Legendary and highly influential country and western singer and songwriter (1923–1953). Williams, who was scheduled to appear in Canton, Ohio, on January 1, 1953, left Knoxville in his chauffeur-driven Cadillac on New Year’s Eve after cancelling a plane flight due to bad weather. Before his departure, Williams received from a doctor injections of vitamin B-12 and morphine. When the car was stopped for speeding en route, the policeman noticed that Williams, who had gotten into the limousine with a bottle of whiskey, was motionless. He was taken to a West Virginia hospital and officially declared dead at 7:00 a.m. on January 1, 1953, at the age of 29. The last single released in his lifetime was “I’ll Never Get Out of This World Alive.” DS, two pages both sides, 8.5 x 11, Standard Uniform Popular Songwriters Contract letterhead, November 3, 1947. A Standard Uniform Popular Songwriters Contract between Milene Music and Hank Williams and Fred Rose for A Mansion on a Hill and the related royalties from sales of the song’s music. Signed on the last page by Hank Williams and Fred Rose. Agreement is also signed by Country Music Hall of Famer Wesley Rose. In 1942 Fred Rose would return to Nashville to team up with Grand Ole Opry star Roy Acuff to create the first Nashville-based music publishing company. Their Acuff-Rose Music would prove highly successful, particularly with the success of client Hank Williams. In fine condition, with expected punch holes to top. PSA/DNA Auction LOA and R&R COA.
