Hank Snow tribute coming to the Astor

Country music has strong roots in Queens County. This can be attributed to one of its most famous sons, Hank Snow, and the effect his life had on county music. On November 8, Ships Company Productions brings to the stage of the Astor a tribute to Hank featuring some of the best musicians in Nova Scotia.

Canada's greatest contribution to country music, Hank Snow was famous for his "traveling" songs. It's no wonder. At age 12 he ran away from his Nova Scotia home and joined the Merchant Marines, working as a cabin boy and laborer for four years.

Once back on shore, he listened to Jimmie Rodgers records and started playing in public, building up a following in Halifax. His original nickname, the Yodeling Ranger, was modified to the Singing Ranger when his high voice changed to the great baritone that graced his hit records. In 1950, the year he became an Opry regular, his self-penned "I'm Moving On" (the first of his many great traveling songs) became a smash hit, reaching number one and remaining there for 21 weeks. "Golden Rocket" (also 1950) and "I've Been Everywhere" (1962), two other hits, show his lifelong love for trains and travel.

But he was as much at home with two other styles, the ballad and the rhumba/boogie. Among his many great ballads are "Bluebird Island" (with Anita Carter of the Carter Family), "Fool Such as I," and "Hello, Love," a hit when Snow was 60 years old. Snow appeared regularly on the Opry into the '90s, proving that his incredible voice suffered no loss of quality over the last half-century, as well as what a tasteful, understated guitar stylist he is. With small stature and huge voice, Snow was a country traditionalist who gave much more to the business than he took.

On November 8, the musical team of Greg Simm, Gordon Stobbe, Stephen Osler, Mike Farrington Sr. and Michael Swinimer, with Andrew Cull as the incomparable Hank Snow take to the stage and let us see what an evening at a Hank Snow show would have been like.

With costumes faithfully recreated by Jennifer Coe, this evening of country music is a must see for any Hank Snow fan. Touching on all the hits that made him famous, this group has been playing to great reviews all over Nova Scotia and [roving what Liverpool has known all along…the music of Hank Snow is still as popular know as it was 50 years ago.

Don’t miss this great event when it takes the Astor stage on November 8 at