Welcome to another edition of Steyn's Song of the Week. Today, we pay tribute to country icon Hank Williams, born exactly a century ago on September 17, 1923. Williams had 55 Billboard Top 10 singles, 12 of which hit Number 1. It's an impressive feat in general, but all the more so for a man whose career was cut short by his untimely death at 29.
As Mark discusses, Williams had a challenging life replete with health and addiction issues, though he nonetheless inspired generations of country artists.
This edition of Song of the Week was filmed aboard the Mark Steyn Cruise before an audience of Mark Steyn Cruisers from around the world, including a few from Williams' birth state of Alabama. First up is Mark's Canadian compatriot Tal Bachman with his take on "Lonesome Whistle." Then, Tal is joined by Lola Aviva for a rousing duet of "Hey Good Lookin'."
Live renditions of Steyn's Song of the Week are among the many things you get to enjoy aboard our cruises. The 2024 Mark Steyn Cruise just launched and has as confirmed guests Conrad Black, Michele Bachmann, Andrew Lawton, Leilani Dowding, and James 'Bo Snerdley' Golden, as well as Mark Steyn himself. Get the details and book your stateroom here.
This airing of Steyn's Serenade Song of the Week is a special presentation of The Mark Steyn Club. We launched the Steyn Club over six years ago, and we're immensely heartened by all the longtime SteynOnline regulars - from Fargo to Fiji, Madrid to Malaysia, West Virginia to Witless Bay - who've signed up to be a part of it. Membership in The Mark Steyn Club also comes with non-musical benefits, including:
~Our latest audio adventure in Tales for Our Time - Mark's variation on a theme of H G Wells - and no fewer than five dozen thrilling predecessors;
~Other audio series on pertinent topics, such as our serialization of Climate Change: The Facts and our adaptation of Mark Steyn's Passing Parade;
~Mark's exclusive anthology of video poetry - because, as he always says, that's where the big bucks are;
~Exclusive Steyn Store member pricing on over 40 books, mugs, T-shirts, and other products;
~The opportunity to engage in live Clubland Q&A sessions with Mark (such as this coming Friday's);
~Transcript and audio versions of The Mark Steyn Show, and other video content;
~Advance booking for the fourth annual Mark Steyn Cruise and other live appearances around the world;
~Customized email alerts for new content in your areas of interest;
~and the chance to support our print, audio and video ventures as they wing their way around the planet.
To become a member of The Mark Steyn Club, please click here. And for our special Gift Membership see here. Oh, and by the way, the above-mentioned Steyn cruise always includes a live performance of a Song of the Week.
One other benefit to Club Membership is our Comment Club privileges. So, if you feel this show is more of a star bust, then give it your best below. Please do stay on topic on all our comment threads, because that's the way to keep them focused and readable. With that caution, have at it.