The Hank Snow Story (Music in American Life)
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.