Masataka "Hank" Sasaki was born and raised in a small village on Kyushu Island in Southern Japan. When he was 15 he heard a Hank Williams song on the radio. That voice and the feeling not only touched Hank's heart, but it changed the course of his life. His ambition was to become a country singer. Although the story is a familiar one, for Hank to follow his dream in Japan, it took a real pioneer spirit. Hank's mother bought him a guitar, and he taught himself to play. He bought the records and then listened to and repeated the words countless times.
Hank became a member of a well-known Japanese country band, "The Blue Rangers". The band performed at US military bases in the Fukuoka area. Servicemen nicknamed him "Hank" after they heard him singing some of Hank Williams songs. In 1981, Hank became the owner of the "Chuck Wagon", one of the most popular clubs in the Fukuoka area. He formed a country band in which he performed and entertained nightly. He also sang at festivals, city events, parties, and at the US Naval Base in Sasebo, Japan. During this time, Hank began writing some of his own material. It is quite a challenge to write in your "second language". Hank is the first country artist in Japan to write songs in English. In 1988, Hank sold his club and moved to Nashville, following his dream to continue singing and songwriting in the USA. An impossible dream many people told him, but that did not deter Hank from doing what he loves. Hank believes that country music communicates across national boundaries.
Hank is a member of the Country Music Association and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Hank is 'at home' when he is on stage. When you hear Hank sing you will realize that his devotion to country music is genuine. he is committed to the promotion of country music internationally and sees a vital future for country music around the world.
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Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
Masataka "Hank" Sasaki was born and raised in a small village on Kyushu Island in Southern Japan. When he was 15 he heard a Hank Williams song on the radio. That voice and the feeling not only touched Hank's heart, but it changed the course of his life. His ambition was to become a country singer. Although the story is a familiar one, for Hank to follow his dream in Japan, it took a real pioneer spirit. Hank's mother bought him a guitar, and he taught himself to play. He bought the records and then listened to and repeated the words countless times.
Hank became a member of a well-known Japanese country band, "The Blue Rangers". The band performed at US military bases in the Fukuoka area. Servicemen nicknamed him "Hank" after they heard him singing some of Hank Williams songs. In 1981, Hank became the owner of the "Chuck Wagon", one of the most popular clubs in the Fukuoka area. He formed a country band in which he performed and entertained nightly. He also sang at festivals, city events, parties, and at the US Naval Base in Sasebo, Japan. During this time, Hank began writing some of his own material. It is quite a challenge to write in your "second language". Hank is the first country artist in Japan to write songs in English. In 1988, Hank sold his club and moved to Nashville, following his dream to continue singing and songwriting in the USA. An impossible dream many people told him, but that did not deter Hank from doing what he loves. Hank believes that country music communicates across national boundaries.
Hank is a member of the Country Music Association and the Nashville Songwriters Association International. Hank is 'at home' when he is on stage. When you hear Hank sing you will realize that his devotion to country music is genuine. he is committed to the promotion of country music internationally and sees a vital future for country music around the world.
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Artist info obtained from public profile, artist website or social media
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