Williams, Audrey: The Original Drifting Cowgirl
Audrey Williams’ claim to fame was her marriage to country music legend Hank Williams. She also longed for a music career of her own and being the wife of Hank opened doors for her. Her desire for fame led to a series of unsuccessful duets with Hank. Audrey also embarked on a solo career in the 1950s with a backing vocal group called the Cold, Cold Hearts. Audrey played a role in her husband's rise to fame and a central role in launching the career of her son, Hank Williams Junior.
Audrey Mae Sheppard was born in 1923 in Banks, Alabama, USA. Known as Audrey Williams, she was the first wife of the legendary Hank Williams Sr. and mother of Hank Williams Jr. Audrey met Hank in 1943 while he was playing a medicine show. The following year, the couple married and moved into his mother’s (Lillie) boarding house. Audrey became Hank’s manager soon after. By 1946, Williams was a local celebrity, but he was unable to make much headway nationally.
With Audrey taking up the motivational role that had once been the exclusive preserve of Hank's mother, the newly-wedded couple traveled to Nashville intending to meeting Fred Rose. An executive at Acuff-Rose Publishing, Fred’s forte was songwriting and music publishing. Rose liked Hank’s songs and arranged a recording session with Sterling Records, which resulted in two singles: Never Again (1946) and Honky Tonkin’ (1947). Both were moderately successful and Hank signed a contract with MGM Records early in 1947, with Rose as Hank's manager and record producer.
Meanwhile, Audrey soon began to push for her own spot in the limelight. Since the start of their relationship, Hank had occasionally allowed her to join in with his backing band, the Drifting Cowboys. As well as singing, Audrey played the upright bass. They recorded several duets together and Audrey was featured on the following recordings: Lost on The River, I Heard My Mother Praying For Me, Dear Brother, Jesus Remembered Me, The Pale Horse And His Rider, Jesus Died For Me, Help Me Understand, Something Got A Hold Of Me, I Want To Live And Love and Where The Soul of Man Never Dies.
In early 1948, tensions grew in their relationship, primarily from Hank’s chemical addiction and the couple separated. Hank had developed a serious problem with alcohol and various painkillers prescribed for him in an effort to ease his severe back pain, caused by his spinal bifida. Some critics have said Audrey played a role in Hank’s rise to fame, while others believe she encumbered his career. Hank was a poor Southern kid, who by his mid-twenties had suddenly landed more fame and fortune then he may have ever imagined.
After the massive success of Lovesick Blues, all eyes were upon him. The hits came pretty steady after this and Hank was big. He was big enough at last for the Opry and to be the new ruler of country music. Audrey may have played a role in Hank’s rise to fame, but what role did she play in his personal life? If she had enough control to foster his career, then why didn’t she help him get proper medical treatment? Frankly, llistening to Audrey’s singing may have escalated Williams’ chemical abuse. According to many critics, she lacked vocal talent and anyone listening to her singing may agree. The fact that she couldn’t sing could have caused tension in the relationship.
Hank’s marriage to Audrey was now in steady decline, and those who knew him could easily see the real-life parallels in songs like You're Gonna Change (or I'm Gonna Leave) and Cold, Cold Heart. Clearly, here was a man displaying his demons for all to see. Hank didn't have to interpret sad songs; he had only to sing from his heart.
Hank and Audrey reunited in 1949 and Audrey gave birth to Randall Williams (Hank Jr.). A few weeks later, she made an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry. In January of 1952, Hank and Audrey separated for a final time and Hank headed back to Montgomery to live with his mother. Williams' drug problems continued to spiral out of control as he then moved to Nashville moving in with Ray Price.
Hank and Audrey were divorced in 1952. Audrey was awarded the house and their child, as well as half of his future royalties. For a time, fame and fortune staved off the consequences of his destructive lifestyle. By mid-1952, however, his life was coming apart at the seams. Wracked with back pain, he was dependent on alcohol and, it is believed, morphine. In his final weeks, he spun hopelessly out of control. Hank died on January 1, 1953.
Like her late ex-husband, Audrey had problems with alcohol and drugs. Hank Jr. became estranged from her after he turned 18. Audrey tried to keep the Drifting Cowboys band together by doing show dates, but those were not real successful. Audrey never remarried. She died on November 4, 1975 and was buried at Oakwood Annex Cemetery Montgomery, Alabama, USA.
