Hank Snow

The man known as American country singer/songwriter Hank Snow was born under the name Clarence Eugene Snow in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, Canada. He dropped out of school in the second grade, and went on to become one of country music's legends with 65 top 40 hits, including "I've Been Everywhere".

Hank led a tough childhood life facing the divorce of his parents at age eight and being forced to live with abusive grandparents. He worked as a cabin boy at age 12 on a fishing boat after running away when his grandmother would beat him for visiting with his month. It was with the money from this cabin boy job at an early age in life when Hank bought his first guitar, a T. Eaton Special for $5.95. His mother was a guitar player also and Hank spent his free time on the boat listening to Jimmie Rodgers on the radio but working to adapt his own style which he quickly did. http://www.britannica.com/blogs/2010/02/great-moments-in-pop-music-history-hank-snow-im-movin-on/ http://www.hanksnow.com/about.htm

In 1935 Hank married the woman who stayed by his side through the tough times and the traveling life, Minnie Blanche Aalders. Minnie and Hank had one son who they named Jimmie Rodgers Snow, after Hank's singing idol. .

In 1950 Hank Snow was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry and soon after released his hit song I'm Movin' On which is the feature video of this page. The song was a number one hit for more than 20 weeks. It still still holds the country music record as the song which has held the number one position for the longerst for number of consecutive weeks.

Hank was first known in Canada as The Yodeling Ranger but when he moved to Nashville in 1945 he changed that to The Singing Ranger.

Today the Hank Snow Country Music Centre is housed at the Liverpool Rail station in a location where Hank often sought shelter when he had no place else to go as a child. Never forgetting the struggles he had as a child and not wanting others to go through the same, Hank Snow began the Hank Snow Foundation for abused children.

In the early 50s, Hank Snow discovered a young signer who performed country with a bit more beat but Hank saw the potential in the young man. That singer was Elvis Presley. Hank got Elvis started in the music business by making him the opening act for his show and introducing him to the man who ultimately became his manager. http://www.hanksnow.com/about2.htm

Hank Snow's music has sold more than 70 million records through changing music mediums form 78's, 45's, extended 45' and LP's to 8-tracks, cassettes and compact discs. In his life time Snow recorded over 100 LPs, In the category of performances, Hank Snow entertained troops in the Korean and Vietnam Wars and in other locations overseas like Germany and Norway.

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