Commemorating the 60th anniversary of his 1960 Grand Ole Opry induction, Hank Locklin: Country Music’s Timeless Tenor recalls the unquestionable talent, unorthodox career path and notable contributions of prolific songwriter, Grammy-nominated recording artist and Grand Ole Opry star Hank Locklin. The story of his music and lifelong career is told by industry friends and admirers, including his youngest son — Hank Adam Locklin, Bill Anderson, Jimmy Capps, Dave Cobb, Ralph Emery, Crystal Gayle, Vince Gill, William Lee Golden, Buddy Kalb, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Jeannie Seely, Ray Stevens, Alan Stoker, Marty Stuart, Jesse Wells and Dwight Yoakam.
With historical photos and footage, the film covers his path from Florida’s Gulf Coast to Nashville by way of Texas (where he began his recording career), his influence on the Nashville sound with RCA Victor producer Chet Atkins, his hit records — including country standards “Please Help Me, I’m Falling” and the self-penned “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On” — and pioneering concept albums, his popularity overseas and five decades of performing as a beloved member of the Grand Ole Opry, where he made his final appearance in 2007 at age 89, still hitting the high notes.
Hank Locklin: Country Music’s Timeless Tenor is a production of PBS member station WSRE in Pensacola, Florida, with funding support from grants and gifts to the WSRE-TV Foundation. The film won a Gold Telly Award and was nominated for a Suncoast Regional Emmy Award in 2021.
Major funding for Hank Locklin: Country Music's Timeless Tenor has been provided in part by A Country Music Community Engagement Grant; The Bear Family Foundation; Jacque Falzone; McKenzie Buick GMC; and by Patricia R. Dyehouse; Bobby and Karen Emmons; Flora-Bama Lounge, Package & Oyster Bar and the Frank Brown International Songwriters’ Festival; Tom and Jane McMillan; Michael V. Riesberg, MD; Pam and Harry Schwartz; Videau Family Charitable Trust; and Pat Windham.
Country Music is a production of Florentine Films and WETA, Washington, DC, and is directed by Ken Burns. Funding for Country Music was provided by Bank of America, the Annenberg Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, Belmont University, Tennessee Department of Tourist Development, the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Rosalind P. Walter and by members of “The Better Angels Society,” including: The Blavatnik Family Foundation, the Schwartz/Reisman Foundation, the Pfeil Foundation, Diane and Hal Brierley, John and Catherine Debs, the Fullerton Family Charitable Fund, the Perry and Donna Golkin Family Foundation, Jay Alix and Una Jackman, Mercedes T. Bass, Fred and Donna Seigel, Gilchrist and Amy Berg, James R. Berdell Foundation, David Bonderman, Deborah P. and Jonathan T. Dawson, Senator Bill and Tracy Frist, Susan and David Kreisman, Rocco and Debby Landesman, Lillian Lovelace, John and Leslie McQuown, Mindy’s Hope Foundation, the Segal Family Foundation, Michelle Smith. Major funding was provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and PBS.
