1. Lawrence Hankins Locklin was an American country music singer and songwriter.
44 Facts About Hank Locklin
1. 2.
Hank Locklin had 70 chart singles, including two number one hits on Billboards country chart.
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Hank Locklin developed a fondness for country music following an accident in his childhood.
4.
Hank Locklin learned to play the guitar during his recovery and began performing locally as well.
5.
Hank Locklin had his first major hit on the Billboard country chart the same year.
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In 1955, Hank Locklin signed with RCA Victor Records and under the production of Chet Atkins, he had his biggest success as a country artist.
7.
Hank Locklin had a string of major hits during the late 1950s and early 1960s.
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Hank Locklin joined the cast of the Grand Ole Opry and remained a member for nearly 50 years.
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Hank Locklin became a major concert attraction internationally as well, touring overseas in Europe beginning in the 1960s and 70s.
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Hank Locklin 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.
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Hank Locklin later recorded for other labels, including MGM, Plantation and Coldwater.
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Hank Locklin was the youngest of four children born to a musically inclined family.
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Hank Locklin learned to play the guitar during his recovery and continued pursuing music through his teenage years.
14.
Hank Locklin won several talent contests and performing at a radio station in Pensacola, Florida.
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Hank Locklin performed in nearby states, including regular gigs with bands in Mobile, Alabama.
16.
Hank Locklin began composing his own material, largely influenced by the music of Ernest Tubb.
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Hank Locklin then joined the band of country musician Jimmy Swan and made regular concert appearances.
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Hank Locklin formed his own backing band in 1947 named the Rocky Mountain Playboys.
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Hank Locklin secured a contract with Four Star Records through his association with Pappy Daily.
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Also in 1949, Hank Locklin joined the cast of the Louisiana Hayride in Shreveport, Louisiana.
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Hank Locklin had his first major hit in 1949 with a self-penned single titled "The Same Sweet Girl".
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Hank Locklin even recorded the original version of his future hit "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On".
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Furthermore, Hank Locklin still was receiving little royalties from his success with the label.
24.
In 1958, Hank Locklin had major hits with "It's a Little More Like Heaven" and a remake of "Send Me the Pillow You Dream On".
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Hank Locklin believed it to be a hit and decided to cut it in the studio.
26.
Hank Locklin did not reach the top of the country charts again, but he continued having commercial success with RCA Victor.
27.
Hank Locklin expanded his recording of concept albums during the 1960s.
28.
Writers noted their appreciation for the fact that Hank Locklin chose to sing Acuff's songs in his own style rather than emulate him.
29.
In 1968, Hank Locklin returned with his first top 10 hit in several years titled "The Country Hall of Fame".
30.
Hank Locklin 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".
31.
Hank Locklin was among country music's early artists to perform at military bases and clubs in Europe.
32.
Hank Locklin toured with producer Chet Atkins in Japan during the early 1970s.
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Hank Locklin then moved to Plantation Records in 1977 where he recorded the studio record There Never Was a Time.
34.
Hank Locklin turned his attention to other opportunities during this period.
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Hank Locklin remained an active performer on the Grand Ole Opry.
36.
In 2006, Hank Locklin released his final album titled By the Grace of God: The Gospel Album.
37.
Also in 2006, Hank Locklin appeared on Country Pop Legends in which he performed "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On", and "Please Help Me I'm Falling".
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Hank Locklin had two sons and four daughters, 12 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren.
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Hank Locklin's son helped manage his career and produce some of his later records.
40.
Hank Locklin moved to Brewton, where he remained throughout his later years, and died there at home in the early morning on March 8,2009.
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Hank Locklin is buried in the United Methodist Church Mount Carmel Cemetery, located in Jay, Florida.
42.
In reviewing Hank Locklin's 1997 compilation, Bruce Eder wrote that songs such as "Born to Ramble" drew a strong influence from Williams.
43.
Hank Locklin emulated the musical styles of Ernest Tubb.
44.
Hank Locklin was so good, and he really helped me a lot with RCA.