Austin College is family & tradition. And no further proof is needed than this story.
See the photo on the left? I took that photo. The 1990 Austin College delegation to the National Model United Nations (NMUN) had some downtime in New York, so for fun a group of us headed to a recording studio at Macy’s to crank out our own rendition of a song. In that photo, from left to right, are Roos Jennifer Leonard, Reggie Smith, David Rogers, Tina Cook Carver, and Scott Forbes.
The six of us came from different AC Greek families. Jennifer & Tina were Kappas. Like me, Reggie & David were Rho Lambs. And Scott was a Beta. But we were still all a part of the much bigger AC family. I like to give shout outs to AC Greek families, and this story will do the same. But not for the Kappas, Rho Lambs, or Betas. Nope, this story is a shout out to the DRAKES.
The photo I took was on my mind this week because of the song we chose to sing in New York. That day, the six of us belted out our own version of “Family Tradition.” The tune is one of many hits by Hank Williams Jr., the son of perhaps the most famous country music singer in American history: Hank Williams Sr.
Born in Alabama, Hank Williams Sr. skyrocketed to national music fame after World War II. Williams Sr. recorded 35 singles that reached the Top 10 between 1947 and 1953. Of those 35 singles, 11 reached #1. Iconic Williams Sr. songs include “Your Cheatin’ Heart,” “Move It on Over,” “Honky Tonkin’,” “Lovesick Blues,” and “Hey, Good Lookin’.” Williams Sr. passed way too early, on New Year’s Day 1953. His last days are documented in the 2012 movie “The Last Ride.”
Often referred to as the “King of Country Music” in America, Williams’ funeral in Montgomery was attended by tens of thousands of adoring fans. After being laid to rest at Oakwood Cemetery, the city declared January 4th, 1953 “Hank Williams Day.” A memorial to the musician was constructed and dedicated at his gravesite. To this day, country music fans of Hank Williams Sr. make the trek to the family gravesite in Montgomery.
Williams family members in attendance that January 4th day in 1953 included Hank’s spouse Audrey Williams, son (and “Family Tradition” singer-songwriter) Hank Williams Jr., sister Irene Williams Smith, and Irene’s son (and Hank Williams Sr. nephew): Austin College Kangaroo John T. Smith.
Wait, uh, come again??? Yeah, you heard me.
John T. Smith enrolled at Austin College in the fall of 1961, eight years after the death of his “Uncle Hank.” Smith had spent his formative years in 1950s Texas, often visiting his Aunt Audrey and Cousin Hank Jr. on family trips that centered around music. As a student in Sherman during the 1960s, however, music did not seem to be a part of his life. Instead, Smith had his sights set on more academic and social pursuits.
In 1962, the Austin College academic work of John T. Smith led to his inclusion in the “Who’s Who in American Colleges” list. A photo of AC President John Moseley congratulating Smith graces the Austin College newspaper. It’s unknown if Moseley was aware of the legendary uncle of the Roo student at the time.
A 1963 photo in the Austin College newspaper shows the nephew of Hank Williams Sr. standing next to our very own Ruth Whiteside. Ruth reports that she and John were in the AC Student Council together and sent me a photo of John from the AC yearbook. It’s unknown if Ruth is aware of the legendary uncle of her Roo friend, as I didn’t mention to her. She’ll have to tell us.
And in 1964, John T. Smith pledged the DRAKE fraternity. Founded in 1946, the DRAKE Fraternity “promotes social brotherhood, academic excellence, athletic achievement, and the pursuit of gentlemanly ideals.” Well done fellas. You guys gave a bid to a family member of Country Music’s first family. DRAKE John T. Smith graduated from Austin College in 1965.
Like her famous brother Hank Williams Sr., Irene Williams Smith was a significant force in American country music herself. She was an agent and backup singer for her brother’s earliest bands. After his death, she became a journalist and country music historian. She collected country music memorabilia, which in her final years was sold to artist Marty Stuart. Stuart displayed her collections at the Country Music Hall of Fame and dedicated the exhibit to her.
Irene Williams Smith passed in 1995 and was laid to rest next to her brother Hank Williams Sr. in Montgomery. Just as in 1953, family in attendance at the gravesite included many from the Williams family, including son John T. Smith. Today, Smith is retired and resides in California.
For this Hank Williams story, we can thank Richard (Barry) Barrett Faulkner. Faulkner, Class of ’66, is a former Roo offensive lineman who was inducted into the Austin College Hall of Honor in 1986. During his days as a Roo footballer, Faulkner lined up alongside Jim Jarratt to protect All-American Quarterback Jerry Bishop. It’s unknown if Jim & Jerry are aware of the legendary uncle of their Roo Classmate. They’ll have to tell us.
The Hughey Gym basketball court is named for AC Hall of Honor member Jim Rolfe. According to Faulkner, “Jim Rolfe [who recently passed] and I were some of the only ones that knew of this tie” between Smith and his famous uncle Hank Williams Sr. Needless to say, writing this story now makes me want to visit the Hank Williams family gravesite, perhaps sometime around “Midnight in Montgomery.” Thanks Barry!
And as for our little NMUN Kangaroo family in New York City belting out “Family Tradition” back in 1990? As it turns out, the song we chose about the first family of Country Music was written and recorded by the first cousin of an Austin College Kangaroo.
Austin College is family & tradition. And no further proof is needed than this story.
