Then when you add the horns it really turns into a party."

Fisher said even people who may not be "Hank obsessed" will have a good time and likely walk away as fans. "I think he put Alabama music on the map," Fisher said of Williams. "In his time, most music coming from Alabama was labeled as 'hillbilly music.' It wasn’t believed to have substance. Hank came along with songs so good that they transcended these labels. Everyone started covering his songs. From Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong to Norah Jones. Everyone knows Hank Williams’ songs. That’s honestly one of the best parts of Hank Night. People of all ages and backgrounds come out to celebrate. People that aren’t even familiar Hank Williams come out and walk away fans. It’s really a lot of fun."

Image via Iron City Birmingham