Hank Snow | |
|---|---|
 Hank Snow publicity photo 1963 | |
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Hank, The Yodeling Ranger Hank Snow, The Singing Ranger |
| Born | Clarence Eugene Snow (1914-05-09)May 9, 1914 Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, Canada |
| Died | December 20, 1999(1999-12-20) (aged 85) Madison, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Genres | Country |
| Occupations |
|
| Instrument(s) | Vocals, guitar |
| Years active | 1936–1996 |
| Labels | RCA Victor |
Clarence Eugene "Hank"Snow (May 9, 1914[1] – December 20, 1999)[2] was a Canadiancountry music guitarist, singer, and songwriter. He recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on theBillboard country charts between 1950 and 1980. Snow had success on country music record charts with his songs including: "I'm Moving On", "The Golden Rocket", "The Rhumba Boogie", "I Don't Hurt Anymore", "Let Me Go, Lover!", "I've Been Everywhere", and "Hello Love".[3][4]
Hank Snow wrote songs about a wide range of topics including joy, freedom, travel, anguish, and love. His work was often inspired by his personal experiences, such as his childhood in a small town in ruralNova Scotia. He experiencedextreme poverty,abuse, and physically punishing labor during theGreat Depression. His mother encouraged him to pursue his dream of becoming an entertainer like his idol, country starJimmie Rodgers.[3][4]
Snow received various music awards and is a member of theCountry Music Hall of Fame, theCanadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and theCanadian Music Hall of Fame.[4] The Hank Snow Home Town Museum inLiverpool, Nova Scotia, is dedicated to his life and work.[5][6]
Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was born on May 9, 1914 in the small community ofBrooklyn in Queens County,Nova Scotia,[1] to George Snow (1886–1966) and Maude Marie Hatt (1889–1953).[7][8] He was the fifth of six children, of whom the two eldest died in infancy. His parents were married on November 10, 1909, inLiverpool, Nova Scotia.[7] In his autobiography, Snow describes his parents' struggle to feed their four remaining children during hard financial times. His father worked for low pay as a foreman insawmills, often far from home, while his mother helped support the family by washing clothes and scrubbing floors. Both parents showed musical talent. Snow said his father loved to sing, and described his mother as an accomplished singer who played piano duringsilent films at the local theatre and sometimes performed inminstrel shows. She also enjoyed playing herpump organ.[4]
Snow's parents legally separated when he was eight, and the localOverseer of the Poor decided he and his siblings should be taken from their mother due to her financial difficulties. One sister moved in with an aunt while the other two were sent to separate foster homes. Snow went to live with his paternal grandmother, who forbade him from mentioning his mother and abused him.[9] After divorcing his father, Hank's mother married Charles Tanner in 1930.[8] Tanner was frequently violent and abusive towards Snow.[10] Gradually, Snow began visiting his mother in nearbyLiverpool, and eventually, after his grandmother's attempt to send him toreform school failed, he was allowed to rejoin his mother.[4]
After his mother's remarriage, she ordered a Hawaiiansteel guitar and lessons, along with 78 rpmgramophone records. Initially, she forbade Snow from touching it, but later, she was amazed by his skill. He was soon playing for neighbours and others.[4]
In 1926, Snow worked on a fishingschooner as a "flunky" orcabin boy.[11][2] The job was unpaid, but Snow was allowed to sell cod tongues and fish he caught. After one trip, he used his earnings to buy a guitar and chord book. In 1927 or 1928, he heard radio broadcasts of country artists likeVernon Dalhart andCarson Robison, which inspired him to sing and play for his crewmates.[4]
In August 1930, Snow's schooner nearly wrecked onSable Island, but they were saved by a change in wind. Witnessing other vessels lost in the storm, he vowed to never return to sea.[4]
Snow returned home and worked at various odd jobs, including peddling fish, transporting passengers, unloading ships, and working in the woods. In September 1935, he married Minnie Blanche Aalders.[12] Their son, Jimmie Rodgers Snow, was born soon after.[4]
Snow bought a new guitar and, playing in the style of Jimmie Rodgers, performed in a fish house and aminstrel show inBridgewater. He later auditioned for Halifax radio stationCHNS, and was hired for a Saturday evening show. He adopted the stage name "Hank, The Yodeling Ranger," and performed in various venues, gaining popularity through radio broadcasts.[4]
In 1936, Snow auditioned for the Canadian division ofRCA Victor inMontreal, Quebec, securing a recording contract. His weekly CBC radio show and touring brought him national recognition in Canada, and in the late 1940s his records began to gain popularity with American country music stations.
Snow moved toNashville, Tennessee in 1949, releasing records for RCA Victor under the name "Hank Snow, the Singing Ranger." His performance at theGrand Ole Opry in 1950 brought him widespread attention in the United States. His song "I'm Moving On" became a number-one hit, holding the top spot for 21 weeks.[13] Other number-one hits followed, including "The Golden Rocket" and "The Rhumba Boogie".[14] His rendition of Australian country singerGeoff Mack's "I've Been Everywhere" popularized the song in North America. While performing inRenfro Valley, Snow worked with a youngHank Williams.[15] In 1953,Billboard reported that Snow's son, Jimmie Rodgers Snow, had signed with RCA Victor and would record with his father.[16]
After the success of "I've Been Everywhere" and "I'm Movin' On," Snow purchased a ranch home inMadison, Tennessee, which he namedRainbow Ranch. In recent years the home has been restored by Snow's family.[17] The home was added to theNational Register of Historic Places listings in Davidson County, Tennessee on November 27, 2018.[18]
Snow helped launch the career ofElvis Presley by giving him stage time at the Grand Ole Opry and by introducing him toColonel Tom Parker. They formed a management partnership, but Snow eventually left the management team.[19]
Snow continued to reference Canada in his work, such as in his 1968 albumMy Nova Scotia Home. He was inducted into theNashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1978 and several Canadian music halls of fame. His autobiography,The Hank Snow Story, was published in 1994. He also established the Hank Snow International Foundation For Prevention Of Child Abuse.[20]
Snow retired in 1996 due to respiratory problems. He died on December 20, 1999, at his Rainbow Ranch inMadison, Tennessee, and was buried in Nashville'sSpring Hill Cemetery.[21] His wife Minnie died on May 12, 2003.[22]
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Many artists have covered his music, includingElvis Presley,the Rolling Stones,Ray Charles,Ashley MacIsaac,Johnny Cash, andEmmylou Harris. His song "Hello Love" was used to open broadcasts ofPrairie Home Companion. At 59 years and 11 months old, he became the oldest country artist to have a number-one hit, a record that stood for more than 26 years. In Robert Altman's 1975 filmNashville, a character was partly based on Snow.[23] He is portrayed byDavid Wenham inBaz Luhrmann'sElvis.[24] He is referenced inJimmy Buffett's song "The Wino and I Know".[25] The fictional Finnish snow god, Heikki Lunta, from Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is named after him.[26]
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