Hank Locklin

Hank Locklin (born Lawrence Hankins Locklin;[1] February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009) was an American country music singer–songwriter. He had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on Billboard's country chart. His biggest hits included "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On" and his signature "Please Help Me, I'm Falling."[2] The latter also went to number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard's 100th anniversary issue listed it as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era. It sold over one million copies, and was awarded a gold disc by the RIAA.[3]

Hank Locklin
Hank Locklin, 1966.
Born
Lawrence Hankins Locklin

(1918-02-15)February 15, 1918[1]
McLellan, Florida, U.S.
DiedMarch 8, 2009(2009-03-08) (aged 91)
Brewton, Alabama, U.S.
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
Years active1947–2007
Spouse(s)
  • Willa Jean Murphy
    ​
    ​
    (m. 1938, divorced)​
  • Anita Crooks
    ​
    (m. 1970)​
Children6
Musical career
Genres
Instruments
Labels
Associated acts
Websitehanklocklin.com

Locklin was born and raised in Florida. He developed a fondness for country music following an accident in his childhood. He learned to play the guitar during his recovery and began performing locally as well. In his early adulthood, he formed his own band called the Rocky Mountain Playboys, which played gigs and performed on local radio. Locklin was heard singing during one of these gigs, which led to his first recording contract in 1949. He had his first major hit on the Billboard country chart the same year. His 1953 single, "Let Me Be the One" was his first to top the country chart.

In 1955, Locklin signed with RCA Victor Records and under the production of Chet Atkins, he had his biggest success as a country artist. He had a string of major hits during the late 1950s and early 1960s. He also joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry and remained a member for nearly 50 years. He became a major concert attraction internationally as well, touring overseas in Europe beginning in the 1960s and 70s. Locklin also recorded a handful of concept albums during this period, which made him among the genre's first artists to release albums centered around a theme. He would later record for other labels, including MGM, Plantation and Coldwater. Despite his country success, Locklin never lived in Nashville, choosing instead to stay in his home state of Florida. Locklin died in 2009 at the age of 91.

Early life

Locklin was born and raised in McLellan, Florida. He was the youngest of four children born to a musically-inclined family. Although he had a fondness for music in his earliest years, he became more interested following an accident.[4] At age nine, he was hit by a school bus. "It almost mashed me flatter than a fritter," he recalled.[5] He learned to play the guitar during his recovery and continued pursuing music through his teenage years.[4] He also won several talent contests and performing at a radio station in Pensacola, Florida. To pursue his music full-time, Locklin dropped out of high school. However, working as a musician amounted to a small income. In one instance, he recalled being paid two dollars for working a gig at a Florida roadhouse.[1] To make ends meet, he worked odd jobs, including working on a farm and a shipyard.[5]

During the early 1940s, Locklin was dismissed from participating in World War II due to his childhood school bus accident (which still affected his leg). Instead, he continued performing. Locklin performed in nearby states, including regular gigs with bands in Mobile, Alabama. He also began composing his own material, which was largely influenced by the music of Ernest Tubb. He then joined the band of country musician Jimmy Swan and made regular concert appearances. Locklin then formed his own backing band in 1947 called the Rocky Mountain Playboys. The group performed regularly on radio stations. Their sponsor was businessman Elmer Laird. Laird intended to form his own record label to get Locklin's music recorded. However, he was killed in a stabbing incident shortly after his proposal.[4] Instead, Locklin's association with producer Pappy Daily helped him sign with Four Star Records.[6][7]

Career

1949–1954: Early success

Locklin secured a contract with Four Star Records through his association with Pappy Daily. Daily brought him to the attention of Bill McCall of Four Star where he signed his first recording contract in 1949.[6] Also in 1949, Locklin joined the cast of the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport.[8] He had his first major hit in 1949 with a self-penned single titled "The Same Sweet Girl."[4] The song reached the top ten of the Billboard country singles chart, peaking at number eight.[9] Despite having a hit, Locklin did not see many royalties from its success. Because his recording contract allowed for McCall to gain all of the publishing rights, McCall also made all the money from its success. "I never made no money with him. My understanding was that he liked to go to Vegas. I guess Bill was just a guy who liked to take everything," Locklin recalled in 2001.[6]

