Hank met his first wife audrey williams during a traveling medicine show and they were married in december 1944 at an alabama gas station. He remained active on the grand ole opry into the 1990s, and he spent a lot of time working for his foundation for the prevention of child abuse which he had established in 1976. In a story that sounds all too similar to todays constant and critical battle between country music traditionalists and the progressive country proponents, snow. He died on december 20, 1999 in madison, tennessee, usa. The hank snow story by hank snow, clarence eugene snow. Recording 140 albums in a 50 year plus career, snow had a clear baritone voice, played guitar, and was an accomplished songwriter. This longawaited autobiography of hank snow traces his life from humble beginnings, through his emergence as an entertainer in canada, the united states, and. Talking about hank snow s personal life, he was a married man. This longawaited autobiography of hank snow traces his life from humble beginnings through his emergence as an entertainer in canada, the united states, and throughout the world, to his stature as one of the most unfluential figures in country music today.
I learned many things that i did not know about my dad in his book. I dont think hank ever played anything but a martin that i know of. When he was eight years old, his parents got separated. Hank snow and his martin the unofficial martin guitar forum. The hank snow story music in american life hardcover july 1, 1994 by clarence eugene hank snow author, jack ownbey author, robert. The 1975 film nashville about a selfobsessed country star portrayed by henry gibson was based on his life. Traces hank snow s life from humble beginnings, through his emergence as an entertainer in canada, the united states, and throughout the world, to his stature as one of the most influential figures in country music today. Hank snow born may 9, 1914, brooklyn, nova scotia, canada died december 20, 1999, madison, tennessee, usa was a canadian country artist. This is just one of many strange facts scattered throughout this book. Clarence eugene hank snow born may 9, 1914 in brooklyn, queens county, nova scotia. Book depository books with free delivery worldwide. Buy hank snows album titled best of the best to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. Hank snow originally did forbidden lovers, i went to your wedding, rocking alone in an old rocking chair, the prisoners dream and other songs. These eyes of mine have seen some things im sure you wouldnt find in a book.
Hank snow in my opinion was one of the greatest stylist in his guitar playing and his singing. Bob burris this longawaited autobiography of hank snow traces his life from humble beginnings, through his emergence as an entertainer in canada, the united states, and throughout the world, to his stature as. Late the following year, he was stricken with a respiratory illness, yet he recovered in 1996, returning to the grand ole opry in august of that year. It was she who encouraged the stagefrightened hank to perform on stage and helped book gigs outside of alabama.
I also remember a story about a car wreck that hank was in and he would not leave going to the hospital in the ambulance until they loaded his d45 in with him. In country music history, hank will go down as one of the all time greats. Snow was very upset with the labels treatment of him, and never recorded again. Buy a cheap copy of the hank snow story music in american. Hank snow this is my story 1966, gatefold, vinyl discogs. He was married only once and was happy with his wife but it was death that made them apart. The hank snow story music in american life clarence eugene hank snow, jack ownbey, robert burris on. Vernon and his wife nancy have two sons, kellen and colby. In accordance with the directives of government and health authorities, we have temporarily suspended operations. He published a lengthy autobiography the hank snow story, in 1994. His autobiography, the hank snow story, appeared in 1994. Hank snow began his career as jack snow, regardless of the fact that his name was actually clarence. Clarence eugene hank snow may 9, 1914 december 20, 1999 was a canadianamerican country music artist.
Hank snow died on december 20, 1999 in his nashville home. Hank is pretty honest in the book, and touches on a lot of subjects. Autobiography the hank snow story hank snow home town. Whilst i respect the right of any person to express an. The establishment of the hank snow country music centre in liverpool, nova scotia in 1997 has made it canadas country music capital. I wonder how many people living today remember that he began his career as a trick rider and yodeler. Snow, hank, the hank snow story, university of illinois press.
If you would like to send hank snow a card, please mail it to him care of the taunton daily gazette, 5 cohannet st. His autobiography the hank snow story was published in 1994. His autobiography, the hank snow story, is one of the best country music books ever written. In my opinion, it is one of the better books written on a country music star.
I also remember a story about a car wreck that hank was in and he would not leave going to the hospital. The hank snow story music in american life by jack ownbey, robert burris clarence eugene hank snow isbn. In the late 80s, bear family began a lengthy retrospective of several multidisc box sets that chronicled his entire recording career. In the late 40s, snow worked on tours with hank williams, later stating, i found hank to be a fine person but the stories about him have been blown completely. This longawaited autobiography of hank snow traces his life from humb.
But more than a ragstoriches memoir, this book presents hanks life and career in his own voice, with remarkable this longawaited autobiography of hank snow traces his life from humble beginnings, through his emergence as an entertainer in canada, the united states, and throughout the world, to his stature as one of the most influential figures in country music today. He died of heart failure and his wife died of natural causes at rainbow ranch in madison, tennessee. The hank snow story it took my father 5 years to write this book. Audrey was a strongwilled woman who became hanks booking agent, road manager and promoter. Buy hank snow s album titled best of the best to enjoy in your home or car, or gift it to another music lover. A victim of child abuse, he established the hank snow international foundation for prevention of child abuse. In 1994, snow published his autobiography, the hank snow story. This book, including the pictures, is awesome, detailing the life of the great hank snow. Vernon oickle is a local author who was born in liverpool. The hank snow story by clarence eugene snow goodreads. The hank snow story music in american life by robert burris,jack ownbey,clarence eugene hank snow and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at.
