Hank Fort

Hank Fort (1908–1973) was an American singer and songwriter. She composed over 400 songs, including tracks recorded by Petula Clark ("Put Your Shoes On, Lucy") and The Andrews Sisters ("I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded"). One of her songs, "Look With Pride On Our Flag", was played at the second inauguration of Richard Nixon in 1973.

Hank Fort
Born
Eleanor Louise Middleton Hankins

June 19, 1908
Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.
DiedJanuary 12, 1973
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeMount Olivet Cemetery
OccupationSinger, songwriter
Spouse(s)Walter A. Fort, m. 1928/1/3
William McAuliffe, m. 1964/2/19
Parent(s)Cornelius Hankins
Maude McGehee

Early life

Hank Fort was born as Eleanor Hankins on June 19, 1908 in Nashville, Tennessee. Her father, Cornelius Hankins, was a painter.[1] Her mother was Maude McGehee.[1]

Career

Fort was a singer and songwriter.[1][2] She composed over 400 songs.[3] Her song "Put Your Shoes On, Lucy" was recorded by Petula Clark in 1949, and by Anne Shelton (singer) in 1952. Among others, "I Didn't Know the Gun Was Loaded" was a minor hit for The Andrews Sisters. In 1958 Fort released an album on Epic Records, Hank Fort Sings and Plays Her Own Songs which included such ditties as "Save Your Confederate Money, Boys" and "You Can't Hurt Me Now Cause I'm Daid". One of Fort's songs, "Look With Pride On Our Flag", dedicated to President Richard Nixon, was played at his 1973 inauguration ceremony,[3] eight days after Fort's death.

Personal life

"Hank" Hankins married Walter A. Fort at age 19, in 1928, taking his name; they later divorced. Her second marriage, in 1964, was to Bill McAuliffe, an investment broker.[4]

Death

Fort died on January 12, 1973 in Washington, D.C.[3]

References
  1. "Hank Fort, Songstress". The Tennessean. Nashville, Tennessee. July 23, 1954. p. 25. Retrieved December 24, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "HANK FORT". Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Retrieved December 25, 2015.
  3. "Eleanor H. Fort, Composer, Dead". The Daily Times. Salisbury, Maryland. January 14, 1973. p. 48. Retrieved December 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. "Hank Fort Knows Her Way Around With Songs Inside Washington". El Paso Herald-Post. El Paso, Texas. November 9, 1965. p. 23. Retrieved December 25, 2015 – via Newspapers.com.


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