Hank

I knew nothing about him, not having a radio in our family home. But there we were, my buddy Gord and I on assignment for Quality Records who handled MGM and other labels in Canada. In our last years of high school we earned enough from these infrequent photo gigs to supplement more regular pay. In my case working part-time for a local supermarket. Doing the gamut from cutting meat to stocking shelves.

It was October 27, 1949 and I was seventeen, in grade thirteen, my final year. On the other hand, Hank was just short of nine years my senior, and had made it to #1 on the Billboard Country Singles chart with his version of Lovesick Blues.

The show took place in the Mutual Arena, a venue for ice skating in winter, and in summer a “roller rink”. It was my first venture into this particular kind of worldly atmosphere. But not the last. I was somewhat overwhelmed, and very intimidated as we entered the cavernous hall. The stage setting, lighting, and swelling audience were a far cry even from the high school auditorium gatherings. Even more remote from our gospel hall’s special meetings.

We were nervous. You can take landscape, or store window display photos over again if you flub them the first time around. But concerts are another matter. Our primary task was to take some shots after the show was over. Which it was all too quickly. Using Gord’s Kodak Vigilant, f/4.5 lens, bellows extended, loaded with a roll of 620 Super-XX, and with a carton of eight GE flashbulbs at hand we began. All eight shots counted.

Neither of us had any directorial skills, but fortunately the record company rep managed that for us. Hank Williams was most gracious to these two amateurs. So was Fred Roden, with Hank in this picture. For many years afterwards I meant to drop into Fred Roden’s Record Corral on Avenue Road north, and give him prints. But, like many good intentions .....