Hank Thompson
Induction Year: 1997
Birth Name: Henry William - Hank Thompson
Birth Date: September 03, 1925
Place of Birth: Waco, TX
Biography
"There should be music in all our lives. It would take away much of the grimness and sorrow, and to those of us who have been gifted with that greatest of all gifts, the singing voice, comes the great duty of giving what joy our voices may bring to those less fortunate." Hank Thompson
Former Occupations:
U.S. Navy
Education:
Grade School--Brook Ave. (1931-1937)
High School--Waco High (1937-1943)
College--Princeton, SMU, Texas (1945-1946)
Discography / Career Highlights
Career Milestones:
1946--first record, "Whoa Sailor," "Swing Wide Your Gate of Love"
1947--signed recording contract with Capitol; recorded "Humpty Dumpty Heart"
1950s--telecast "The Hank Thompson Show" over WKY in Oklahoma City
1952--#1 country song of the year, "Wild Side of Life"
1952--#1 country artist
1960--"Hank Thompson, Live at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas" released; first live album by a country artist
1997--first recording artist in any field to chart in each of six decades
Awards:
1989--CMA Hall of Fame induction
Catalog Highlights:
"Whoa Sailor"- Artists: Hank Thompson, Mel Tillis
"A Lonely Heart Knows" - Artists: Hank Thompson, Ernest Tubb
"Humpty Dumpty Heart"- Artists: Hank Thompson
"Today" - Artists: Hank Thompson, Ernest Tubb
"Green Light"- Artists: Hank Thompson
"Most of All" - Artists: Hank Thompson, Kitty Wells
"Blackboard of My Heart" - Co-writer: Billy Gray, Lyle Gaston, Artists: Hank Thompson
"Yesterday's Girl" - Co-writer: Billy Gray
"Six Pack to Go" - Co-writer: Dick Hart, Johnny Lowe, Artists: Hank Thompson, George Strait, Vince Gill
"Rub-a-Dub-Dub" - Artists: Hank Thompson, Ralph Flanagan
"Waiting in the Lobby of Your Heart" - Co-writer: Billy Gray, Artists: Hank Thompson
"Gotta Sell Them Chickens" - Artists: Hank Thompson and Junior Brown,
Comments:
Has been referred to as the "King of Western Swing" and the "King of Honky Tonk Swing"
Performed with his band The Brazos Valley Boys, who were voted #1 Country Western Band for 14 consecutive years during the 50s and 60s
