It seems that Hank III is starting a grassroots drive to get his grandpa reinstated into the Opry. Hell, they let just about anyone in these days, why not put him back in. For those uninitiated, he was asked to leave becase of his rabble rousing, drinking ways. Unfortunately, he died before he could do such a thing.

Here's the petition:

http://www.gopetition.com/petitions/reinstate-hank-williams.html

Pretty interesting. Not sure if I want him reinstated though.

Hank Williams is a legend and the foundation for so much of what followed. There is no single person more important in the history of country music and likely never will be. Anything to honor his memory that can be done should be done.

The permanent, ultimate outlaw?
Shit. No "recognition" of any sort could ever do anything to increase the stature or importance of this guy. It's all just superfluous. If ever an artist could stand on the merits of his catalogue alone, it's old Hank.

He was 29 when he died. TWENTY NINE!!! And all those songs in that short lifetime?!?!?!

The guy was more than a songwriter. More to American Music than any award could do justice to. One could argue that Hank WAS American Music.

In other words, it would be nice, but ultimately pointless. He's become bigger than the Opry itself.

I would normally agree other than the fact that he held the Opry up to such a regard. If he snubbed it all his life or didn't care about the Opry then sure, I can see that attitude. The thing is, he was very much into the Opry, and felt it was end all-be all of country music. Not having his picture in the Opry is a tragedy.