The Tommy Hunter Show began in 1960 It was considered a Canadian version of the Grande Ole Opry in Nashville. At its peak, the show drew in 3 million viewers, 15 percent of the Canadian population.

The show aired just about 30 years and showcased many country music artists before they became worldwide superstars.

In 1970 the show expanded from 1/2 hour to a full hour because the show was so polular.

Nearly every country music star of the day appeared on the show, including Hank Snow, Wilf Carter, Roy Rogers and many more who influenced Tommy's own music career.Stars such as Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, The Judds, Anne Murray and Gordon Lightfoot to name a few, were also guests on the show. In 1979, a 14 year- old Shaina Twain appeared as Eileen Twain at the time, appeared on the show.

In 1992 the show won a Gemini for the Best Variety Program and was nominated in the same category for 4 years. The show also earned a Best Writing Gemini nomination in 1990 and Best Performance Gemini nominations in 1990 and 1993.

In May 1992, the show was abruptly cancelled after 27 years on the air. It was the longest running country music show in North American history at the time. It was also still bringing in 800,000 viewers a week.

The cancellation deeply impacted Tommy. Following the cancellation, he continued to tour Canada with his Band, The Travelling Men.

He received the Order of Canada and 3 Junos in his career. He stopped touring in 2012.