Noted Author of New Hank Williams Book at UA Sept. 28

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama author Paul Hemphill will visit The University of Alabama Wednesday, Sept. 28, from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to talk about and sign copies of his latest book “Lovesick Blues: The Life of Hank Williams” (Viking, 2005) at the W.S. Hoole Special Collections Library in Mary Harmon Bryant Hall.

Hemphill’s book has been described as a very personal look at singer Hank Williams, offering a definitive biography of the much-loved Alabama native and his music.

Hemphill is known for his finely-drawn portraits of the Southern working class. The Birmingham native has written 15 books, fiction and non-fiction, tackling topics such as baseball, the Civil Rights era and NASCAR. He currently teaches writing at Emory University.

The schedule for the UA event includes:

4:30-5:05 p.m. – Open house/reception/book signing
5:15-6:15 p.m. – Paul Hemphill talks about Hank Williams and his work
6:15-6:30 p.m. – Additional book signing opportunity

The event is free and open to the public.

Copies of “Lovesick Blues: The Life of Hank Williams” will be available for purchase and signing at the event, along with some of Hemphill’s other works.

An exhibit related to Hank Williams will be on display in the lobby of the Hoole Library, Sept. 23-Dec. 23. The exhibit, curated by Jessica Lacher-Feldman of the library, will feature sheet music, sound recordings, published materials and artifacts, many from the Wade Hall Collection of Southern History and Culture there.

For more information, contact Lacher-Feldman at jlfeldma@bama.ua.edu or 205/348-0500. For more information on Paul Hemphill, visit his Web site at http://www.paulhemphill.net.

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An excerpt from “Lovesick Blues: The Life of Hank Williams” by Paul Hemphill: “He seemed to be living his life and writing his songs for us, an Alabama trucker and his young son … the sound of his voice like a mournful overture for a movie that was certain to end in disaster … over the ensuing decades or lives would imitate Hank’s art well beyond his death. In the best of our times, and most especially in the worst, Hank Williams was always with us. He simply would not go away.”