Communiqué
Country Crooner “Hank Locklin: Country Music’s Timeless Tenor” – July 31 at 9 pm
< < Back toRemembering Country Crooner Hank Locklin in celebration of his Grand Ole Opry 60th anniversary and 60 years of the crossover hit, “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”
Saturday, July 31, 2021 at 9 pm
Headlining those featured in the film are Bill Anderson, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Jeannie Seely, Marty Stuart and Dwight Yoakam.
“It is so very special for Hank and speaks to the level of respect and admiration he still holds that some of the biggest names and most beloved personalities in country music granted interviews for this film. I mean, about half of the cast are in the Country Music Hall of Fame,” said first-time film producer Mary Riker.
Locklin’s lifelong career produced 65 albums, six No. 1 hits, two Grammy nominations and 70 chart singles, including the 1960 monster hit “Please Help Me, I’m Falling” and the self-penned “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.” He signed his first recording contract in 1949 with 4 Star Records. In 1955, he signed with RCA Victor, where he recorded with producer Chet Atkins and helped establish the Nashville sound subgenre of country music. His last album was gospel. He recorded “By the Grace of God” in 2006 at age 88.
“I don’t know what he did to keep his voice in such great shape, but his voice stayed really high and very clear way up until the end of his life and career,” said Seely, who speaks in the film about the family-like camaraderie among Opry members.
Locklin was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Nov. 12, 1960, and remained an active member for 49 years until his death at age 91.
Parton, who recently celebrated her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry, said about Locklin, “I always will believe that he was one of the greatest that was ever on the stage at the Opry.”