Handsome young Corey Kirby has a black leather jacket, a girlfriend with a car and the theater role of a lifetime.

Corey, 15, of Pell City, is the star of the new play, “Hiram: Becoming Hank Williams,” the story of the Alabama musical genius’ early years in little Georgiana.

The Pell City Players will perform in the premiere of the original play Feb. 26-28 at the Pell City Center for Education and Performing Arts.

“I like the soul behind Hank’s music,” Corey says, though he admits before he landed the role of Hiram he knew little about Alabama’s most famous poet, Hank Williams.

Williams was influenced by the church music of his childhood, the blues of a street singer called Tee-Tot and the “hillbilly” songs he heard on the radio. When Hiram decided he’d make his living by singing, he donned a cowboy hat, renamed himself “Hank” and the rest is history.

“He wasn’t trying to become another person,” Corey says. “He wanted to become who he already was.”

Corey got his own guitar and learned a few chords at age 8. One of four siblings, he at first didn’t see the practical value of devoting much time to music. “I was all about school, and making all A’s.”

His family didn’t have the money for drama camp, he says, but he loved theater and started as a technical assistant for school and community productions. This starring role, as young Hank Williams, has inspired Corey to dust off the old guitar and concentrate on improving. His ROTC haircut is growing out, and the youth’s resemblance to the real Hiram is remarkable.

“Hiram” was co-written by retired LaGrange (Ga.) College English professor, John M. Williams, and syndicated newspaper columnist, Rheta Grimsley Johnson. The writing team wanted to explore the musical and life influences that “made Hank’s music immortal,” territory they felt was eclipsed by all that’s been written about Williams’ dramatic death.

Jett Williams, Hank’s daughter, and writer Kelly Zumwalt have co-written a song called “Hiram” for the play. Jett Williams will be honored before the Friday performance.

“The struggle of his life is reflected in his music,” Corey says. “All the pain is there.”

For ticket information visit pellcitycenter.com or call (205) 338-1974.

– Submitted by the Pell City Center for Education and the Performing Arts