Hank Snow

Country Music Singer, Composer. Hank Snow was a Canadian musician, who achieved country music stardom far from the borders of America, developing and shaping this musical genre. At the time of his death in Madison (Nashville suburb) at age 85, he was given major credit for transforming country music from a largely rural musical style to an internationally popular mode. Hank Snow had a huge following in Britain, Germany, Australia and the Far East. Born Clarence Eugene Snow in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, he would at age fourteen buy his first guitar for under ten dollars from a mail order catalog, self-learn to play, then go on to a 45-year show business career while recording and selling over 70 million records. His songs "I'm Moving On" was number one for almost two years followed by "Don't Hurt Anymore" for almost the same lengthy period. Other number one hits..."Golden Rocket" "The Rhumba Boogie" " "I've Been Everywhere" and "Hello Love." Other major hits included "Fool Such as I" "Beggar into a King" and "Ninety Miles An Hour (Down a Dead End Street)." In all, he had more than 40 songs place in the country music Top Ten. He was already famous in the small country and western song market of Canada before venturing to the U.S. and a national tour in 1940. Hank appeared at two major events, the Wheeling Jamboree in West Virginia and the Big D Jamboree in Dallas. An attempted Hollywood movie career was unsuccessful. The acquirement of a trained horse named Shawnee with appearances at arenas doing tricks, daredevil riding and singing did not help. Settling in Nashville, "The Capital of Country Music" in 1949, the city would not only become a springboard to fame and fortune, his naturalization in 1958 but his hometown until his death. He would initially struggle here even to the point of almost returning to Canada. An invitation to the Grand Ole Opry was the key. Snow would become a member and remain for fifty-two years. However, in the latter part of the 60's, aging would diminish his career and he would disappear from the charts and be basically gone as RCA dropped him from their list of performers after some 45 years and making over 140 albums. His health began to decline some three years before his death after developing respiratory problems. He was released from a Nashville hospital just two weeks before passing away at his Rainbow Ranch in Madison from heart failure. Funeral services were held at The Grand Ole Opry. His closed casket sat at the foot of the Opry stage, as performers took turns lauding the famous country singer including Marty Stuart. The audience mirrored the who's who of country music including Garth Brooks and country veterans Little Jimmy Dickens and Kitty Wells. Some interesting facts about Hank Snow...His formal education was a sixth grade level but he became a gifted songwriter. His songs have been sung by hundreds of performers, including Ray Charles and the Rolling Stones. He was inducted into both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. The 1975 film "Nashville" about a self-obsessed country star portrayed by Henry Gibson was based on his life. His autobiography "The Hank Snow Story" was published in 1994. The establishment of The Hank Snow Country Music Centre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia in 1997 has made it Canada's country music capital. Their goal is to maintain and preserve the history of Canadian country music and each year induct a deserving performer into its hall of fame. The Center is housed in Liverpool's abandoned Railway Station where Hank sought shelter during his abusive childhood. It features not only personal memorabilia of Snow but also from various other Canadian country music stars. Hank endured an abusive childhood leading to his establishment of the "Hank Snow Foundation" which aids abused children around the world. In a bit of trivia...At age sixty-one, his song "Hello Love" became a number one hit giving him the honor of being the oldest country performer to achieve this milestone.