Real name: Heinz Schmidt

Canadian rockabilly/country music singer, songwriter, guitarist and bassist. Originally from Germany, emigrated to Edmonton, Alberta in 1957. In 1958 Formed The Rock-A-Tunes and Rock-A-Tune Records in Edmonton in 1958 with Butch McGillis. When the rest of the Rock-A-Tunes left in 1962 to be the touring band for The Fendermen, Smith formed The Maddisons. Soon changed to country and bluegrass, forming the band Wild Rose Country. Founding president of the Academy of Country Music Entertainment, the organization which preceded the Canadian Country Music Association. Inducted into the CCMA Hall of Fame in 1994. In 2004 the CCMA created The Hank Smith Award of Excellence in his honour.

b. September 15, 1934 - Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Bavaria
d. October 19, 2002 - Edmonton, Alberta