Hank DeVito

Hank DeVito
Birth name	Henry M. DeVito
Genres	Rock music, country music
Occupation(s)	Musician
Instruments	Pedal steel guitar
Years active	1968–present
Associated acts	New York Rock & Roll Ensemble, Emmylou Harris, The Notorious Cherry Bombs

Henry M. "Hank" DeVito is an American musician and photographer known primarily for his pedal steel guitar work and songwriting.

After high school, DeVito attended the School of Visual Arts in New York City. He studied graphic arts and intended to pursue a career as a graphic designer. But he also began playing music gigs in 1968.

In 1970, DeVito joined the New York Rock & Roll Ensemble which also included Michael Kamen and Dorian Rudnytsky.

DeVito was an original member of Emmylou Harris's Hot Band, along with James Burton (electric guitar), Glen Hardin (piano), Rodney Crowell (acoustic guitar), John Ware (drums), and Emory Gordy Jr. (bass). In 2004, Emmylou and the Hot Band original members (including DeVito) reunited for an evening when Emmylou was awarded the ASCAP Founders Award.

DeVito was also an original member of the Hot Band offshoot The Cherry Bombs, a band formed to support Rodney Crowell and Roseanne Cash on tour in the early 1980s. Besides DeVito, the band included Vince Gill (guitar), Tony Brown (keyboards), Larrie Londin (drums), and Emory Gordy Jr. (bass). In 2003, they reunited to record the Notorious Cherry Bombs album.

As a session musician, DeVito worked with Hoyt Axton , Arlo Guthrie, Tim Krekel, Nicolette Larson, Ralph McTell, Buck Owens, Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, and others.

DeVito has written many songs, and a number of them were successful. Examples include "If You Change Your Mind" by Rosanne Cash, "Sweet Little Lisa" by Dave Edmunds, "Blue Side of Town" by Patty Loveless and "Queen of Hearts" by Juice Newton.

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