As any country music fan comparing Hank Williams Sr. and Willie Nelson was an interesting challenge. Both are country music idols noted for changing the industry. The lives of both legends have similarly beginnings, with times of struggle, and time of success. But what marks the difference in these two influential men was the means of how they ended up coping with fame of being in the lime light. The obvious place to start this comparison is with the beginnings of Hank Williams Sr., one of the most famous American Song writers. He was born during the 1920’s to a loving mother and mentally unstable father. Hank was influenced by country music stars like Jimmie Rodgers and Roy Acuff, but his mentor was Rufus Payne. Rufus was a poor black street performer that taught Hank guitar chords and chord progression for food. Hank credits Rufus as being his only music teacher. Hank Williams started his career playing in honky-tonk bars but it
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Willie was born in the 30’s during the great depression. After he was born his mother left his father and his father remarried and moved leaving Willie to be raised by his grandparents. Willie accredits his music styles are influenced by Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and none other than Hank Williams. Willie Nelson learned to play the guitar at a very young age. He wrote his first song when he was only nine years old. Willie Nelson joined the airforce in 1950 during the Korean War, but he was medically discharged due to back problems. He dropped out of Baylor University because of his success of his music and started his musical career in the 60’s writing songs for hit artist like Ray Price and Billie Walker. It wasn’t until the 70’s that Willie Nelson became popular. Today you can still see Willie Nelson performing, over the decades he was explored different genres of music like reggae, blues, and jazz. No matter what he writes, he still holds on to his folk honk-tonk
Willie was born in the 30’s during the great depression. After he was born his mother left his father and his father remarried and moved leaving Willie to be raised by his grandparents. Willie accredits his music styles are influenced by Frank Sinatra, Louis Armstrong and none other than Hank Williams. Willie Nelson learned to play the guitar at a very young age. He wrote his first song when he was only nine years old. Willie Nelson joined the airforce in 1950 during the Korean War, but he was medically discharged due to back problems. He dropped out of Baylor University because of his success of his music and started his musical career in the 60’s writing songs for hit artist like Ray Price and Billie Walker. It wasn’t until the 70’s that Willie Nelson became popular. Today you can still see Willie Nelson performing, over the decades he was explored different genres of music like reggae, blues, and jazz. No matter what he writes, he still holds on to his folk honk-tonk