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The 16-disc collector’s box set contains 72 complete 15-minute shows, featuring 143 performances by Hank Williams together with conversation, and much more. In the music and talk, Williams is revealed like never before. It is the first three-dimensional portrait of an American music legend!

The recordings are from Williams’ Mother’s Best Flour shows, recorded at the pinnacle of his career in 1951. When Williams was planning to be out on tour, he prerecorded his Mother’s Best shows, and 72 of them miraculously survived. Thinking the shows would only reach a small, mostly rural audience in mid-Tennessee, Hank was unguarded in both his conversation and choice of songs. Accordingly, we hear him perform many songs he never performed elsewhere, including some from his childhood. . The original acetate recordings were painstakingly restored after they were salvaged from a trash can by a WSM employee and turned over to the Hank Williams estate. The sound quality of these exceptional radio shows is at least comparable to his studio recordings, and many critics have remarked that the “direct-to-disc” Mother’s Best recordings actually have more presence and clarity.

Hank Williams Complete Mother Best Recordings….Plus! is comprised of fifteen audio discs and a bonus DVD. The shows contain so many priceless moments, including Williams’ first-ever performances of “Cold, Cold Heart” and “I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You)” just days after they were written, as well as many songs he never recorded elsewhere such as “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” and “On Top of Old Smoky.” On the DVD, two of Hank’s original band members reminisce about his brief, incendiary career. Sadly, both of them died shortly afterward. . The project also contains a booklet with an introduction by Hank Williams, Jr. and over one-hundred pages on the history of Williams, written by respected music writer and Hank Williams historian, Colin Escott. This deluxe, limited box set is packaged in an antique working radio where the listener presses the radio dial and selections of Williams will play.

Song list:

Songs in red: Hank never recorded elsewhere.

Songs in blue: Hank never recorded commercially. These are often the only full-band,

high quality recordings!

CD 1

Show 1, January 10, 1951

1 Introduction

2 Where the Old Red River Flows

3 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Over Moonlit Waters

4 How Can You Refuse Him Now

5 Closing

Show 2, January 11, 1951

6 Introduction

7 Alabama Waltz

8 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Fire on the Mountain

9 Lord Build Me a Cabin

10 Closing

Show 3, January 12, 1951

11 Introduction

12 Nobody’s Lonesome for Me

13 Don Helms, Sammy Pruett & the Drifting Cowboys: Twin Guitar Polka

14 Gathering Flowers for the Master’s Bouquet

15 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Eighth of January

16 Closing

Show 4, January 15, 1951

17 Introduction

18 The Blind Child’s Prayer

19 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Blue Steel Blues

20 When God Dips His Love in My Heart

21 Closing

Show 5, January 16, 1951

22 Introduction

23 Mansion on the Hill

24 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: I Like that Kind

25Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: How Can You Refuse Him Now

26 Closing

CD 2

Show 6, January 17, 1951

1 Introduction

2 Nobody’s Lonesome for Me

3 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: My Tight Wad Daddy

4 I’ll Have a New Life

5 Closing

Show 7, January 18, 1951

6 Introduction

7 Everything’s Okay

8 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Why Should I Cry

9 Hank & Audrey and the Drifting Cowboys: I Heard My Mother Praying for Me

10 Closing

Show 8, January 19, 1951

11 Introduction

12 Move It on Over

13 Audrey Williams: I’m Satisfied with Life

14 I Saw the Light

15 Closing

Show 9, January 22, 1951

16 Introduction

17 Seaman’s Blues

18 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Blues in My Mind

19 Hank & Audrey and the Drifting Cowboys: Something Got a Hold of Me

20 Closing

Show 10, January 23, 1951

21 Introduction

22 Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

23 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Bonaparte’s Retreat

24 I’ve Just Told Mama Goodbye

25 Closing

CD 3

Show 11, January 24, 1951

1 Introduction

2 May You Never Be Alone

3 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: My Love for You (Has Turned to Hate)

4 Hank & Audrey and the Drifting Cowboys: Dear Brother

5 Closing

Show 12, January 25, 1951

6 Introduction

7 They’ll Never Take Her Love from Me

8 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: (Last Night) I Heard You Crying in My Sleep

9 Wait for the Light to Shine

10 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Whistling Rufus

11 Closing

Show 13, January 26, 1951

12 Introduction

13 Pins and Needles (in My Heart)

14 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Four Flusher

15 Hank & Audrey and the Drifting Cowboys: I Heard My Mother Praying for Me

16 Closing

Show 14, January 29, 1951

17 Introduction

18 Cool Water

19 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Orange Blossom Special

20 Oh Those Tombs (Lonely Tombs)

21 Closing

Show 15, January 30, 1951

22 Introduction

23 I Just Don’t Like This Kind of Living

24 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: You Don’t Have Be a Baby to Cry

25 Hank & Audrey Williams and the Drifting Cowboys: Jesus Remembered Me

26 Closing

CD 4

Show 16, January 31, 1951

1 Introduction

2 On the Banks of the Pontchartrain

3 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Blue Love (In My Heart)