Locklin's follow-up singles did not become hits, which caused further financial difficulties.[4] He even recorded the original version of his future hit, "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On." Although it was not a hit, Locklin did recall the song getting a warm reception after he performed it live on a radio show.[6] By this time, McCall had arranged for Locklin's material to be leased to Decca Records, which was headed by Owen Bradley. With this new partnership, he had his second major hit in 1953 called "Let Me Be the One."[4] The single became his first to reach the number one position on the Billboard country chart. "Let Me Be the One" spent a total of three weeks at the country chart summit. His follow-up Four Star releases were unsuccessful.[9] Furthermore, Locklin was still receiving little royalties from his success with the label. In order for McCall to not claim them as his own, he started composing songs under his wife's name. Cuts such as "These Ruins Belong to You" were written under the pen name "Willa." After an argument with McCall, he left Four Star Records.[8]

1955–1974: Move to RCA Records and biggest success

In 1955, Locklin switched to the larger RCA Records. Collaborating with producer Chet Atkins, Locklin developed a more simplistic musical style. His recordings often included heavy acoustic guitar and piano production.[4] These styles were further individualized by that of The Nashville A-Team, a group of studio musicians that included Floyd Cramer and several others.[4][8] In 1956, he had his first hit with RCA titled "Why Baby Why." The single reached the top ten of the Billboard Country & Western Records Most Played By Folk Disk Jockeys chart, becoming his first major hit in three years.[9] It was followed in 1957 by "Geisha Girl."[8] The song not only reached number five on the Billboard country chart,[9] but was also his first to reach the pop chart, climbing to number 66.[10] The hit was included on his debut studio album, Foreign Love. Marketed towards overseas servicemen, the record would be one of several concept albums released by Locklin during his career.[8] In 1958, Locklin had two more major hits with "It's a Little More Like Heaven" and a remake of "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On."[9]

Locklin's singles over the next two years would prove unsuccessful.[9] In 1960, he was brought to the attention of a song composed by Hal Blair and Don Robertson. Both writers had the idea of writing a "cheating song" that centered around a man's conscience. Blair brought in real life elements from his own marital troubles to write the song. Their finished product was the tune "Please Help Me, I'm Falling." The song was first offered to Jim Reeves, who turned it down. Locklin believed it to be a hit and decided to cut it in the studio.[8] Released as a single in 1960, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" reached number one on the Billboard country songs chart in May.[11] It spent a total of 14 weeks at the top of country charts before descending.[5] It also became Locklin's biggest hit on the Billboard pop chart, reaching the number eight position in August 1960.[12] In the United Kingdom, the song reached the top ten of the national charts as well.[13] "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" became the biggest hit of Locklin's career and biggest-selling to date.[9] The song's success led to an invitation to join the Grand Ole Opry, which he accepted in 1960. He remained with the program for 49 years.[14][15]

Locklin did not reach the top of the country charts again, but he continued having commercial success with RCA Victor. In 1961, he had three top 20 hits with "One Step Ahead of My Past," "From Here to There to You" and "You're the Reason."[9] In November 1961, the single "Happy Birthday to Me" (written by Bill Anderson) reached number seven on the Billboard country songs chart.[16] It was followed by "Happy Journey," which climbed to number ten on the country singles list in February 1962.[17] An album of the same name also followed in 1962 that also included the top 20 single, "We're Gonna Go Fishin'."[18][19] The song also became a major hit in the United Kingdom.[13] His 1964 song, "Followed Closely by My Teardrops," would be his last major hit for several years.[20][9]

Locklin expanded his recording of concept albums during the 1960s. This began with a tribute effort to Roy Acuff called A Tribute to Roy Acuff: The King of Country Music. It featured a collection of Acuff's best-known songs, including "Wabash Cannonball" and "Once More."[21] The album was reviewed positively by Billboard magazine in 1962. Writers noted their appreciation for the fact that Locklin chose to sing Acuff's songs in his own style rather than copy.[22] In later years, Allmusic rated the album three out of five stars.[23] With an expanding fan base in Ireland, Locklin recorded 1963's Irish Songs, Country Style.[14] The following year, he recorded a studio album of Hank Williams songs. Allmusic's Greg Adams only rated it 2.5 out of 5 stars, calling Locklin "a good yodeler [who] seems to struggle a little."[24] Meanwhile, 1965's My Kind of Country Music fared better with critics. Reviewer Thom Owens gave the release 4.5 stars and praised his "gift for tear-jerking ballads and pure traditional country."[25] Locklin's 1966 studio release, The Girls Get Prettier, would be his first to chart the Billboard Top Country Albums list, reaching number 26.[26]

