Hank Show Country musician Date of Birth: 09.05.1914 Country: USA

1. Early Life and Musical Beginnings
2. Rise to Fame
3. Country Music Icon
4. "I've Been Everywhere" and Elvis Presley
5. Later Career and Legacy
6. Personal Life and Death

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was born on May 9, 1914, in Brooklyn, Queens County, Nova Scotia, Canada. At age 12, he ran away from home to escape his abusive stepfather and became a cabin boy on a fishing vessel. At 14, he ordered his first guitar from a catalog for $5.95. Hank's debut performance at 16 took place in a church basement in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. He subsequently sang in local clubs and bars in nearby Halifax, where he married Minnie Blanche Aalders in 1935.

Rise to Fame

After a successful radio performance, Snow was signed by RCA Victor in Montreal, Quebec, in 1936. For 45 years, he remained with the label. A weekly radio show on CBC granted Hank national prominence, and he began touring Canada. In the late 1940s, American radio stations started playing his records.

Country Music Icon

In 1945, Snow relocated to Nashville, Tennessee, the heart of American country music. Known as the "Singing Ranger" and "Yodelling Ranger" for his distinctive vocals, Hank was invited to join the "Grand Ole Opry" in 1950. That same year, he recorded "I'm Moving On," the first of Snow's seven number-one singles. It held the top spot for a record-breaking 22 weeks.

"I've Been Everywhere" and Elvis Presley

One of Hank Snow's most iconic songs was "I've Been Everywhere," which showcased his persona as a traveling man. Originally written by Australian Geoff Mack, Snow rewrote it to reference American cities. As a regular at the "Grand Ole Opry," Hank convinced the show's creators to book the young Elvis Presley in 1954. He also introduced Presley to Colonel Tom Parker, who would become Elvis' long-time manager.

Later Career and Legacy

Over a career spanning six decades, Hank Snow sold over 80 million records. Known for his flashy, sequined stage costumes, he became a U.S. citizen in 1958 but never forgot his Canadian roots. In 1968, he released "My Nova Scotia Home" in tribute to his homeland. Despite his lack of formal education, Snow was a gifted songwriter and was inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1978.

Personal Life and Death

Snow's autobiography, "The Hank Snow Story," was published in 1994. A music center dedicated to him opened in Nova Scotia near his birthplace. He established the Hank Snow International Foundation For Prevention Of Child Abuse, inspired by his childhood experiences. Hank Snow passed away on December 20, 1999, at age 85, at his Rainbow Ranch in Madison, Tennessee. His widow, Minnie, died in 2003.