canada has produced a number of notable international recording artists who appeared on the "billboard" record sales chart called hit parade first published in 1936. among them was the world war ii era bandleader, guy lombardo, who with his brother has sold an estimated 250 million phonograph records during their lifetimes. over the course of his career, which began in 1944, montreal's jazz virtuoso oscar peterson released over 200 recordings, won seven grammy awards, and received many other awards and honors. oscar peterson is considered to have been one of the greatest pianists of all time. nova scotia's born and raised hank snow who signed with rca victor in 1936 and went on to become one of america's most innovative country music superstars.