Yukon singer Hank Karr to be celebrated in new book

Maybe one daythey'll be singing songs about Hank Karr. When they do, they'll have a great book for inspiration.

The Yukon singer has by now become almost as beloved anemblem of the Yukon as the things he's written and sung about over the decades thepaddlewheelers, the mountain vistas, the remnants of the Klondike gold rush.

That's why Yukoner Mike Craigendecided to collect stories and photos of Karr's50-plus year career.

"He's made thousands of us here in Yukon happy," said Craigen. "Ilike to think of the thousands of people that follow Hank around the territory here as 'Hankheads'" a reference to the so-called"Fredheads,"die-hard fans of singer Fred Eaglesmith.

"I really want to encourage those 'Hankheads' out there to get on board, and really help us out with submitting as much material as they can get their hands on."

40 years of fandom

Craigen'sown memories ofKarrgo back 40 years, to the very day Craigenmoved to the Yukon. Hechecked in tothe Whitehorse Inn, and that nightwatchedKarr and his band playthe bar downstairs.

A Hankhead was born.

Since then, the two menhave become friends and Craigen has enlisted Karr to help put hisbook together "I said, 'Hank, let's get together and make it happen.'"

Karrwas at first bemused by the whole idea.

"I was kind of shocked, a little bit," hesaid."When Mike explained what he wanted to do and what he thought, I thought, 'Well bygolly, maybe there are some folks out there who want to know about Hank Karr's career.'"

The two are asking anybody with stories or pictures to share to get in touch with them, or to bring their material to theMacBride Museum in Whitehorse.

They hope to have the book ready by falland there will likely be a concert to celebrate its release, Karr said.

"All you Hankheads out there get busy," Craigensaid.