a m e r i c a n r o o t s m u s i c • t r a d i t i o n a l c o u n t r y • b l u e s • f o l k • a m e r i c a n a m u s i c • a m e r i c a n r o o t s
m u s i c • t r a d i t i o n a l c o u n t r y • b l u e s • f o l k • a m e r i c a n a m u s i c • a m e r i c a n r o o t s m u s i c • t r a d i t i o n
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The Hank Snow Story by Clarence Eugene Snow, Jack Ownbey, Robert Burris University of Illinois Press © 1994 This long-awaited 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. But more than a rags-to-riches memoir, this book presents Hank's life and career in his own voice, with remarkable candor and incredible detail. It reveals the inner workings of the music industry (including Hank's vital and unsung role in launching Elvis Presley's career), frankly discusses the nonglamorous side of stardom, and offers the reflections of an artist who has been professionally involved with country music for nearly sixty years. |
Born Clarence Eugene Snow on May 9, 1914 in Brooklyn, Nova Scotia, Canada, Hank Snow was 14 when he ordered his first guitar from Eaton's catalog for $5.95. He played his first show in a church basement in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia at the age of 16. He then traveled to the nearest big city, Halifax, where he sang in local clubs and bars. A successful appearance on a local radio station led to a chance to audition for RCA Records in Montreal, Quebec. In 1936, he signed with RCA, staying with them for more than forty-five years. It wasn't until the late 1940s when American country music stations began playing his records and he headed to the "Country Music Capital of the World", Nashville, Tennessee, where Hank Snow, the "Singing Ranger" would be invited to play at the Grand Ole Opry in 1950. That same year he released his mega-hit, "I'm Movin' On." The first of seven Number 1 hits on the country charts, "I'm Movin' On" stayed at Number 1 for nearly half a year. In 1954, now A regular at the Grand Ole Opry, Hank persuaded the directors to allow a new singer by the name of Elvis Presley to appear on stage. He used Elvis as his opening act, before introducing him to Colonel Tom Parker who eventually became Elvis' manager. Performing in lavish and colorful sequin-studded suits, his career covered six decades during which he sold more than 80 million albums. Although he became a proud American citizen, he still maintained his friendships in Canada and remembered his roots with the 1968 Album, "My Nova Scotia Home." In 1979, Hank Snow was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and the Nova Scotia Music Hall of Fame. Despite his lack of schooling, he was a gifted songwriter and was elected to The Songwriters Hall of Fame. In Canada, ten times he was voted that country’s top country music performer. Elvis Presley, The Rolling Stones, Ray Charles, and Emmylou Harris, amongst others, covered his music. The victim of an abusive childhood, he set up the "Hank Snow International Foundation For Prevention Of Child Abuse." In 1994 his autobiography, "Just a Hank Snow Story," was published, and later The Hank Snow Country Music Centre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia would open. Discography Related links: Content Provided by Wikipedia.
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"Since migrating from Cambridge,
Mass to Nashville some three decades ago, Mark Brine has carved out a strong
reputation as an uncompromising traditionalist on the country music scene which
has made him one of the elder statesmen of Americana."
-- Shaun Dale, Cosmik Debris Magazine
"I could listen to him sing all night long … he does a good job that boy does." -- Roy Acuff, Ernest Tubb Midnight Jamboree "A fine young man who I think has a great future." -- Hank Snow, Grand Ole Opry "Brine could easily have been added to the cast of 'O Brother, Where Art Thou' without raising an eyebrow. He belongs to that group of artists whose individuality and quirkiness consign them to the periphery of what's commercially viable. But God bless him for not just being another cog in the musical wheel." -- James McSweeney, Flyin Shoes |
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"Brine writes wonderful story songs about ordinary people
and ordinary places. To tell these stories, Mark has a voice that is
as comfortable as a favourite coat."
-- Pete Smith, Country Music Round Up "I think what makes Mark Brine such a gifted songwriter/storyteller is the fact that he seems to be such an obvious fan of many genres of music. He's someone who is like a sponge when it comes to reintegrating influences into his own work." -- Gail Worley, Ink 19 "His career has pursued the path of a truly independent artist - someone who follows his soul and does things his own way … his ability to write and produce has made his name synonymous with quality." -- Doug Floyd, AltCountryTab.com ©2006 Mark Brine Music. All rights reserved. |