THE PACKAGE
6" x 12" x 1 1/2" "Book-box" fronted with an unpublished photo, covered with charcoal linen Deluxe Collector's Limited Edition, 10,000 Numbered copies
8 Full-color postcards of previously unpublished images, artifacts, and original folk art
Over 140 Photos, most previously unpublished or rare: from Hank Williams, Jr.'s personal family collection, Marty Stuart's collection (from Hank's sister, Irene), and the archives of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Highlights include:
Hank's handwritten lyrics for "Cold, Cold Heart," "I Saw The Light" and "Your Cheatin' Heart"
The telegram Hank's mother sent to his sister on January 1, 1953 "COME AT ONCE HANK IS DEAD"
Photos of Hank's phonograph player, fishing tackle box, etc.
Original 75th Anniversary multi-media art created by artist Jeff Hand: "poet of the people."
5 1/2" x 11 1/2" book "The Music": 10 easy-insert CD pockets, plus 30 pages including a comprehensive track list, hand-written lyrics, Billboard ads, Billboard charts, performance photos, session worksheets, tour posters, LP covers, etc.
5 1/2" x 11 1/2" 120-page booklet "The Stories": the two main features are: (see excerpts) 2,500-word essay by Daniel Cooper "No More Darkness, No More Night,"and 17,500-word "Notes on the Music" by Colin Escott, including:
- Discographical and session information by Bob Pinson
- Preface briefly describing the era of Hank's career: the Studios, the Recording Formats, the Charts
- All available Session information: locations, times, personnel, original release numbers, songwriters
- Detailed session notes that include behind-the-scenes stories and first-person accounts of how the most important songs in country music history came to be written and recorded.
- Quotes about Hank from Hank Williams, Jr., Original Drifting Cowboys Jerry Rivers and Don Helms, Alan Jackson, Emmylou Harris, Mitch Miller, Tony Bennett, Mike Mills (R.E.M.) and others.
Extras include:
- "The Death" by Colin Escott
- "Fourteen days on the Road" Hank's datebook, 3/23/51 - 4/07/51, by Bob Pinson
- Chart History, Achievements and Awards
- List of artists who've recorded Williams' songs
- 12 page foldout "Timeline" with all significant dates and milestones of Williams' life
Art Direction: Jim Kemp and Virginia Team
Design: Craig Allen at Team Design (timeline by Jerry Joyner)
Cover based on photograph courtesy of Marty Stuart