Hank Locklin

Hank Locklin, an American country music singer and songwriter, has left a lasting impression in the genre with his high-tenor voice and a series of hits spanning several decades. Born on February 15, 1918, in McLellan, Florida, Locklin became a mainstay on the country charts from the 1940s to the 1970s, and his music continues to be celebrated for its traditional country sound.

A fascinating chapter in Locklin's career involves his hit song, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling." Released in 1960, the song quickly climbed to the top of the Billboard Country charts, where it stayed for a remarkable 14 weeks. What makes the story even more interesting is that "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" became the catalyst for a new style of playing the steel guitar in country music. The song featured a "slip note" style of playing by steel guitarist Don Helms, which had never been heard before on a country record. This unique style greatly influenced the Nashville sound, marking a significant shift in the way the steel guitar was played in country music from then on. This story highlights Locklin's significant contribution to the evolution of country music, both through his emotive singing and his innovative approach to instrumentation.