Hank Williams Sr. is not only crucial to the development of Country and Western music, I'd go as far as to say he's an influence on the development of the culture of the the Western World - as in multiple continents. But more importantly for us, Rock n' Roll would certainly not be as rich in rhythm, poetry and plaintive cries from the wounded human soul to the deafening wind in the cold wilderness that is Life, when you're down and out. In my opinion he not only changed Country music forever, but he sang blues as well as any white man ever can be expected to. 

This episode covers most of my viewing of "Your Cheatin' Heart", an MGM musical from the early 60's that feels like an olde-tyme Disney film, and I take you through Hank's early life and influences. The greatest cluster of said influences being a spinal deformity, his domineering mother, a regular booze habit at the age of 11, and the tutelage of a black blues musician named Rufus Payne. All potent ingredients in a recipe for a man who would become a voice for the voiceless in ways no Country superstar ever had before.  

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References:

https://archive.org/details/hankwilliamsbiog00escott/page/n13/mode/2up

https://archive.org/details/hankwilliamscoun0000care

https://archive.org/details/singsadsonglifeo0000will/mode/2up