Introduction
“Midnight in Montgomery” is a poignant country ballad by Alan Jackson, released on April 20, 1992, as the fourth single from his album Don’t Rock the Jukebox. Co-written by Jackson and Don Sampson, the song pays tribute to country music legend Hank Williams, who passed away in 1953 and is buried in Montgomery, Alabama. The narrative unfolds as the narrator, en route to a New Year’s Eve show in Mobile, stops in Montgomery to visit Williams’ grave. There, he experiences a supernatural encounter with Williams’ spirit, who thanks him for the tribute before vanishing into the night. The song’s haunting melody and evocative lyrics capture the essence of Williams’ enduring legacy and the deep reverence Jackson holds for his influence on country music.
The music video, directed by Jim Shea, complements the song’s eerie atmosphere by being filmed entirely in black and white under a full moon amidst the headstones of an empty cemetery. It went on to win that year’s Country Music Association award for Music Video of the Year. Interestingly, during filming, a mysterious shadow appeared in the first take, which wasn’t intended, adding to the video’s ghostly feel.