In 1968, Locklin returned with his first top ten hit in several years called "The Country Hall of Fame."[4] Its corresponding studio effort of the same name was also successful, reaching number 20 on the country albums chart.[27] Allmusic gave the it a warm response in their review, calling it "one of his best albums of the late '60s."[28] Following its release, Locklin saw declining radio success on the American country charts. He had his last top 40 single on the Billboard country songs survey was 1969's "Where the Blue of the Night Meets the Gold of the Day."[9] At the start of the early 70s, he began to spend more time touring and performing in Europe, where he became more popular.[4] He was among country music's first artists to perform at military bases and clubs in Europe.[8] He also toured with producer Chet Atkins in Japan during the early 1970s.[4] Locklin remained with RCA Victor until 1974.[9] Among the highlights in his remaining RCA years was a collaborative record with Danny Davis and the Nashville Brass in 1970. It featured re-recordings of some his biggest hits.[29] His final album for the label was 1972's Mayor of McLellan, Florida.[30]

Locklin in a trade ad for Billboard magazine, 1968.

1975–2007: Later years

Following his departure from RCA Victor Records, Locklin recorded for various other labels, beginning with MGM Records.[4] In 1975, his self-titled studio album was released on the label and included a collection of ten tracks. The record was produced by fellow country artist, Mel Tillis.[31] Three singles were spawned from the album, but failed to become commercially-successful.[9] He then moved to Plantation Records in 1977 where he recorded the studio record, There Never Was a Time. It was produced by Shelby Singleton and also featured ten tracks of new material.[32] Four singles were spawned from the album, which also were unsuccessful.[9] He also turned his attention to other opportunities during this period. In the 1970s, Locklin hosted a handful of television programs in the Texas cities of Dallas and Houston. He also continued performing overseas, particularly in Ireland. He also remained an active performer on the Grand Ole Opry.[14][1] During this period, he was made the honorary mayor in his hometown of McLellan, Florida.[33] The honor was given to him after he was nicknamed the "Mayor of McLellan" by radio and television host Ralph Emery.[34]

Locklin's career began slowing down following the 1970s. In later years, he developed a blood disease that required him to receive transfusions every four weeks. In the early 2000s, his son (Hank Adam Locklin) encouraged his father to return to the recording studio. In 2001, Locklin's first album in decades was released titled, Generations in Song. The project was produced by his son and featured session instrumentation some of the original Nashville A-Team. It also featured collaborations with Vince Gill, Dolly Parton and many others.[6][35] The album received positive reviews from writers and critics following its release. Bruce Eder of Allmusic gave it four stars and praised Locklin's voice: "His voice sounds at least three decades fresher than it has a right to, and the harmonizing and the playing are first-rate, along with the arrangements, which makes this more than an exercise in nostalgia."[36] No Depression also gave the album a warm response, calling its production to have "clean arrangements" that allow his "clear voice to shine through."[37] Ken Burke of Country Standard Time also gave the album a positive review. "the Florida-born tenor can boast not only that he clawed his way out of dire poverty, but built a musical legacy that he can share with his family," Burke wrote.[6]

In 2006, Locklin released his final album called By the Grace of God. The album was a collection of gospel songs that featured collaborations with The Oak Ridge Boys and The Jordanaires.[14][38] The record was issued on Yell Records. It was reviewed favorably by Larry Stephens of Country Standard Time, who praised Locklin's youthful voice and songwriting effort.[39] Also in 2006, Locklin appeared on the PBS special, Country Pop Legends in which he performed "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On," and "Please Help Me I'm Falling".[40] In his final years of performing, Locklin continued appearing at the Grand Ole Opry. In September 2007, he made his last appearance at the venue.[41]

