The Hank Snow Story: The Singing Ranger

Recounts the author's childhood in Nova Scotia, his efforts to succeed as a musician in Canada and the United States, his role in Elvis Presley's career, and other events

It was a long, hard climb indeed for Snow, who, admiring Gene Autry, even tried his hand as a singing cowboy with an acrobatic horse. After countless appearances in Canadian music halls and on small-town radio stations, he got his first really big break--when Ernest Tubb put him on the Opry in 1950. Snow seemed not to go over, but shortly afterward recorded his own song, "I'm Movin' On," which topped the charts. Snow was a big star for the next two decades with his sentimental ballads, train songs, and "tales" of the Yukon. When one considers how much material Snow must capture here, his story is forgivably discursive; he recalls his brutal, impoverished childhood in Nova Scotia and innumerable personalities, and he weighs in on the big issues facing his industry, such as the slick top-forty system that keeps new talent from emerging. In at least one instance, Snow covers new territory: his friendship and business dealings with Elvis. One of the King's first gigs was to close for Snow, and Snow got Elvis on the Opry. He claims with considerable documentation that both he and Elvis were bamboozled by Tom ("Colonel") Parker, "the most egotistical, obnoxious human I have ever had dealings with." An essential purchase for country-and-western collections, even though Hank Snow recordings are hard to find. John Mort

Even those familiar with Snow's all-time hit "I'm Movin' On" may not realize that his early Canadian life was full of dreadful emotional and physical abuse. As a way of getting away, Snow joined up with a fishing schooner at the age of 12. He had become interested in music playing his mother's mail-order guitar and soon purchased one for himself. After listening to Jimmie Rodgers records, Snow decided to pursue music as a career. His first big break was landing a radio show, and Snow began entertaining throughout Canada. Eventually, he entered the United States and realized a popularity that spun him toward world attention. Of particular interest is a chapter covering his association with Elvis Presley; it was Snow who helped get Presley signed on at his agency and secured an RCA Victor recording contract for the King. For a time, Presley served as Snow's warmup act. An engrossing story; recommended for collections that emphasize country music.
Kathleen Sparkman, Baylor Univ., Waco, Tex.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.