Henk Wijngaard

Biography

Henk Wijngaard (born 13 June 1946) is a Dutch country singer.

Personal life

Henk was born in Stadskanaal on June 13, 1946.
Wijngaard's mother was a refugee from France and his father a Canadian allied soldier. When he turned 14, his mother bought him a guitar. However, lessons proved unfulfilling, so an acquaintance taught him a few chords to start playing. He was initially employed on a merchant ship, where he continued to make music. After coming ashore, he decided to become a truck driver. In 1976, he released his first single, "B'dai dai die/In m'n cabine" on Telstar Records. In 1978 he had his breakthrough hit with the self-penned song, "Met de vlam in de pijp". After this followed 20 further Dutch Top 40 hits, many on the themes of truck driving, the most famous being "Ik zie de wereld door de voorruit van mijn wagen" lit. 'I See The World From The Windshield Of My Truck'
Wijngaard is the paternal half-brother of Clarence Edwards, the father of Canadian country singer Shania Twain.
Wijngaard's "Ik zie de wereld" won the title of Best Non-English Song at the 1978 International Country Music Awards in Bristol, Tennessee.
In 2026, Henk Wijngaard celebrated 50 years of music with a concert in Nieuwleusen, during which a restored Scania truck was presented.