76 Years Ago, Hank Snow Was on a Long Run at No. 1 With One of the Biggest Country Hits of the Century
In 1950, Hank Snow’s “I’m Moving On” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s country charts and went on to spend 21 weeks at the top. The self-written song became one of the century’s biggest country hits and launched a run of success for Snow that continued into the next decade.
Snow first became known in Canada before moving to Nashville and signing with RCA. Producer Stephen Sholes initially resisted recording the song, but Snow returned with it in March 1950; it was released as his second single that May. It led the chart for 17 consecutive weeks from September, briefly gave way to Snow’s “The Golden Rocket”, then returned for four more weeks. Eddy Arnold had previously held the 21-week record, later matched by Webb Pierce; Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” and Sam Hunt’s “Body Like a Back Road” eventually exceeded it.
- Hank Snow’s “I’m Moving On” spent 21 weeks at No. 1.
- Snow persuaded RCA to record the song after initial resistance.
- Later country hits surpassed the chart record.
New here? Start with this
Hank Snow was a Canadian-born country singer and songwriter who built an early following in Canada before moving to Nashville, the centre of the American country music industry. He signed with RCA Records, where producer Stephen Sholes worked with him.
In the early 1950s, country chart success could help establish a singer’s career and bring songs to a much wider audience. Long stays at No. 1 were unusual, and records held by earlier hits were later matched or surpassed as country music and its audiences changed.