Popular Culture Review Vol. 13, No. 1, January 2002 | Page 148

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Popular Culture Review

idol and mentor, Bill Monroe, the father of Bluegrass music. Snow also honored
those who inspired him, notably Rodgers, and he did his part in mentoring other
young musicisians. He brought both foreign singers and traditional country artists
like western swing bandleaders Spade Cooley and T. Texas Tyler to the Opry (Snow,
1994, pp. 397-407).
As mentioned previously. Snow was also an early friend and influence on
Elvis Presley, taking the then-unknown singer on tour with him and promoting him
to R.C.A. as a future star. At the time. Snow was a partner of manager Tom Parker,
and in his autobiography he recounts how he aided Presley only to learn that Parker
went behind his back and signed him to an exclusive contract without either of the
two singers knowing it. (Despite this. Snow and Presley remained friends and
musically linked.) The King of Rock and Roll recorded several Snow songs, including
‘T’m Movin’ On,” and ‘‘A Fool Such As I” (Snow, 1994, pp.380-391).
When Hank Snow died on December 20, 1999, his friends and admirers
recalled a tough, funny, dedicated friend and professional. At his funeral at the
Grand Ole Opry, Snow’s son Jimmie Rodgers Snow presided. A younger artist,
Marty Stuart, performed beside a train lantern that had belonged to Jimmie Rodgers.
Rodgers’ widow had given it to Hank Snow, who, in turn, had left it for Stuart
(Slotek, 1999; Cantin, 1999; Van Wyk, 1999). Country music represents a link
from generation to generation, with old songs made new, old themes evolving to fit
the times yet retaining much of their old resonance, and old instruments still used
amidst the din of synthesizers. Snow remained true to his own roots, and rooted,
while showing that change was possible and certain old verities were well worth
keeping. Few in American music have better reflected thei themes of change and
mobility. Clarence Eugene “Hank” Snow stayed country, but he always kept “Movin’
On.”
But someday baby
When you’ve had your play
You’re gonna want your daddy
But Your daddy will say
Keep movin’ on
You’ve stayed away too long
I’m through with you
Too bad you’re blue
Keep movin’ on^
Community College of Southern Nevada
University of Nevada, Las Vegas

Michael Green
William N. Thompson