Hank Penny

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Hank Penny (born September 18, 1918 as Herbert Clayton Penny in Birmingham , Alabama , † April 17, 1992 ) was an American country singer who was a successful band leader in California in the 1940s .

Live and act

Hank Penny began his musical career in New Orleans in 1936. He first worked as a soloist at a local radio station. His preference was the western swing , which became popular during these years. In 1937 he returned to his hometown of Birmingham, Alabama, where he formed the band Radio Cowboys . The first record was released in 1938, and a little later the band moved to Nashville . The Radio Cowboys disbanded in the early 1940s after several members were drafted into the military.

At the invitation of Merle Travis , Penny moved to California in 1945, where there was a lively country scene in those years, which was dominated by band leaders like Spade Cooley and Tex Ritter . After the end of the Second World War, the dance halls boomed; the carefree western swing experienced a heyday. Thanks to his friendship with Merle Travis, Penny quickly made friends. Cooley and his manager enabled him to put together his own band in 1946, the Penny Serenadas .

In addition to his regular appearances in the huge dance halls of the west coast, he made successful records. With Steel Guitar Stomp and Get Yourself A Redhead he was able to place in the top 10. From 1950 the western swing trend subsided and Penny began to focus more and more on radio appearances. In 1952 he married the singer Sue Thomson. For a short time he had his own television show. In 1954 he moved to Las Vegas , where he appeared in the Golden Nugget for seven years ; The jazz musician Arno Marsh played in his accompanying band . He returned to Nashville for some time in the early 1970s before retiring in California.

Hank Penny, who was always overshadowed by more famous colleagues like Spade Cooley or Merle Travis , died of a heart attack on April 17, 1992.

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personal data
SURNAME Penny, Hank
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Penny, Herbert Clayton (maiden name)
BRIEF DESCRIPTION American country singer
DATE OF BIRTH September 18, 1918
PLACE OF BIRTH Birmingham, Alabama
DATE OF DEATH April 17, 1992