Tommy Hunter - Definition and Overview

Tommy Hunter (March 10, 1937-) is a Canadian country music performer, known as "Canada's Country Gentleman".

He was born Thomas James Hunter in London, Ontario in 1937.

In 1956, he began performing as a rhythm guitarist on the CBC television show, Country Hoedown. The Tommy Hunter Show began as a CBC radio program in 1960 and went on to replace Country Hoedown on CBC television in 1965; Hunter's show was picked up by TNN in 1983 and ran on CBC until 1992.

People who performed on The Tommy Hunter Show early in their careers include:

• Garth Brooks
• Shania Twain, then known as Eileen Twain
• The Judds

After his show was cancelled by the CBC, Hunter continued to tour with his band, The Travelling Men.

In 1986, Hunter was appointed to the Order of Canada. He has received three Canadian Juno Awards and one Gemini Award. In 1990, he was given a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame's "Walkway of Stars".