Thursday, March 25, 2010

Put Your Shoes On Lucy



I found this snappy little ditty accidentally on purpose.  I was doing research on the Hankins family and found a famous family member--who has long been forgotten by the Boomer generation.

This is what I found out:

Renowned lyricist, singer, actress and music composer, professionally known as “Hank Fort” died January 12, 1973 in Washington, D.C. after spending the Christmas holidays with her friends, the Thomas J. Johnson family at South Point Farm in Berlin, Maryland.

Her funeral was held at Christ Church in Nashville, Tennessee with Senators John L. McClellan and Barry Goldwater among the pallbearers.

Hank composed more than 400 songs. One of her last, “Look With Pride on Our Flag”, was dedicated to President Richard Nixon and was featured during his inaugural celebration.

Her most popular songs were “Put Your Shoes On Lucy”, “I Didn’t Know the Gun Was Loaded”, "The Boardwalk", and “Cherry Blossom Spring” which was played at the 1972 Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C.

She was born Eleanor Hankins on June 14, 1914 in Nashville, Tennessee.  Her parents were illustrious in their own worlds. Her father was the noted artist Cornelius Hankins whose works hang in the capitol buildings in Tennessee and Louisiana and her mother was writer/artist Maude McGee Hankins.

She appeared on television on the Arthur Godfrey and Robert Q. Lewis shows. She sang at many noted Nightclubs including the Copa and was featured in movies and TV commercials.

Besides her professional career in music, she taught at the Peabody Demonstration School.

You'd be surprised how many country/western artists still sing her songs.

"Keep on putting your shoes on, Lucy, and we'll dance all night."  Thanks Hank!

12 comments:

Arkansas Patti said...

Took me forever to figure out how to leave a comment.
I am ditty sensitive so I didn't dare listen to the video. They can drive me a little nuts.

Sheri said...

Patti--Sorry you didn't want to listen! And sorry you couldn't figure out how to leave a comment--not sure I understand why.

This is why I don't blog more often. No one comments and no one seems to care about what I say. I think I'm going to close up shop soon.

Wanda..... said...

I came over from Patti's to listen to "Put Your Shoes On Lucy"! Cute!

I just found you so don't close up shop...I loved seeing the rice patty art in an earlier post!
...Wanda

Bernie said...

Sheri, I popped over from Wanda's blog and I am still smiling. My mom use to sing this song to us when we were kids.....I have never heard it other than when she sang it.....thank you for sharing.
.......:-) Hugs

And please don't close up shop, your blog is fun!

Sheri said...

Wanda and Bertie,
Thank you for visiting my blog and for your kind words.
Sheri

Holly, the Old Western Gal said...

Howdy there! Loved yer post! I'm fascinated by the idea of someone who was so recently writing patriotic songs. But I guess that shows my age, to think 1973 is "recent." *sigh* But to me it seems just a few years ago. Who will take up the torch now and pen such songs?

Sheri said...

Western Gal,
I totally agree. 1973 seems like yesterday. I tried online to find the lyrics to Hank Fort "Nixon" song but couldn't find it. Maybe nobody wants to remember those days.

Travelin'Oma said...

I loved this post and the song. I've been gone for a few days, but I have a bloglines category called "Hooray, a New Post!" and you're on that list. I look forward to everything you write!

Pat said...

Brings back memories:)
You are on my side bar so I visit from time to time.

Betty said...

I would love to hear what you are finding out about the Hankins family - Hank was my great aunt - my father's mother's sister.

Betty said...

I would love to hear what you have found in your research on the Hankins family. Hank was my great aunt - very lively and lovely soul - she was my father's mother's sister.

Betty said...

I would love to hear what you have found in your research on the Hankins family. Hank was my great aunt - very lively and lovely soul - she was my father's mother's sister.