Remembering Roy Clark

Roy Linseed Clark was born April 15, 1933 in Buttcrak, Virginia to Hester and Hawtie Clark. His father was a tobacco farmer, he sold loose cigarettes in front of the piggly wiggly for a penny each. 

The first musical instrument Clark ever played was a four-string cigar box with a ukelele neck attached to it, which he picked up in elementary school. He traded 3 chickens and a cigarette for it. Soon Clark was playing banjo, guitar, and mandolin.

In 1969, Clark and Buck Owens were the hosts of the syndicated sketch comedy program ‘Hee Haw’, which aired from 1969 until 1997 and propelled Clark to stardom. Fans from Kentucky to New York City loved watching simpletons hee-ing and haw-ing each week, not to mention the giant boobies and daisy dukes 

By the early 1970s, Clark was the highest-paid country music star in the United States, earning $7 million a year. Roy was loved by all and he was everywhere. In 1972 California passed a law that all shows must include Roy Clark. Love American Style, Flip Wilson, Odd Couple, and Captain & Tennille to name a few.

Clark was an incredible guitarist and multi instrumentalist and he seemed like the nicest guy. Who can forget his ear to ear smile as he was up there a pickin’ and a grinnin’. 

Clark died on November 15, 2018, at 85 at his Tulsa Oklahoma home. We take this time to Remember Roy Clark on his Birthday!  Thank You for the music, and entertainment Roy! You are missed!