Wednesday, March 08, 2006

Hank Snow


Hank Snow
Originally uploaded by wastedpapiers.
"Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow was born on May 9th, 1914 in the sleepy fishing village of Brooklyn, Queens County, on Nova Scotia's beautiful South Shore, just down the tracks from Liverpool.

As a boy, Hank faced many difficulties and shortcomings. He had to face the trauma of his parents' divorce at just eight years old and he was forced to stay with his grandparents. He then had to deal with an abusive grandmother who forbid him to see his mother. He regularly sneaked out at night and walked the railroad tracks to Liverpool where his mother was living. Not willing to return to his grandmother, who would often beat him for visiting his mom, he would sometimes seek shelter in Liverpool's railway station, now home of the Hank Snow Country Music Centre.


Both his parents had musical talent and Hank picked up his basic guitar-playing skills from his mother. In 1926, Hank went to sea as a 12-year-old cabin boy on fishing schooners based out of Lunenburg to escape his abusive step-father and never returned to school. With his first earned income he bought his first guitar, a T. Eaton Special for $5.95. While at sea, Hank would listen to Jimmie Rodgers on the radio and began to imitate him and entertain the crew. It wasn't long before Hank had picked up his own style.


He entertained friends and neighbors and quickly developed excellent skills as a musician and entertainer at kitchen parties and neighborhood picnics.

His professional career started at CHNS Radio in Halifax in 1933 where he had his own radio show. He changed his name to "Hank, The Yodeling Ranger" because it sounded more western. Throughout the 30s and 40s he toured the Maritimes and Western Canada playing at county fairs and local radio stations."

Read more about Hank at HERE.


Hank Snow - Wreck Of The Old 97

Hank Snow - Spanish Fireball

Hank Snow - Hobo Bill's Last Ride

These You Send It files are available for seven days or until exhausted.

4 comments:

Allan Revich said...

I totally loved Hobo Bill's Last Ride. Thanks for the education!

Wastedpapiers said...

Glad you enjoyed it Allan. Thanks for dropping by!

Russell CJ Duffy said...

you are rapidly becoming the bloggers guide to boot sale musical artifacts. sort of like a down at heel John Peel.
not that you are down at heel as that sounds rather rude but, hopefully, you will know what i mean.
hank snow?
boy oh boy. an amazing discovery thank you.

Wastedpapiers said...

Glad you enjoyed it CJ. Hazel just read this over my shoulder and said "He's right- you are down at heel!" Gee thanks! I can always count on Hazel to say the right thing!

If I was rich ofcourse I wouldnt be bothered with charity shops and rooting through piles of crap at boot sales- I'd be loading up my virtual basket at some fancy online record store!