One of country music’s most celebrated vocalists, Hank Locklin will release By The Grace of God: The Gospel Album, on September 26th, on Yell Records. The release includes a dozen songs written by Locklin over the past several decades, along with a handful of classic gospel tunes, including “Power In The Blood” and “Just A Closer Walk With Thee.”
By The Grace of God: The Gospel Album is the fulfillment of a long-held desire of Locklin. “I wrote these songs and I wanted to record them, to share them with people,” he explains. “I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to finally see it happening.”
The project features several guest appearances, including the Oak Ridge Boys, the Jordanaires, Jeff & Sheri Easter and Gold City. Duane Allen, lead singer of the Oak Ridge Boys, grew up in Texas, where Locklin first rose to fame. He says that singing with Locklin was a highlight for him. “Hank Locklin is a true legend. He has one of the purest voices in country music and I have been a fan of his since my childhood. It is an honor to sing with a legend.”
“Yell Records is truly honored to be blessed with the opportunity to work with country music legend Hank Locklin and his By The Grace of God: The Gospel Album,” says Doug Grau, President, Yell Records. “This timeless CD is Mr. Locklin's powerful testimony and we hope to share it with as many people as possible.”
By The Grace Of God: The Gospel Album is starting to receive stellar reviews for the oldest living member of the Grand Ole Opry. “At the age of 88, Hank Locklin remains an astonishingly strong singer. Accompanied by The Jordanaires, he kicks off his By the Grace of God: The Gospel Album sounding like a fellow half his age. This man is a wonder. Elsewhere on the collection are such grand guests as Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Oak Ridge Boys and Gold City.” Music Row fax...by Robert K. Oermann.
Locklin’s rise to the top of country music began in the 1940’s, when he began a string of hit songs on country radio that is impressive by any standard, stretching into the 1970’s. Several of his songs made an impact on pop radio as well, and his “Please Help Me I’m Falling” was named the second most popular country song for the first 100 years of Billboard magazine. Locklin became one of the most influential performers in the genre, who is cited today by artists such as Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Dwight Yoakam, Bob Seger, Merle Haggard, George Jones and George Strait as an inspiration. He’s a Lifetime member of the Country Music Association and a two-time Grammy nominee, with more than 15 million records sold worldwide.
