The second edition of the Hank Williams tribute (La Noche de Hank Williams) was held last September 16 in Montevideo, Uruguay, paying tribute to the legendary singer-songwriter, and celebrating a new edition of the International Country Music Day. Uruguayan artist John Fisher opened the night with his acoustic renditions of such Williams' classics as "I don´t care (if tomorrow never comes)", "(Last night) I heard you crying in your sleep", "I´m so lonesome I could cry", "Lonesome whistle", "There´ll be no teardrops tonight", "I´d still want you", "Lovesick blues", "Hey good lookin´", "I´m a long gone daddy", "There´s a tear in my beer."

Invited to perform on this night, Argentinian duo Hard Travelin´ covered more of Hank's compositions, which included "Alone and forsaken", "Nobody´s lonesome for me", "I´ll never get out of this world alive", "Swing wide your gate of love", "My main trial is yet to come", "Wedding bells", "Howlin´ at the moon", "I just don´t like this kind of living", "I can´t help it (if I´m still in love with you)", "You´re gonna change (or I´m gonna leave)", "Be careful of stones that you throw", "I want to live and love", "Take this chains from my heart", "Moanin´ the blues."

The five-piece band Honky Tonk Blues, also from Uruguay, was in charge of the second part of the tribute. Honky Tonk Blues is a band which specializes on the music of the unforgettable Williams and therefore, they offered their personal renditions of "I can´t get you off of my mind", "Long gone lonesome blues", "Cold cold heart", "You win again", "Honky tonkin´", "Move it on over", "Mind your own business", "Why don´t you love me", "Settin´the woods on fire". Singer Andrea Pochellú was their special guest to perform on such classics as "Honky tonk blues" and "Your cheatin´ heart". The show closed with Fisher, Hard Travelin, Pochellu and Honky Tonk Blues performing "Jambalaya" . The event took place at the prestigious Shannon Irish Pub in Montevideo, Uruguay, where the two-night Tribute to Elvis Presley by Uruguayan band Bel Air was held in August. All these shows have been sponsored by the Country Music Association of Uruguay (Asociacion de Musica Country de Uruguay, AMCU) and Zona Country Prod.

Raúl Tejeiro

President of AMCU, Association of Counrty Music of Uruguay

“I Forgot To Remember to Forget has been chosen by the readers of http://internationalcountrymusicday.blogspot.com/ as the song that brings together country music artists and fans all over the world, as well as representing the values that our music stands for during the International Country Music Day, which is held every year on September 17.

This year, the associations and websites that are taking part in the event: Country Music Association of Spain -CMA-Spain-, Country Music Association of Uruguay –AMCU-, country2.com –Argentina-, Country CD –France- (fomerly FACM), Country Music Association of Greece –CMA-Greece-, United States Hispanic Country Music Association and Dímelo Country –DCWR-.have decided to pay tribute to Elvis Presley on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of his passing, thereby honoring his outstanding contributions to the country music field.

Country fans all over the world have made their choice among a list that includes Elvis’ 11 best country numbers. The winning song, “I Forgot To Remember to Forget” got 32 % of the votes, just in front of “Always On My Mind,” which came out second with 20 % of the votes, and “Blue Moon Of Kentucky,” which came out third with 16 % of the votes.

Jessi Colter on the Internacional Country Music Day

Country singer Jessi Colter, wife of the late country great Waylon Jennings, has praised the celebration of the Country Music Day: “I think it’s a very good idea. Country music fans all over the world are always very kind and really appreciate the music. They deserve something like this!”


International Country Music Day Keeps Growing

New associations and websites such as TISBA (The International Singing Brakeman Association, devoted to the promotion of the memory of the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers) and the Hispanic country website latonky.com have decided to support this non-profit celebration starting next year. The organizers of the International Country Music Day invite everyone interested in promoting cooperation between country artists, professionals, and fans worldwide to join the celebration.

The International Country Music Day is held every year on September 17, commemorating the birthday of Hank Williams.

Come celebrate with us and enjoy country music!