Tribute to Hank Cochran 

By Ronnie Reno

I was setting at my desk a couple of weeks ago and I got a call from Frank Mull who works with Merle Haggard. He said Merle was in town and wanted me to come down to BMI and sing a little harmony with him for a surprise party for Hank Cochran. For those who don’t know Hank, he is a great song writer here in Nashville.

 
Hank has written such songs as "Make The World Go Away", "I Fall To Pieces", "A Little Bitty Tear", "The Chair", "Don’t Touch Me", "Ocean Front Property", a number 1 song for Merle called "It’s Not Love (but it’s not bad)" and many, many  more.

I got downtown as fast as I could and as luck would have it, I beat Hank to the party with at least 15 minutes to spare. When Hank came around the corner Merle yelled “Surprise” and the party was on.

Merle, Carl Jackson and I sat in chairs with our guitars and Hag sang about 10 songs for Hank. Then all the others got up and did a little tribute to Hank. One of my favorite singers, Gene Watson, was there and he sang 14 Karat Mind, also one that Hank penned.  Dean Dillon and Martina McBride finished out with Hank Cochran songs and Willie Nelson called in and talked to every one at the party. We laughed a lot.

I wish we could do more of these kind of get-togethers …it’s a great atmosphere and all of the singers and writers feel right at home with their songs.

BHTV hopes to shoot these types of things in the future and I would like to know your thoughts.

Drop me an e-mail at ronnie.reno@bluehighwaystv.com and give me some suggestions.