Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow
Clarence Eugene "Hank" Snow
Doctor of Letters
This native of Queens County has had a country music career spanning seven decades and several countries. He began his singing career on Halifax radio station CHNS in 1933. After much struggling and risk-taking, he signed a record deal with RCA Victor in Montreal. That contract lasted for 46 years and is, in fact, the longest continuous recording contract in the history of the music business. In 1950, his song I'm Moving On, topped the charts for 29 consecutive weeks and remained on the charts for 14 months. The song still holds the record for length of time at the number one chart position.
Mr. Snow joined Nashville's Grand Ole Opry in 1950. His recordings and performances have enjoyed international success in countries such as England, Germany, Japan, Korea, and Norway.
Mr. Snow has received many honours from his fans. He has been elected to seven different Halls of Fame including the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Perhaps the biggest honour came in 1991 when the Friends of the Hank Snow Society began work on the Hank Snow Home Town Museum and Country Music Centre in Liverpool, Nova Scotia.
Each summer, the Society holds a Hank Snow Tribute at the Queens County Fair Grounds. The festival attracts fans from all over Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, New York, and Massachusetts. Local musicians entertain the crowds with renditions of Hank Now's songs.
Through the years, Mr. Snow's music has brought enjoyment to many people; and his work, such as the album entitled, My Nova Scotia Home, has brought pride to residents of his home province.
Mr. Snow's work extends beyond music. In 1978, he set up the Hank Snow International Foundation for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect. His work with the Foundation was recognized by the National Council of Juvenile Judges.
In 1991, The Honourable Terence Donohoe, then Minister of Tourism and Culture, wrote, I don't think there is any question that in Hank Snow this province has produced a native son who has made a greater impact in the International country music genre than any other Canadian in history.