Book Review - Five Stars
I'm Movin' On: The Life and Legacy of Hank Snow by Vernon Oickle
Hank Snow emblazoned his mark in American and Canadian history and left a legend that lives on.
Beginning in the 1940s, the music talents of Hank Snow took off scratching his way up from the most humble of poverty coupled by child abuse. He persistently and relentlessly remained focused on overcoming his past.
In the 1950s Hank saw his entertainment career climb to success like his golden rocket.
A half century of world wide top of the charts entertainment was achieved with the unrelenting support of his one and only loving wife.
To escape child abuse, at thirteen years of age young Hank went to sea on a Nova Scotia sailing schooner beginning with no pay...only room and board. This was in the depths of the great depression. He felt fortunate to have food and a bed.
On his fourth season on the schooner on the Grand Banks with gale force winds, he was frightened for his life and made the decision to take his chances ashore. This turning point marked his dedicated and determined entrance into a musical career scratching his way out of poverty. The rest is his story in this great book.
EXCERPTS:
Although their marriage got off to a rocky start because of Minnie’s parents’ dissension, Hank and Minnie’s bond would last a lifetime.
Their union survived difficult years of financial struggle, sometimes even destitution, as well as issues with Hank’s drinking, extended separations while Hank pursued his dreams, and the demands that came with international stardom. Hank always said that he and Minnie were just meant to be together and that their love was strong enough to overcome any challenge that got in their way.
Hank often described this “special lady” as his inspiration and his strength. Referring to Minnie as his partner in life, he was also always quick to point out that she deserved a great deal of credit for his accomplishments throughout the years, as she often encouraged him to keep going or to take a risk when things got difficult.
With Landry’s prodding, on April 9, 1935, Hank wrote a letter to A. H. Joseph, manager of the Repertoire and Recording Department for RCA Victorin Montreal. On April 18, Hank received a response, basically a rejection letter. But, like before, he chose to see the response as positive and would not accept “no” for an answer. It may have been his earlier struggles with poverty that gave him his drive, determination, and fighting spirit, Hank later said that when he had first heard the records, he hated how they sounded so tinny and hollow, but Joseph had clearly heard something in the recordings that
Hank couldn’t, because he also sent along the first royalty check of Hank’s career, in the amount of $1.96.
Hank wasn’t opposed to recording songs written by others, many of which went on to become huge Hank Snow hits; most notable of those were compositions such as “(Now And Then There’s) A Fool Such As I,” written by Bill Trader and recorded by Hank in 1952; “I Don’t Hurt Anymore,” written by Don Robertson and Jack Rollins, and recorded by Hank in 1954; and “I’ve Been Everywhere,” written by Geoff Mack and recorded by Hank in 1962.
Review by John M. Grimsrud
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