CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Hank Williams is sometimes referred to as "the father of modern country music." You might also say he's the uncle of the American songbook, too, with such genre-spanning, crowd-pleasing, instant-recall classics as "Your Cheatin' Heart," "Lovesick Blues" and "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry."

The popular Hank Williams tribute concert kicks off the new year for the Woody Hawley Series at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the Clay Center. Band members Rob McNurlin, John Lilly, Buddy Griffin, Ritchie Collins and Donnie Scott will channel the songs of the hard-charging, hard-drinking star who amassed a remarkable musical legacy before he died at age 29.

The tribute concert began in 2002 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Williams' death. He was found in the back of a Cadillac in Oak Hill, where he had stopped on his way through the state after a New Year's Eve show set for Charleston was canceled due to travel delays from icy weather.

The concert has on-stage seating in the Maier Foundation Performance Hall, but attendees should enter from the Walker Theater doors at the back of the building. Tickets are $18 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Call 304-561-3570 or visit www.theclaycenter.org.