Personal life and death

Locklin was married twice. His first marriage to Willa Jean Murphy began in 1938, but ended in divorce.[8] In 1970 he married Anita Crooks of Brewton, Alabama. He had two sons and four daughters, 12 grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and a few close great nieces and nephews.[5] Among his children is his son, Hank Adam Locklin, a producer and musician. Locklin's son helped manage his career and produce some of his later records.[6] In the 1960s, Locklin built a ranch house called "The Singing L", located in McClellan where he had picked cotton as a boy. He was later made the honorary mayor of the town.[42]

Despite having a career in country music, Locklin never lived in Nashville, Tennessee. Instead he remained on the Gulf Coast of the United States.[43] He moved to Brewton, where he remained throughout his later years, and died there at home in the early morning on March 8, 2009.[42] He is buried in the United Methodist Church Mount Carmel Cemetery, located in Jay, Florida.[44] Following his death, longtime friend Sandy Wyatt commented, "Not only was (Hank) a great artist, he was the nicest man you’d ever meet."[43]

Locklin promotional photograph, 1976.

Musical styles

Locklin's musical style stems from country music's Honky-tonk and Nashville Sound sub-genres.[5][4] In his earliest years, Locklin was primarily a honky-tonk singer that also incorporated elements of Texas shuffles. His earliest records on the Four Star label embodied this particular style. His first songs also took influence from other artists whom he was inspired by. This included Hank Williams. In reviewing Locklin's 1997 compilation, Bruce Eder commented that songs such as "Born to Ramble" drew a strong influence from Williams.[45] Ernest Tubb was another notable influence in his early years and Locklin often copied his musical image.[4]

Locklin's sound and style became more individualized once signing with RCA Records in 1955.[4] His producer Chet Atkins helped create his new image by incorporating a softer Nashville Sound instrumentation. Writer Greg Adams described Locklin's RCA years as having "sweet vocal choruses" backed by horn and string sections.[46] In a 2001 interview, Locklin recounted how Chet Atkins would create musical arrangements by using the guitar he kept in his office: "Then, all of a sudden he'd pick it up and hit a chord or two on something or other that floated through his head. He was so good, and he really helped me a lot with RCA."[6]

Legacy

Locklin is considered by many writers to be one of country music's "great tenors."[4][47][5] Critics have noted that his distinctive high-pitch singing made him standout from other performers of the era. In a review of the compilation RCA Country Legends, Stephen Thomas Erlewine highlighted this characteristic: "Locklin held firm to his country ideals, and whittled down to the essentials as they are here, they offer proof of why country connoisseurs consider him among the best pure singers in the genre."[48] Locklin also helped define the Nashville Sound sub-genre of country music.[5] This particular style brought a cosmopolitan feel and a smooth quality to country music. "I’ve been blessed to have hit songs that are timeless," Locklin commented in 2001.[49]

Locklin's legacy can also be linked with his 49-year membership to the Grand Ole Opry. He was known for his "folksy" style of humor and would often joke with his Opry audience by saying, "We’ll treat you so many ways you’re bound to like one of ’em."[5] In 2007 he was inducted to the Florida Artists Hall of Fame.[50] In November 2020, PBS aired a documentary on Locklin's career and legacy called, Hank Locklin: Country Music's Timeless Tenor. Fellow country artists spoke of his influence on their careers, including Dolly Parton and Dwight Yoakam.[43]

Discography
Main article: Hank Locklin discography

Awards and nominations
Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
1960 Grand Ole Opry Inducted as a member Won [51]
Grammy Awards Best Country & Western Record for "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" Nominated [52]
1964 Best Country & Western Vocal Performance – Male for Hank Locklin Sings Hank Williams Nominated [52]

