Roy Clark honored to join Country Music Hall of Fame
From left, Charlie McCoy, Barbara Mandrell and Roy Clark are announced as the 2009 inductees of the Country Music Hall of Fame at a press conference hosted by the Country Music Association Wednesday at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tenn. (Photo by John Russell/CMA)
A version of this story ran in Thursday’s The Oklahoman.
Roy Clark ‘honored’ to join Country Hall of Fame
Longtime Tulsan’s career includes a Grammy and several Top 10 singles
Prominent country musician Roy Clark feels honored to be joining what he calls “a very exclusive club”: the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The Country Music Association announced Wednesday that the longtime Tulsa resident will be among the Nashville, Tenn.-based institution’s 2009 inductees, along with singer Barbara Mandrell and musician Charlie McCoy. They will be formally inducted in spring.
“You’re so busy working all the time that you never think about it,” Clark, 75, said. “I’m honored to be in the Country Music Hall of Fame because I know or knew 90 percent of the people who are in here; they’re my friends. And the rest of them I don’t know are my heroes.”
His six-decade career includes a Grammy award and several Top 10 country singles. But the talented banjo, guitar and mandolin player is probably best known for co-hosting the TV variety show “Hee Haw” with Buck Owens for more than 20 years.
“I grew up listening (to) and watching Roy Clark, and what an impact he made on a lot of people’s lives back in the day when he was on ‘Hee Haw” and he and Buck Owens were ‘picking and grinning,’” said Beth Seim, executive director of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. “What an awesome thing that he is being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame. I would say it’s long overdue.”
Clark and Oklahoma native Wanda Jackson were inducted into the state music hall of fame in 2000. Clark was the leader of Jackson’s band in the 1960s, playing on several of the singer’s recordings, including her rock hit “Let’s Have a Party.” Jackson , who lives in Oklahoma City, was selected for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last month.
Theresa Kiger, principal of Roy Clark Elementary School in the Tulsa Union district, said teachers will share the exciting news today with the student body. Last year, Clark played a benefit concert that raised $25,000 for the school’s music department; several students performed as his opening act.
“That money has been spent on after-school programs, specifically on guitar lessons and drum lessons for children. It’s also allowed us to have an after-school program that focuses on arts and drama,” she said. “Mr. Clark has been a strong supporter … and we’re so excited for him.”
-BAM
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