Hank the Drifter

b. Daniel Ray Andrade, 2 September 1929, Taunton, Massachusetts, USA. After learning to play guitar as a youth, he sang with a local group. Their successes in local talent competitions led to Andrade being given a 15-minute show on WPEP Taunton, as the Drifting Cowboy. He proved popular and soon gained sponsorship byThe New Bedford Times for a weekly show on WNBH. He eventually relocated to Texas where, as Hank The Drifter (the name came from his adulation of Hank Williams and his music), he appeared on the Cowtown Jamboree in Fort Worth, Corns A Poppin’ in Houston andBig D Jamboree in Dallas. His idolization of Williams was evident in his songs and led to him writing tributes such as ‘Hank Williams Is Singing Again’ and ‘Hank Williams’ Ghost’. He continued to perform at festivals, fairs, rodeos and numerous other venues into the 80s, his appearances ranging from Texas to the New England states and many others in between. He recorded for the New England label in Houston but some recordings have also been issued by the Canadian, Spartan and Quality companies. In 1980, Cattle of Germany released an album of his New England recordings, which contained 12 self-penned songs, including the two tributes listed earlier.