Hank Locklin

born Lawrence Hankins Locklin, February 15, 1918,

Hank Locklin (born Lawrence Hankins Locklin, February 15, 1918, McLellan, Florida; died March 8, 2009, Brewton, Alabama) was an American country music singer-songwriter.

Born in the Florida Panhandle, he was one of country music's Honky Tonk singers. He first recorded for 4 Star Records and had a long recording career with RCA Victor. A member of the Grand Ole Opry, Locklin's biggest hits include "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On", "Geisha Girl", and "Please Help Me I'm Falling", which went to No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 pop music chart. Billboard Magazine's 100th Anniversary issue also listed it as the second most successful country single of the Rock and Roll era.

Other hits for Locklin included, "Happy Journey" (1961), "Happy Birthday To Me" (1962), and "The Country Hall Of Fame" (1968).

Locklin had a strong following in Europe, and in Ireland - his popularity was such that in 1963 he recorded an album called Irish Songs Country Style. He has a fanclub situated in Langeli, Bjerkreim, Norway.

In 2006, he 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". Until his passing in 2009, he was the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry at the age of 91. Locklin recently released his 65th album, By the Grace of God, a collection of gospel songs.

He died in the early morning on Sunday March 8, 2009 at his home in Brewton, Alabama.

Discography: