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.