Country music loses another star
By MIKE KONVICKA mkonvicka@journal-spectator.com

Unfortunately county music has lost yet another pioneer singer this month.

Texas native Hank Thompson passed away Tuesday after losing a battle with lung cancer.

His life and musical career will be celebrated next Wednesday at Billy Bob's in Fort Worth.

His style of Western swing was second to none with the possible exception of Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys.

Thompson considered a career in engineering, but remained in show business. He caught the attention of Tex Ritter, who helped him get a contract with Capitol Records.

Thompson's last show was Oct. 8 in his hometown Waco. That day was declared "Hank Thompson Day" by Gov. Rick Perry and Waco Mayor Virginia DuPuy.

Hank, who performed at the Wharton Rotary Gala a few year ago, was as big as life. He was a big Lefty Frizzell fan and his imitation of him was one of best.

I was privileged to meet him and wife at the gala and they were very friendly and cordial.

His voice was still strong as ever.

Like the late Porter Wagoner, Hank was always decked in a brilliant Nudie suit while on stage.

Thompson grew up a fan of Gene Autry, which fueled his love of the guitar.

By the time he finished high school, he was playing on a local radio show. He was featured as "Hank the Hired Hand."

He served in the US Navy, and studied electrical engineering at Southern Methodist University, the University of Texas and Princeton.

A guitar player, Hank churned out hit after hit with the Brazos Valley Boys starting in the late 1940's.

His first recording was "Whoa, Sailor" in 1946. That year, he started a band called the Brazos Valley Boys, which won Billboard magazine's touring band of the year award 14 consecutive times.

Thompson had 29 hits reach the top 10 between 1948 and 1975.

His first hit "Humpty Dumpty Heart" went to No. 2 on the country charts in 1948. His remake of "Wild Side Of Life" hit No. 1 in 1950

Some of my favorites were "Squaws Along The Yukon," "Rub-A-Dub-Heart," "Wildwood Flower," "The Blackboard Of My Heart," "A Six Pack To Go," "Oklahoma Hills," "Most Of All," "Don't Take It Out On Me," "Yesterday's Girl," Take Me Back To Tulsa" "Blue Skirt Waltz, "Asphalt Cowboy," "The Austin Waltz," "The King Of Western Swing," and "Hello Mrs. Johnson."

Thompson released his only Christmas album "It's Christmas Time", on the Sundazed label five year ago

Fans loved Thompson's distinctive gravelly voice and his musical style, a mix of honkytonk and Western swing. He was named to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1989.