From: "Dik de Heer" Date: Thu May 9, 2002 2:21 am Subject: Born To Be With You : Hank Snow HANK SNOW (By Shaun Mather) Born Clarence Eugene Snow, 9 May 1914, Liverpool, Nova Scotia, Canada Died 20 December 1999, Nashville, Tennessee Hank Snow is one of the biggest stars in country music history, whose vast catalogue shows a variety of styles all within the umbrella of country, from hillbilly boogie to cowboy songs to Hawaiian music. He suffered terrible abuse from his stepfather and ran away aged twelve to become a fisherman. When he returned four years later he began playing music seriously, heavily influenced by Jimmie Rodgers. He recorded for RCA Canada for years and constantly fought with the label to let him record for their bigger American branch. Once he'd made a name for himself on the Big D Jamboree and the Grand Ole Opry (thanks to Ernest Tubb) they figured he was big enough a name to join big brother. His debut, Marriage Vow, at the tail end of '49 was a minor hit, but the following summer, I'm Movin' On went to number one and spent 21 weeks perched on top. Other standout hits during the '50s included The Golden Rocket, Rhumba Boogie, I Don't Hurt Anymore and A Fool Such As I. Around 1949 he formed a partnership with Colonel Tom Parker and they both worked at bringing a young Elvis Presley into the public eye, before the ever delightful Parker signed the youngster and left Snow back in Nashville, cut out of the deal. The early '60s saw Snow score with the likes of Miller's Cave, Beggar to A King, I've Been Everywhere and the great cheating song, Ninety Miles An Hour (Down A Dead End Street). His last number one came in 1974 with Hello Love, although he remained a popular attraction on the Opry until his death. With a mixture of great songs, lovely baritone and exquisite pronunciation, his work sounds as vibrant today as it did half a century ago. The best thing to come out of Canada by a long shot, young Shania Twain ain't fit to tune his guitar. His banjo string - now that's another matter! Recommended listening: Anything by Bear Family but particularly the 4CD set - The Singing Ranger: 1949-1953. The Essential Hank Snow - RCA/BMG Book: Hank Snow with Jack Ownbey and Bob Burris, The Hank Snow story. Urbana, IL : University of Illinois Press, 1994. Official website: http://www.hanksnow.com