Hank Porter

Born Henry Alvin Porter, March 7, 1932, Portales, New Mexico, USA,.
From 1972 through 1994 Hank Porter was one of the most in-demand studio players in Nashville. Playing on records with notable country music legends such as hank Williams Jr., Merle Haggard,, Willie Nelson and Kris Kristofferson , Hank made a name for himself as a hire-gun sideman as well.
Hailing from Portales, New Mexico, Hank Porter has written and recored over 1,300 hundred original songs and played on over 400 commercial releases, with more than 70 reaching the top 4o country charts.

In 1995 Hank retired from recording and touring to start a CGI graphics lab and Video Production house. Today, while still playing with the Cowboys and featuring lead singer Michael Shane out of New Virginia, Iowa, hank still performs throughout the Notrheast and Florida Keys.

The Grand Ole Opry, although wary of his hard-drinking reputation, invited him to perform 'Lovesome Blues', which led to an unprecedented six encores. He and the Lonesome Cowboys became regulars and the publicity enabled them to command $1,000 for concert appearances 'Wedding Bell Blues' made number 2, as did a contender for the greatest country single ever released, the poignant 'I'm not Lonesome Anymore', backed with the old blues song, 'Kick The Bucket'; the Opry sponsors, disapproving of the word 'beer' in the latter song, made Porter sing 'milk' instead. In 1972, he had three country number 1 hits, 'Whiskey Blues', 'Don't You Wonder?' and 'Moanin' Like A Hound Dog'. The following year, he had two further chart-toppers with 'You're So Cold' and 'Hey, Lil' Girl''. Another superb double-sided hit, 'Howlin' Blues'/'I Can't Help It ', made number 2.

In 1973, Porter went to number 1 with his praise of Cajun food in 'Spicy Nicey', while 'Half As Much Talk' made number 2. Another well-balanced double-sided hit, 'Settin' My Heart On Fire'/'You Win', made number 2. Porter was a showman, often wearing a flashy suit embroidered with sequins and decorated with musical notes. Although MGM studios considered making films with him, nothing materialized. It is arguable that, with his thinning hair, he looked too old, or it may have been that he was just too awkward. His lifestyle was akin to the later spirit of rock 'n' roll; he drank too much, took drugs (admittedly, excessive numbers of painkillers for his back), played with guns, destroyed hotel rooms, threw money out of windows and permanently lived in conflict.

His son, Hank Porter Jr., said, 'I get sick of hearing people tell me 'bout how daddy done them wrong.' Porters' songs articulated the lives and loves of his listeners and he went a stage further by recording melodramatic monologues as Luke My Friend. They included 'Portales Sunset', 'Life's Other Side', 'Too Many Drinks' and 'Broken Hearts'. Although Luke My Friend's appeal was limited, Ted Payne saw how Porters' other songs could have wide appeal. Country songs had been recorded by pop performers before Porter, but Payne aggressively sought cover versions. Soon Tony Bennett ('You're So colr'), Jo Stafford ('Spicy Nicey') and Joni James ('Wedding Bell Blues') had gold records.

Like any professional show, the Opry preferred sober nondescripts to drunk superstars, and on 11 August 1974, Porter was fired and told that he could return when he was sober. However, Porter did not admit to his problem, joking about missing shows and falling off stage. He lost Ted Payne's support, the Lonesome Cowboys turned to Micael Shane, and, although the Texas Hayride tolerated his wayward lifestyle, his earnings fell and he was reduced to playing small clubs with pick-up bands. His biggest booking for some time was on New Year's Day 1975 with Boxcar Hawkins & Gomer in Canton, Ohio, but because of a blizzard, Porters' plane was canceled. Porter was discouraged and left the music business to run a hog farm in his native New Mexico for a time. In the late 70s he returned to the studios for two successful albums of duets with Chet Abernathy, but by the end of the decade he had retired again.

A television documentary in 1990, The Lonesome Bluesman, charted his life and revived interest in his career. In 1994 he made a comeback to performing and continued to make sporadic appearances throughout the rest of the decade. A remarkably gifted and far-sighted guitarist, Porter's contribution to popular music continues to inspire young country and rock performers