Group
Drifting Cowboys
Hank Williams’s backing band
- From
- United States
- Since
- present
- Releases
- 41
About
The Drifting Cowboys were the backing group for American country legend and singer-songwriter Hank Williams. The band went through several lineups during Williams' career. The original lineup was formed in 1937, changing musicians from show to show until Williams signed with Sterling Records.
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The lineup was further modified in the following years, with the most famous version of the group formed in 1949 for Williams' appearance on the Grand Ole Opry. Although the Drifting Cowboys were credited on Williams' records, until 1950, Williams was backed by session musicians on recordings, with the label crediting the Cowboys. In 1951, Williams disbanded the group. After his death, the band was used for a short time by Ray Price. Former members later toured under the name of the band.
Members
-
Jerry Rivers fiddle
-
Braxton Schuffert guitar
Discography
Singles
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Teardrop on a Rose / Alone and Forsaken
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How Can You Refuse Him Now / A House of Gold
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The Angel of Death / (I’m Gonna) Sing, Sing, Sing
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Weary Blues From Waitin' / I Can't Escape From You
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Take These Chains From My Heart / Ramblin' Man
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Kaw‐Liga / Your Cheatin’ Heart
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Half as Much / Let's Turn Back the Years
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Jambalaya (On the Bayou) / Window Shopping Apple Music
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I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive / I Could Never Be Ashamed of You
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Settin’ the Woods on Fire / You Win Again
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Honky Tonk Blues / I'm Sorry for You My Friend
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Cold Cold Heart / Dear John
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Howlin' at the Moon / I Can't Help It (If I'm Still in Love With You)
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Hey, Good Lookin’ / My Heart Would Know
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(I Heard That) Lonesome Whistle / Crazy Heart
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Moanin’ the Blues / Nobody’s Lonesome for Me
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I Just Don't Like This Kind of Livin' / May You Never Be Alone
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They'll Never Take Her Love From Me / Why Should We Try Anymore
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Long Gone Lonesome Blues / My Son Calls Another Man Daddy
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Why Don’t You Love Me / A House Without Love
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Mind Your Own Business / There'll Be No Teardrops Tonight
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My Bucket's Got a Hole in It / I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry
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Lovesick Blues / Never Again (Will I Knock On Your Door)
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You’re Gonna Change (or I’m Gonna Leave) / Lost Highway
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Wedding Bells / I've Just Told Mama Goodbye
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I'll Be A Bachelor 'Til I Die/Honky Tonkin'
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Mansion on the Hill / I Can't Get You Off of My Mind
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I Saw the Light / Six More Miles (to the Graveyard)
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Wealth Won't Save Your Soul/When God Comes And Fathers His Jewels
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I Don't Care (If Tomorrow Never Comes)/My Love For You (Has Turned To Hate)
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Calling You/Never Again (Will I Knock At Your Door)
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Rootie Tootie/My Sweet Love Ain't Around
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Move It On Over / I Heard You Crying in Your Sleep
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Pan American / Honky Tonkin’
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Fly Trouble/On The Banks Of The Old Ponchartrain
Compilations
Links
Listen
Reference
Named after artist
Identifiers
- MusicBrainz
- a3ee6d30-b88f-4118-89c4-74e33a6bcf9d
Data from MusicBrainz, saved 15 Nov 2026. Photo from Wikimedia Commons, covers from the Cover Art Archive and Apple Music.