Organizers are calling this year’s Hank Snow Tribute a resounding success.
More than 1,600 people showed up for the annual event which returned to Queens Place after a four-year hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Over $25,000 was raised at this year’s tribute which will go directly to supporting operations at the Hank Snow Museum.
Administrator with the Friends of Hank Snow Society (and longtime QCCR announcer) Vina Moses says the organizing committee knew after a four-year break that they would need to change tactics to raise as much as they could to support the museum.
This year the group got the community to sponsor the names of performers, past and present who have appeared on the Hank Snow Tribute stage and included them in the program. That sponsorship drive, along with some government grants, allowed organizers to cover all the concert expenses, leaving the money raised at the event to go directly to the Hank Snow Museum.
Moses says the Friends of Hank Snow Society had to be creative in finding ways to cover their costs through the pandemic. She says they hit upon the idea of hosting weekly barbeques at the museum site to help keep the doors of the museum open.
“That was money that we were able to use to keep the museum going for the last few months. That’s because of those diligent people who worked so hard on the Wednesday shows and the wonderful people who came to the Wednesday shows,” said Moses. “We had folks who came every week and we really appreciate them.”
Moses says the community has come to enjoy the barbeques and the society decided they will continue.
Even though the tribute has just ended, organizers are forging ahead to provide more music.
The group is now preparing for their annual Gavin Whynot memorial event Saturday Sep 9 from noon until 6pm at the Gaven Whynot Gazebo Park. Then they’ll set their sights on another event in December to recognize the many volunteers who help keep the memory of Hank Snow and his influence alive.
To hear the full interview with Vina Moses click play below.