CMT News

Famed Songwriter Hank Cochran Undergoes Cancer Surgery

Legendary singer-songwriter Hank Cochran is recovering at a Nashville hospital following surgery to remove cancerous tumors from his pancreas and lymph node. Inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1974, his songwriting credits include Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go Away," Ronnie Milsap's "Don't You Ever Get Tired of Hurting Me," Vern Gosdin's "Set 'Em Up Joe," Patsy Cline's "I Fall to Pieces" and "He's Got You" and George Strait's "Ocean Front Property" and "The Chair." His songs have also been recorded by Elvis Presley, Ray Price, Linda Ronstadt and many others. Cochran, 72, is expected to remain hospitalized for several weeks. "I feel so blessed," he said in a written statement. "The diagnosis was made very early, and the doctors expect me to make a full recovery."