Audrey Williams
| Audrey Williams | |
|---|---|
Audrey and Hank Williams
|
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Audrey Mae Sheppard |
| Born |
February 28, 1923 Banks, Alabama, U.S. |
| Died | November 4, 1975 (aged 52) |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) |
|
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 1937–1975 |
| Labels | MGM |
| Associated acts | |
Audrey Mae Sheppard Williams (February 28, 1923 – November 4, 1975), was an American musician known for being the first wife of country music icon Hank Williams, Sr. and the mother of Hank Williams, Jr.
Sheppard was born in Banks, Alabama, the daughter of Artie Mae (née Harden; 1903–1976) and Charles "Shelton" Sheppard. She grew up on a farm owned and worked by her parents. Sheppard's first husband was James Guy, whom she married when she was a high school senior. Together, they had a daughter, Lycretia, born in 1941. Soon after their daughter's birth, the couple separated.
Sheppard met Hank Williams in 1943. Despite the objections of both Williams' mother and the musicians in his band, Sheppard was added to the band as an occasional singer and upright bass player. In December 1944, the two were married 10 days after the finalization of Sheppard's divorce from her first husband. The ceremony was performed by a justice of the peace at the officiant's gas station in Andalusia, Alabama.
Soon after their wedding, the new Mrs. Williams took the role of her husband's unofficial manager, a position previously held by her mother-in-law, Lillie Williams. The newlywed couple visited Nashville with the intent of meeting songwriter and music publisher Fred Rose of Acuff-Rose Publishing. The meeting resulted in Hank Williams recording two singles for Sterling Records: “Never Again” in December 1946 and “Honky Tonkin’” in February 1947. Both proved successful and a contract was signed with MGM Records in 1947, with Rose becoming the singer's official manager and record producer.
Williams, however, began to push for her own spot in the limelight. Country biographer Colin Escott wrote "Her duets with Hank were like an extension of their married life in that she fought him for dominance on every note." Having recorded several duets with her husband, Williams was featured on the recordings of "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".
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