He sang and played the real traditional country music throughout his successful career. Perhaps best known for his distinct yodelling, he charted more than seventy singles on the billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980, including the number one hits im movin on and. The book is a fairly standard narrative but the photos included within are worth the price of the book. His family was poor and had financial problems many times. Hank snow the jimmie rodgers story releases discogs. Hank was influenced by the famous rail road blues singer jimmie rodgers and though hank did copy rodgers style in his early days, including the blue yodel he later abandoned this and developed his own gritty style of singing. I couldnt remember if it was someone here or on another forum that mentioned the book. Many years ago a friends sister worked in a library and gave me a couple of jim reeves and hank snow albums that were surplus from the library.
Hank snow biography, birth date, birth place and pictures. Hank snow was born on may 9, 1914 in liverpool, nova scotia, canada as clarence eugene snow. Angry at his treatment by the record label and the rootsrevoking sound of new nashville, he nonetheless continued to perform and published an autobiography, the hank snow story, in. Hank s widow, minnie snow, passes away may 12 of pneumonia at age 89. The hank snow story, by hank snow, the singing ranger. The hank snow story music in american life read more. Another elvis story, a new book by jimmie rodgers snow, son of hank snow. Selected pieces of the flamboyant cowboy attire that he routinely wore are enshrined along with his yellow 1947 cadillac at the hank snow country music centre near his home. The singing ranger americas newest recording star by snow, hank and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. One of country music s biggest stars with over 70 million records sold, hank snow was a classic entertainer. He was born to george lewis snow and marie alice boutilier. An accomplished and seasoned performer, playing acoustic, rhythm and electric guitar, rob brown is wellknown to hrm audiences through appearances with his current band ruckus as a singer and guitarist, as well as with the rob brown trio fronting the countryrock band blue river rose in the 90s, during the last 10 years rob has been a critical part of forming the. I cant tell you how long or how many places ive looked for a hank snow cd. Best of the best by hank snow 12676147521 cd barnes.
Country song roundup dec 1956 faron young eddy arnold chet atkins johnny cash elvis presley jerry reed hank snow hank thompson free shippin. I highly recommend hank s autobiography, the hank snow story, which he published in 1994. Most popular in the 1950s, he had a career that spanned more than 50 years, he recorded 140 albums and charted more than 85 singles on the billboard country charts from 1950 until 1980. Well, since i had not, i did as soon as she left, and there he was. Originally published in the britannica book of the year. He is the author of more than 20 books, including red sky at night and bestselling series, one crow. The layout and imagery in the book along with links to videos of colonel snows aerial gun footage is fabulous, creating an experience thats part book and part history channel style documentary.
The times they might have been changing, but hank was still keeping it country. Clarence eugene snow, hank, canadianborn musician born may 9, 1914, brooklyn, n. Autobiography the hank snow story hank snow home town museum. Hank snow, the singing ranger with jack owenbey and bob burris a note on the recordings by charles k. He is truly country musics legend, superstar and icon.
Hank snow biography, albums, streaming links allmusic. Jul 15, 2015 talking about hank snow s personal life, he was a married man. Dec 21, 1999 hank snow, one of the most popular and prolific country stars of the 1950s, died yesterday at his home in madison, tenn. Find great deals on ebay for hank snow and hank snow story. Of late he had cut back on his touring schedule but continued to appear on the opry stage and alongside. His autobiography, the hank snow story, was published in 1994, and later the hank snow country music centre opened near his ancestral home in liverpool, nova scotia. Recounts the authors childhood in nova scotia, his efforts to succeed as a musician in canada and the united states. Clarence eugene hank snow may 9, 1914 december 20, 1999 was a. Hank is pretty honest in his book about some of the major events in his life. University of illinois press canadian country music hall of fame, 1994. His biography, the hank snow story, is a personal record of the difficulties of his early years, his rise to success and his participation in a number of remarkable events.
Hank snow, country singer, is dead at 85 the new york times. Hank snow the singing ranger with jack ownbey and bob burris. His autobiography, the hank snow story, was published in 1994, and later the hank. This is a beautiful piece of work, and an incredible story.
We are pleased to have the new book by vernon oickle titled, im movin on. Hank snow country singer source for information on snow, hank. Mar 04, 2008 the early hank snow version of this song words and music by bill trader covered by many singers since. A yodeling crooner from humble beginnings, he followed his own adolescent wanderlust and went to sea at the age of 12, during which time he developed the outlook and persona of a traditional rambling. I reckon hank snow was better known for his distinctive self taught guitar style. Hank snow covered forbidden lovers, i went to your wedding, rocking alone in an old rocking chair, beggar to a king and other songs. Nineteen ninetyfour saw the publication of an acclaimed autobiography, the hank snow story. Graves of hank snow earl scruggs roy acuff keith whitley george morgan beth whitson spa guy duration. Hank snow died of suspected heart failure at his rainbow ranch in madison, tennessee, on december 20, 1999. It was one of the last major things he did before he died.