4 Calling You

5 Closing

Show 17, February 1, 1951

6 Introduction

7 My Sweet Love Ain’t Around

8 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Model T Love

9 Where the Soul Never Dies

10 Closing

Show 18, February 2, 1951

11 Introduction

12 Mind Your Own Business

13 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: I Like that Kind

14 When God Dips His Love in My Heart

15 Closing

Show 19, February 6, 1951

16 Introduction

17 Cold, Cold Heart

18 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Honky Tonkin’

19 Jerry Rivers, Hank Williams, Cousin Louie Buck & the Drifting Cowboys: Sally Goodin

20 Closing

Show 20, February 7, 1951

21 Introduction

22 Dear John

23 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: I’m Satisfied with Life

24 Hank & Audrey Williams and the Drifting Cowboys: Something Got a Hold of Me

25 Closing

CD 5

Show 21, February 12, 1951

1 Introduction

2 Move It on Over

3 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Waltz of the Wind

4 I’ll Have a New Life

5 Closing

Show 22, February 13, 1951

6 Introduction

7 Faded Love and Winter Roses

8 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Four Flusher

9 I Saw the Light

10 Closing

Show 23, For February 16, 1951

11 Introduction

12 At the First Fall of Snow

13 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: I Like that Kind

14 When God Dips His Love in My Heart

15 Closing

Show 24, February 19, 1951

16 Introduction

17 Wedding Bells

18 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: My Tight Wad Daddy

19 Where the Soul of Man Never Dies

20 Closing

Show 25, February 20, 1951

21 Introduction

22 Why Don’t You Love Me

23 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Blue Love (In My Heart)

24 Hank & Audrey with the Drifting Cowboys: Dear Brother

25 Closing

CD 6

Show 26, February 21, 1951

1 Introduction

2 Why Should We Try Any More

3 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Low and Lonely

4 Jesus Died for Me

5 Closing

Show 27, February 22, 1951

6 Introduction

7 Long Gone Lonesome Blues

8 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: (Last Night) I Heard You Crying in Your Sleep

9 Oh Those Tombs (Lonely Tombs)

10 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Turkey in the Straw

11 Closing

Show 28, February 23, 1951

12 Introduction

13 Dear John

14 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: If You Want Some Lovin’

