The phone rang at about 3:30 pm.  I'd been waitin' for that call, for about an hour, and THOUGHT I was ready for it.  But, of course, you're never REALLY ready to interview such a huge country music legend. At least, not most of us!  If you are, well, you're a 'better man than I'…so to speak. Yep, I'd prepared myself,  done my homework, listened to lots of his music, scribbled down a few questions, and really, I THOUGHT I was ready!  What a laugh!  I was a nervous wreck!  I could only hope he couldn’t  hear my knees shakin', through the speaker phone.  ….You couldn't, could ya, Hank??

So, who was calling, you ask?  Who IS this legend I'm talkin' about?  Well, he's the one that ALL of you are familiar with…All of you are fans of…and all of you have danced to his songs.  His name…Hank Cochran.  The Legend.  And I was the one who had the honor of interviewing this great man…great writer…great artist!  ME! Just a li'l ol' Yankee, who wears a hat and tries to give y'all a smile now and then. How exciting! I tell ya, kids, this job just keeps getting' better and better.  

Our conversation began with an apology from Hank, for being a little late with the call.  We'd planned it to take place a little earlier, but he'd gotten tied up with other interviews. (hey,  who could BLAME those  other interviewers for hangin' on to him as long as possible?!)  Certainly not I…and he sure didn't have to apologize to ME!  But… he's a gentleman, a southern gentleman…born and raised in Mississippi, and lived most of his adult life in Tennessee.  So, I accepted his sweet apology, and we moved right on to the fun stuff.  Like, telling him how much I loved his music, and how in awe of him I am!  Geeeeez.  I sounded more like a star-struck fan than a professional journalist!  Well, the fact is, I WAS a bit starstruck!  And I AM a fan! But I had to, at least TRY, to recover my senses, and try to stick to the subject at hand….which was, of course, HIM…Hank Cochran, the writer of some of the greatest hit songs ever produced! But I failed miserbly, I'm sure.  He probably wondered if I really WAS a journalist!  I've honestly, never gushed so much while interviewing a celebrity!  …I apologize to YOU, Hank!  …..And heck, since this was a phone interview, I didn't even have a chance to "wow" him with my hat!  (smile) 

What a treat for me, to talk with the person who wrote the songs I've loved for as long as I've been listening to Country music.  I'll name just a few of them, but I'm sure I don't really need to.  'Cause if you're readin' this, you're a follower of the country music scene, and quite familiar, I'm SURE, with this Legend's work!  But just for the heck of it, I'm gonna list a few of 'em.  Humor me, ok?

The one that stands out in my mind the most, is "Make The World Go Away", which Eddy Arnold (among many others!) recorded, and who made it a hit that rode the charts for quite awhile.  Then, of course, there was that other song….you know….the one that we ALWAYS put together with Patsy Cline.  Yep, it's "I Fall To Pieces".  And not only did she record it, she also made it such a huge hit, that it surpassed anything else she'd done prior to that.  I think it’s the song that really made her a star! Hank told me that Patsy was just a kid startin' out, and makin' only about $100 bucks a week, at the time.  He sure has a way of pickin' 'em.  The artists, I mean.  For instance, did you know he was the one who really discovered Willie Nelson!?  Well, he did!  And aren't we lucky he did!  Imagine how much we would have missed, if the outlaw Willie hadn't been around to sing for us!  Hank told me he was gonna be meetin' up with Willie down in Pensacola Florida later this month…I'm sure they'll have a lot of fun jammin' and just basically entertaining anyone and everyone who happens to be lucky enough to be hangin' around! When the two of them get together, it must be like MAGIC! Sadly, Hank has injured his hand recently, and until it heals, he'll be layin' back as far as pickin' is concerned….Maybe his old buddy and fellow songwriter, Red Lane will be around to help him out!  Wouldn't THAT be great!!

I'm tellin' you, folks, Hank Cochran is one of the most humble men I've ever talked with.  He knows how "lucky" he is, and gives all the credit to his Lord.  He said he looks back sometimes, and just can't believe what's happened to him over the years.  I think if you'd visit his website sometime, and watch the video clip where he sings "I'd Better Write It Down", you'll be able to FEEL that humility, and it'll touch your heart.  It's beautiful.  As is that cabin of his, we get to see in the video!  Hank told me that he can fish right off his porch! …While lyin' in bed!  …what a life, geeeez…. we should ALL be so "lucky", huh? Or maybe the word should be…GIFTED!

With songs like those I mentioned, as well as some more current ones such as "The Chair" and "Oceanfront Property" (George Strait), and "Even The Wind" (Daryle Singletary), "He's Got You" (Ricky VanShelton), and "What a Merry Christmas This Could Be" (George Strait), no one could be surprised to hear that Hank's recently been nominated in the category of "Songwriter of the Year" for Country's 3^rd Annual Golden Voice Awards, to be presented in Nashville on board the General Jackson, on June 14^th.  This award show is sponsored by The Performer's Benefit Fund, which assists Opry members with adequate health care insurance.  Good luck, Hank!   You know, Hank's received all kinds of awards and honors in the past, including his induction into the Nashville Songwriters' Association International Hall of Fame, in 1974 (where the vote was a record-breaking UNANIMOUS!).  He's also, recently, received the BMI Millionaires Award for 2 million-Plus performances of  "Oceanfront Property", "Set 'Em Up, Joe", "Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me", "She's Got You", "Make the World Go Away", and "I Fall To Pieces".

Currently, Hank is busy at work (with Mike Brown, who's written many songs with him) on a new gospel album, which should be ready for release in the very near future.  So be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for it.  This is one CD you won't want to miss! 

Personally, I have to tell you, folks, I just REALLY like this guy!  I don't know how I could form an opinion of someone, over the PHONE, so quickly…I usually don't.  But Hank Cochran has a way about him.  He speaks to ya like an old friend. And he's warm. He's totally non-intimidating.  He's got a great sense of humor, and he seems quite happy with his life today in his home in Hendersonville (with wife, Suzi, who's an interior designer). Just like you'd expect of someone who could write such endearing lyrics as in "Itty Bitty Tear"!  I am blessed to have had the opportunity to meet him, and believe me, I don't take things like this for granted. 

Before I go, I just quickly want to say thanks to Martha Moore, of  the 'so much Moore' agency, for making today's interview possible.  She's a person who cares about her clients, and treats everyone with such respect, that I'd say… if you ever have a chance to meet with her, DO IT!  Oh, and one last thing.  Hank told me to tell you, the hard-working singer-songwriters out there, to continue your journey in music and to

be in touch with the Nashville Songwriter's Association, 'cause they can help move your career in the direction you're workin' toward.  He feels like that organization has some of the best people  to help you move forward. He also said that now is the time to get your songs out there.  Things are slow. Good songs are hard to find.  So listen up, boys and girls, if Hank Cochran advises you to get out there NOW, and push your songs, well I'd say, follow the leader!  And, this "Legend" IS the leader! I don't think anyone in this business,  would argue that point. 

                                         “an independent view”  by Linda Fryer, BMI, CLA

                                           Freelance Music/Entertainment Journalist

                                          http://www.countryfryednews.com

                                         Lfryer1324@aol.com