Could Any Star Today Match This Feat? [VIDEO]

He had a reputation for, let’s say, over-drinking, and that’s why he never was invited to appear on the Grand Ole Opry. But when Hank Williams recorded a huge number one hit with “Lovesick Blues” and appeared on the Opry’s biggest competitor – the Louisiana Hayride radio show the Opry had no choice but to invite him.

So at the age of 25, he was invited to appear on the Opry in what became one of the most famous debuts in the history of WSM Radio’s weekly live broadcast from the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

The audience called him out for six encores of “Homesick Blues”. The host had to beg the audience not to demand any more because the show had to move on. It led to regular appearances on the Opry for Williams over the next three years until the Opry was forced to fire him because of his drinking.

Hank Williams made his Opry debut on this date in 1949.