Born Hollis R. DeLaughter on 9 February 1939 near Bogalusa, Louisiana, the future performer picked up guitar during childhood. After relocating to Nashville in the early 1960s, he collaborated with Justin Tubb while also working as a studio musician. By 1967 he had assumed the role of frontman in Dottie West’s band, and the following year the pair co-wrote her hit single “Country Girl.” Early in the 1970s Lane cut sides for RCA Records, placing four modest chart entries; among them, “The World Needs A Melody” stood out as the strongest, while “It Was Love While It Lasted” marked his final appearance in 1972. Thereafter he sustained a career as a session player and joined Merle Haggard’s road band on guitar. Although several of his compositions found their way to major artists, Lane himself never repeated his earlier chart accomplishments. Recognition arrived in 1993 with his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
