Lawrence Hankins Locklin[1] (February 15, 1918 – March 8, 2009) was an American country music singer and songwriter.

Billboard's 100th anniversary issue listed it as the second most successful country single of the rock and roll era.

In his early adulthood, he formed his own band called the Rocky Mountain Playboys, which played gigs and performed on local radio.

In 1955, Locklin signed with RCA Victor Records and under the production of Chet Atkins, he had his biggest success as a country artist.

[5] During the early 1940s, Locklin was dismissed from participating in World War II due to the bus accident in his childhood (which still affected his leg).

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.

The single reached the top 10 of the Billboard Country & Western Records Most Played By Folk Disk Jockeys chart, becoming his first major hit in three years.

[8] Released as a single in 1960, "Please Help Me, I'm Falling" reached number one on the Billboard country songs chart in May.

[5] It also became Locklin's biggest hit on the Billboard pop chart, reaching the number eight position in August 1960.

[14][15] Locklin did not reach the top of the country charts again, but he continued having commercial success with RCA Victor.

[9] In November 1961, the single "Happy Birthday to Me" (written by Bill Anderson) reached number seven on the Billboard country songs chart.

Writers noted their appreciation for the fact that Locklin chose to sing Acuff's songs in his own style rather than emulate him.

[23] With an expanding fan base in Ireland, Locklin recorded 1963's Irish Songs, Country Style.

Allmusic's Greg Adams rated it 2.5 out of 5 stars, calling Locklin "a good yodeler [who] seems to struggle a little.

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 was his first to chart the Billboard Top Country Albums list, reaching number 26.

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".

In the early 2000s, his son (Hank Adam Locklin) encouraged his father to return to the recording studio.

"[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.

"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.

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 Country Pop Legends in which he performed "Send Me the Pillow That You Dream On", and "Please Help Me I'm Falling".

Following his death, longtime friend Sandy Wyatt stated "Not only was (Hank) a great artist, he was the nicest man you’d ever meet.

In reviewing Locklin's 1997 compilation, Bruce Eder wrote that songs such as "Born to Ramble" drew a strong influence from Williams.

[4] His producer Chet Atkins helped create his 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.

[45] In a 2001 interview, Locklin recounted how Chet Atkins created 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 known for his "folksy" style of humor and often joked with his Opry audience by saying "We’ll treat you so many ways you’re bound to like one of ’em.

Fellow country artists spoke of his influence on their careers, including Dolly Parton and Dwight Yoakam.