15 Hank & Audrey and the Drifting Cowboys: I Heard My Mother Praying for Me

16 Closing

Show 29, February 1951

17 Introduction

18 Moanin’ the Blues

19 Audrey Williams & the Drifting Cowboys: Honky Tonkin’

20 I’ll Have a New Life

21 Closing

Show 30, early March 1951

22 Introduction

23 Dear John

24 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Roadside Rag

25 I’ll Fly Away

26 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Bonaparte’s Retreat

27 Closing

CD 7

Show 31, early March 1951

1 Introduction

2 Cold, Cold Heart

3 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Fire on the Mountain

4 Farther Along

5 Closing

Show 32, spring 1951

6 Introduction

7 May You Never Be Alone

8 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Arkansas Traveler

9 I’ll Have a New Life

10 Closing

Show 33, spring 1951

11 Introduction

12 Next Sunday Darling Is My Birthday

13 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Old Joe Clark

14 Deck of Cards

15 Closing

Show 34, spring 1951

16 Introduction

17 Tennessee Border

18 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Blue Bonnet Rag

19 Dear Brother (Hank’s only known solo recording!)

20 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Whistling Rufus

21 Closing

Show 35, April 1951

22 Introduction

23 I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You)

24 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Panhandle Rag

25 Gathering Flowers for the Master’s Bouquet

26 Closing

CD 8

Show 36, May 1951

1 Introduction

2 Pictures from Life’s Other Side with extra verse

3 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Sally Goodin

4 I’m Gonna Sing

5 Closing

Show 37, May 1951

6 Introduction

7 Just Waitin’

8 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Paradise Isle

9 When the Fire Comes down from Heaven

10 Closing

Show 38, May 1951

11 Introduction

12 My Sweet Love Ain’t Around

13 Jimmie Skinner & the Drifting Cowboys: I Can’t Tell My Heart That

14 Where the Soul of Man Never Dies

15 Closing

Show 39, May 1951

16 Introduction

17 I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You)

18 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Panhandle Rag

19 Drifting Too Far from the Shore

20 Closing

Show 40, May 1951

21 Introduction

22 Just When I Needed You

23 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Steel Guitar Stomp

24 I’ll Fly Away

25 Closing

CD 9

Show 41, May 1951

1 Introduction

2 Cold, Cold Heart

3 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Dance All Night

4 The Old Country Church

5 Closing

Show 42, May 1951

6 Introduction

7 Move It on Over

8 Sammy Pruett and the Drifting Cowboys: The Darktown Strutters’ Ball

9 Thy Burdens Are Greater than Mine

10 Closing

Show 43, May 1951

11 introduction

12 Faded Love and Winter Roses

13 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Fire on the Mountain

14 I Heard My Savior Calling Me

15 Closing

Show 44, May 1951

16 Introduction

17 Just When I Needed You

18 Johnnie & Jack: I Can’t Tell My Heart That

19 Farther Along

20 Closing

Show 45, spring 1951

21 Introduction

22 There’s Nothing as Sweet as My Baby

23 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Turkey in the Straw

24 Wait for the Light to Shine

25 Closing

CD 10

Show 46, spring 1951

1 Introduction

2 Where the Old Red River Flows

3 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Blue Steel Blues

4 Thirty Pieces of Silver

5 Closing

Show 47, spring 1951

6 Introduction

7 On Top of Old Smoky

8 Sammy Pruett & the Drifting Cowboys: Columbus Stockade Blues

9 The Prodigal Son

10 Closing

Show 48, July 1951

11 Introduction

12 Moanin’ the Blues

13 Don Helms, Sammy Pruett & the Drifting Cowboys: Blue Steel Blues

14 I Dreamed about Mom Last Night

15 Closing

Show 49, July 1951

16 Introduction

17 Where the Old Red River Flows

18 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Orange Blossom Special

19 Where He Leads Me, I Will Follow

20 Closing

Show 50, July 1951

21 Introduction

22 I Hang My Head and Cry

23 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Tennessee Wagner

24 At the Cross

25 Closing

CD 11

Show 51, fall 1951

1 Introduction

2 I Dreamed about Mom Last Night

3 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Black Mountain Rag

4 I Heard My Savior Call

5 Closing

Show 52, fall 1951

6 Introduction

7 Low and Lonely

8 Big Bill Lister & the Drifting Cowboys: Foolish Questions

9 The Funeral/Steal Away

10 Closing

Show 53, fall 1951

11 Introduction

12 Mind Your Own Business

13 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Old Joe Clark

14 I Dreamed about Mom Last Night

15 Closing

Disc 54, fall 1951

16 Introduction

17 I Just Don’t Like this Kind of Livin’

18 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Tennessee Wagner

19 The Pale Horse and His Rider (Hank’s only known solo recording!)

20 Closing

Show 55, October 1951

21 Introduction

22 My Sweet Love Ain’t Around

23 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Fire on the Mountain

24 I Saw the Light

25 Closing

CD 12

Show 56, fall 1951

1 Introduction

2 I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry

3 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Corrine, Corrina

4 I Heard My Savior Calling Me

5 Closing

Disc 57, fall 1951

6 Introduction

7 If I Didn’t Love You

8 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Panhandle Rag

9 Wait for the Light to Shine

10 Closing

Show 58, fall 1951

11 Introduction

12 You Blotted My Happy School Days

13 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Orange Blossom Special

14 Dust on the Bible

15 Closing

Disc 59, fall 1951

16 Introduction

17 I’ve Been Down that Road Before

18 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Gentle Annie

19 I’ve Got My One-Way Ticket to the Sky

20 Closing

Disc 60, October 1951

21 Introduction

22 Hey Good Lookin’

23 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Alabama Jubilee

24 Searching for a Soldier’s Grave

25 Closing

CD 13

Disc 61, October 1951

1 Introduction

2 California Zephyr

3 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Down Yonder

4 Softly and Tenderly

5 Closing

Disc 62, fall 1951

6 Introduction

7 Lonesome Whistle

8 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Roadside Rag

9 I Am Bound for the Promised Land

10 Closing

Show 63, fall 1951

11 Introduction

12 Have I Told You Lately that I Love You

13 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Sally Goodin

14 When the Saints Go Marchin’ in

15 Closing

Show 64, fall 1951

16 Introduction

17 Hey, Good Lookin’

18 The Drifting Cowboys: Silver Bell

19 I’m Gonna Sing

20 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Turkey in the Straw

21 Closing

Show 65, fall 1951

22 Introduction

23 I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You)

24 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Dance All Night

25 Oh, Those Tombs (Lonely Tombs)

26 Closing

Show 66 (incomplete), fall 1951

27 Introduction

28 Crazy Heart (incomplete)

CD 14

Show 67, fall 1951

1 Introduction

2 I Can’t Tell My Heart That

3 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Georgia Steel Guitar

4 Precious Lord, Take My Hand

5 Closing

Show 68, fall 1951.

6 Introduction

7 Just Waitin’

8 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: Eighth of January

9 From Jerusalem to Jericho

10 Closing

Show 69, fall 1951

11 Introduction

12 I’ll Sail My Ship Alone

13 Don Helms, Jerry Rivers and the Drifting Cowboys: Gentle Annie

14 I’ll Have a New Life

15 Closing

Show 70, fall 1951

16 Introduction

17 Lonesome Whistle

18 Jerry Rivers & the Drifting Cowboys: I Don’t Love Nobody

19 I Dreamed that the Great Judgment Morning

20 Closing

Show 71, October or November 1951

21 Introduction

22 Cherokee Boogie

23 Don Helms & the Drifting Cowboys: Columbus Stockade Blues

24 That Beautiful Home

25 Closing

CD 15

Show 72, The Aunt Jemima audition, spring 1952

1 Introduction

2 Why Don’t You Love Me?

3 Owen Bradley & his Orchestra: San Antonio Rose

4 The Beasley Sisters: Honey, Be My Honey Bee

5 Cold, Cold Heart

Show 73,

Stars in Her Eyes: anti-Venereal Disease play