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Donald's Encyclopedia of Popular MusicA B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y ZDRIFTING COWBOYSHank Williams's touring and recording band, later re-formed. The best-known lineup: Don Helms (b 28 February 1927; d 11 August 2008 in Nashville) had played steel guitar with Hank off and on since 1943; guitarist Bob McNett (b 16 October 1925, Roaring Branch PA; d 21 June 1995, Montgomery PA) came to Nashville from Shreveport with Hank; McNett left the band in 1950, replaced by Sammy Pruett (b 27 November 1926; d 17 March 1988, Birminham AL). In 1949 fiddler Jerry Rivers (b 25 August 1928, Miami; d 4 October 1996) and bassist Hillous Butram (b 21 April 1928, Lafayette TN; d 27 April 2002, Nashville) were added. They toured with Hank and played on nearly all his records. After his death they worked individually or as a group with Ray Price (who renamed them the Cherokee Cowboys), Ferlin Husky, Carl Smith, Marty Robbins, Hank Snow and many others. Helms recorded with Johnny Cash at Columbia, and was heard on Patsy Cline's 'Walking After Midnight,' Stonewall Jackson’s 'Waterloo,' the Louvin Brothers’ 'Cash on the Barrelhead,' Lefty Frizzell’s 'Long Black Veil' and Loretta Lynn’s 'Blue Kentucky Girl.' At the end of his life he was working with Vince Gill on some undeveloped Hank Williams material. Rivers published a Williams biography, From Life To Legend '64. The group re-formed most successfully from 1977 to 1984, including UK tours and a Wembley appearance; albums included Jim Owen And The Drifting Cowboys - A Song For Us All '79 on Epic, A Tribute To Hank Williams '80 on Standing Stone, Live '81 on Westwood. |