Hank Fisher (born 1954), more commonly known as Washboard Hank, is a Canadian musician, songwriter"Washboard Hank gets warm welcome". Belleville News, October 23, 2014. By Richard Turtle "Local musicians in HNIC Song Quest top 100". Petrborough Examiner, December 7, 2013 and stage performer. He was born in Peterborough, Ontario in 1954. He plays a number of instruments, including banjo,"Family's New Year's Day Levee tradition kept alive". Jessica Nyznik, The Peterborough Examiner. January 1, 2016 guitar"Tunes from the porch as Artsweek continues with Porchapalooza". By Clifford Skarstedt, Peterborough Examiner, September 24, 2015 and percussion. He is known for his unusual performances with self-created instruments."Fred Eaglesmith Continental Club, October 9". Austin Chronicle, reviewed by Jerry Renshaw, October 22, 1999 In 2016 he performed with his band, the Wringers.
Fisher is a regular performer at children's events, including the Peterborough Folk Festival. He creates and plays improvised instruments,"Washboard Hank: good messages inside goofy songs". Nunatsiaq, July 2, 2012. David Murphy." Washboard Hank visits local school". Peterborough This Week. Dec 21, 2007 including his "signature" washboard. and kitchen sink tuba. He sings humorous traditional tunes such as "It Ain't Gonna Rain No More""Playlist: Keri Latimer's Mother's Day song picks offer a soundtrack for family fun". CBC Manitoba, by Keri Latimer May 10, 2013 as well as his own compositions.
Career
In the 1980s, Fisher performed with Reverend Ken (Ramsden) and the Lost Followers; after Ramsden left, the group became Washboard Hank and the Honkers. In 1989 Fisher began co-hosting a show, "The Country Cousins" on Peterborough's Trent Radio. The show was aired for more than 20 years."Trent Radio Historian Knows More Than Just History". The Arthur, Anthony P. Gulston, January 21, 2013
In the 1990s, he performed for four years as a percussionist with Fred Eaglesmith and the Flying Squirrels,"Sheldon Jaaskelainen gives worst performance of his life". Soo Today, July 17, 2009. Donna Hopper recording on his album 50-Odd Dollars.
In 2001, Fisher provided the music for an agitprop play, Where's the Care?, created by the group Ground Zero to protest cutbacks in healthcare services in Ontario. He also performed a lead role in the independent short film, Rigoletto... in Bluegrass in 2006.
He has toured with the Country Squires,"Washboard Hank cleans up at Towne House". Northern Life Sudbury, June 21, 2012 and he also fronted his own band, the Gravestone Lickers.
Fisher performed on an Adventure Canada cruise ship to Greenland."Travel: Greenland cruise like no other". The Sunday Herald, He also played locally with Catfish Willie and the Buckle Busters."Catfish Willie entertained at Legion Valentine party". Lakefield Herald, by Anita Locke
In 2012, Fisher performed at the Alianait Arts Festival in Iqaluit, Nunavut."Canada Day hits a high note for area musicians". Nanton News, Sheena Read. July 18, 2012
Discography
Donkeys and Tire Fires (1990) Hooray for Washboard Hank (A Major Label, 2003) As Washboard Hank And The Country Squires"!earshot charts -top 200". !earshot, April 2003 Big Fun For Kids (2007) Sweet Mysteries Of Life (2008) Human Beans (2016)"Canadian Spaces". CKCU Radio, August 6, 2016, with Chris White
References