The gray and red Nudie suit shown above belonged to Howard Watts also known as Cedric Rainwater.  The band all had matching suits. The Red Nudie shirt and tie shown above were worn by Hank Williams.

Hank had many groups of Drifting Cowboys.  Some were regulars, while others were part-time, and a few played on his recordings.  Names of others who performed with Hank seem to pop up on a regular basis.  Even though the members of Hank's Drifting Cowboy band changed throughout the years, the name of the band remained the same. 

Many boys grew up idolizing cowboy stars of the silver screen during the 1920's and 30's.  Hank Williams was one of those youngsters who fell under the magical spell of the cowboy lifestyle. 

 It was after his mother moved their family to Montgomery that Hank launched his historical music career, as well as that of his Drifting Cowboy band.   Little did the band members know that he would have such an impact on their futures.  They will forever be known as "Drifting Cowboys" regardless of the fact that some of them performed with country music giants such as Ernest Tubb, Ray Price, the Louvin Brothers,  the Wilburn Brothers, Patsy Cline, Lefty Frizzell, Little Jimmy Dickens, Loretta Lynn, Hank, Jr. and many more.

It is only by looking into the lives of the people who performed with Hank Williams, both before and after he became a music legend, that we are able to offer a unique glimpse into his life.

Photos of a few different band members.