References
  1. Trott, Walt (1998). The Encyclopedia of Country Music. Oxford University Press. p. 300-01. ISBN 9780199920839.
  2. Gilliland, John (1969). "Show 10 – Tennessee Firebird: American country music before and after Elvis. [Part 2]" (audio). Pop Chronicles. University of North Texas Libraries.
  3. Murrells, Joseph (1978). The Book of Golden Discs (2nd ed.). London: Barrie and Jenkins Ltd. ISBN 0-214-20512-6.
  4. Erlewine, Michael. "Hank Locklin: Biography & History". Allmusic. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  5. Martin, Douglas. "Hank Locklin, Country Singer, Is Dead at 91". New York Times. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  6. Burke, Ken. "Hungry Hank Locklin returns with "Generations in Song"". Country Standard Time. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  7. "Grand Ole Opry Member Hank Locklin Dies at Age 91". Country Music Television. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  8. Leigh, Spencer. "Hank Locklin: Country singer and guitarist". The Independent. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  9. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Hot Country Songs 1944 to 2008. Record Research, Inc. ISBN 978-0-89820-177-2.
  10. Whitburn, Joel (2008). Joel Whitburn's Billboard Top Pop Singles 1955-2006. Record Research. ISBN 978-0898201727.
  11. ""Please Help Me, I'm Falling" (Country Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  12. ""Please Help Me, I'm Falling" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  13. Guinness World Records British Hit Singles 15th Edition. London, UK: Guinness World Records Limited. 2002. p. 301. ISBN 0-85112-187-X.
  14. "Hank Locklin". The Irish Times. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  15. Darden, Beville. "Grand Ole Opry Star Hank Locklin Dies at 91". The Boot. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  16. ""Happy Birthday to Me" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  17. ""Happy Journey" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  18. "Hank Locklin -- Happy Journey (1962, LP)". Discogs. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  19. ""We're Gonna Go Fishin'" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  20. ""Followed Closely by My Teardrops" chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  21. "Hank Locklin -- A Trubute to Roy Acuff: The King of Country Music (1962, LP)". Discogs. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  22. "Spotlight Albums of the Week: Album Reviews". Billboard. 74 (42): 32. October 20, 1962.
  23. "A Tribute to Roy Acuff, King of Country Music: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  24. Adams, Greg. "Sings Hank Williams: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  25. "My Kind of Country Music: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  26. "The Girls Get Prettier chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  27. "Country Hall of Fame album chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  28. Owens, Thom. "Country Hall of Fame: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  29. "Hank Locklin & Danny Davis & the Nashville Brass (1970)". Discogs. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  30. "Hank Locklin -- Mayor of McLellan, Florida (1972, LP)". Discogs. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  31. "Hank Locklin -- Hank Locklin (1975, LP)". Discogs. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  32. "Hank Locklin -- There Never Was a Time (1977, LP)". Discogs. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  33. "Hank Locklin Biography: 10/2006". Hank Locklin.com. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  34. "Hank Locklin". Brewton Standard. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  35. "Hank Locklin -- Generations in Song (Coldwater Records) (2001, CD)". Discogs. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  36. Eder, Bruce. "Generations in Song: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  37. "Hank Locklin – Generations in Song". No Depression. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  38. "By the Grace of God: The Gospel Album: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  39. Stephens, Larry. "Hank Locklin -- By the Grace of God". Country Standard Time. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  40. "Glen Campbell Hosts Country Pop Legends, A Special Reunion Performance Featuring Hank Locklin, Crystal Gale, and More". PBS. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  41. "Country singer Hank Locklin dies". Variety. Retrieved December 3, 2020.
  42. "Grand Ole Opry member Hank Locklin dies in Alabama". Associated Press via WVLT-TV. March 9, 2009. Archived from the original on March 13, 2009. Retrieved March 9, 2009.
  43. Kennedy, Emma. "Santa Rosa County country superstar's story to air on WSRE". Pensacola News Journal. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  44. Hank Locklin at Find a Grave
  45. Eder, Bruce. "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On: Hank Williams: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  46. Adams, Greg. "Please Help Me I'm Falling: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  47. "Hank Locklin Obituary (2009)". Tennessean. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  48. Erlewine, Stephen. "RCA Country Legends: Hank Locklin: Songs, Reviews, Credits". Allmusic. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  49. "Country music star Hank Locklin, 91, dies". The Oklahoman. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  50. "Lawrence Hankins "Hank " Locklin – Division of Cultural Affairs – Florida Department of State". Florida-arts.org. Retrieved August 18, 2015.
  51. Riker, Mary. "Hank Locklin film by WSRE to air in 13 states this month celebrating his Grand Ole Opry anniversary". PBS. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
  52. "Hank Locklin: Artist". Grammy Awards. Retrieved December 4, 2020.
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