R.D. "Sonny" Norred

Born: 1/16/1919 Sylacauga, AL

Country Steel Guitar Hank Williams

Source: Alabama Music Hall of Fame

Robert D. "Sonny" Norred (Steel Guitar): Born: 1/16/19 Sylacauga, AL. Died: 10/25/09

Bio: Sonny was a member of the Cowboys from late 1947 to early 1948. Worked with Hank on WSFA, along with Joe Penny, Lum York, and Winston "Red" Todd. After the Cowboys, Sonny worked in the Cotton Mills of Talladega, AL for 7 years. He played music in his free time. He later joined Hal Howard and the Pearl River Boys. He stayed in this band for 10 years. He went on to work in Mac Sanders Troubadores (Sammy Pruett was also a member) and he could be heard on WRBL Radio (Burmingham, AL). He opened his own TV Sales/Service business, called Norred TV.

Sonny was interviewed and appeared in an episode of the PBS documentary series "American Masters", entitled "Hank Williams: Honky Tonk Blues" (2004), discussing Hank and his time with the Drifting Cowboys.

"Sonny" passed away on on October 25, 2009 with his wife of 32 years, Margaret White Norred, by his side.

Source: Band Member Bios

Robert D. Norred

January 16, 1910-October 25, 2009

Robert D. Norred died Sunday October 25, 2009.

He was married to Margaret White Norred for 32 years.

R. D. died in a nursing home with his wife at his side as she had been everyday for the 3 months he was there.

Visitation is Monday Oct. 26 at Alabama Funeral Home in Dadeville, AL 6:30-9:00pm and funeral services will be held at the Memory Gardens (Next to the funeral home) 2:00 Tuesday Oct 27, 2009.

Source: News

Former Drifting Cowboys member dies

Monday, October 26, 2009 – Steel guitarist Robert D. Norred, one-time member of Hank Williams' backing band for a short period in the late 1940s, died Sunday, Oct. 25.

Norred was born Jan. 16, 1919 in Sylacauga, Ala. Norred was a band member of the Drifting Cowboys from late 1947 until early 1948, playing on Wiliams' radio show on WSFA in Montgomery, Ala. along with Joe Penny, Lum York, and Winston "Red" Todd.

Norred worked in the cotton mills of Talladega, Ala. For seven yearse [sic] and played music on the side. For 10 years, he played with Hal Howard and the Pearl River Boys. He later was as a member of Mac Sanders' Troubadores and was heard on WRBL Radio in Birmingham, Ala. Norred eventually opened his own TV sales and service business.

Source: The Steel Guitar Forum :: View topic - Steel guitarist Robert D. Norred, played with Hank Williams

Listen: Hank Williams: 40 Greatest Hits by Hank Williams - Download Hank Williams: 40 Greatest Hits on iTunes

Listen: Amazon.com: Hank Williams: Music