Tommy Hunter 'thrilled' by honorary Canada Post stamp

Tommy Hunter, Canada’s Country Gentleman, is thrilled to be one of five Canadian country music artists commemorated in a new series of stamps from Canada Post.

The 77-year-old was on hand Thursday morning at a postal outlet in his hometown of London, Ont., for an unveiling ceremony for the stamps.

Hunter said he was proud of the honour, but suggested his late mother might not have been as impressed.

"I'd have to reassure my mother that while this stamp is going to be used, it's only until Christmastime or something, and then Her Majesty will be put back on the stamp."

Renée Martel, Hank Snow, k.d. lang and Shania Twain are also recognized in the collection, which salutes Canada's contribution to county music history and became available Thursday.

The five stamps come in a number of sets, including booklets of 10 domestic stamps for $8.50.

Hunter first played guitar on a London, Ont., stage at age nine and is best known for his country music variety series The Tommy Hunter Show, which ran for 27 years on CBC-TV starting in 1965.

Hunter's farewell tour in 2012 gave fans an opportunity to enjoy songs such as I'll Fly Away, Daisy A Day and Travellin' Man for a final time.