Book summary

Assembled by authors Colin Escott and Kira Florita (who together co-produced 1998's 10-CD compilation THE COMPLETE HANK WILLIAMS), HANK WILLIAMS: SNAPSHOTS FROM THE LOST HIGHWAY is a remarkable collection of photographs, notes, letters, and lyrics to nearly 30 previously undiscovered songs--the latter written in the legendary country singer's own handwriting and found in the car in which he died. Accompanied by quotes from Williams, members of his family, and various close associates, these fragments of Williams' life form a composite pictorial and oral history of the man and his career. There are shots of a teenage Williams with some of his early band mates, recollections and anecdotes from later members of the Drifting Cowboys, and telling reminiscences from singer Lefty Frizell, who recalls a tour he did with Williams sober and in top form. But musician Big Bill Lister, charged with returning a drunken, incapacitated Williams back home from a Canadian tour, recollects a harsh reception from Williams' wife, Audrey, who was only interested in the tour receipts. SNAPSHOTS is a treasure trove of observations, 150 previously unpublished pictures, and poignant notes and scraps of paper that add up to a moving summary of Williams' doomed existence.