Happy Hank began life in 1903 as Marcus Dumont Williams, born south of Dallas, Texas, in Ellis County. By the time he reached his twenties, Marc Williams had worked as a cowboy, entertained as the “Cowboy Crooner” on early Dallas-Fort Worth radio station KRLD, and attended classes at university. He entertained at public appearances across North Texas, and made dozens of records for the Brunswick and Decca labels from 1928 to 1936.