U.S. #2775
29¢ Hank Williams
Country Music Legends
Issue Date: September 25, 1993
City: Nashville, TN
Printed By: American Bank Note Company
Printing Method: Photogravure
Perforations: 11 horizontally
Color: Multicolored
In January of 1993 a commemorative featuring Elvis Presley set the stage for a new stamp series - the Legends of American Music. Designed to highlight the music our nation has come to be known for, these stamps also offered more exciting, contemporary themes for collectors. The Country Music stamps wrapped up the 1993 releases for this new series.
A combination of folk music from Great Britain and the blues of rural southern blacks, country music later added sounds from other cultures, including the banjo, guitar, mandolin, and Hawaiian steel guitar. Playing with or without vocal accompaniment, country bands often entertained people at dances, parties, and country fairs. Country music continued to change as others began adding drums and electric instruments, incorporating yet another sound - that of pop music. By the 1930’s country music had gained national popularity.
A leading performer of the 1940’s and 50’s, Hank Williams dominated country music from 1949, when he joined the Grand ‘Ole Opry, until his death in 1953. His classics such as “Your Cheatin’ Heart”, “Jambalaya”, and “Hey Good Lookin’” helped cement his place in the Country Music Hall of Fame.