Roy Clark, 74, has slowed down a bit these days, but he?s still making a splash during the holiday season.
The entertainer, who became a household name as the “pickin? and grinnin? ” partner of thelate Buck Owens on the TV show “Hee Haw,” said a hip replacement made him reevaluate his life and priorities.
“For years, I was out on the road for 200 days a year. You get caught up in it,” he said. “You don?t stop to justify and think what you are doing, so you give up a lot of personal things.”
A look back at Clark?s former schedule makes you understand just how busy he was in a world that wasn?t nearly as high-tech as it is today.
“In the ?70s, Roy Clark symbolized country music in the U.S. and abroad. Between guest-hosting for Johnny Carson on ?The Tonight Show? and performing to packed houses in the Soviet Union on a tour that sold out all 18 concerts, he used his musical talent and his entertaining personality to bring country music into homes across the world,” wrote a critic for CMT.
Although Clark has trimmed his schedule, he?s still plenty busy playing concerts and reportedly appearing in a movie, as yet untitled, with another country music legend, Mel Tillis. Clark?s concerts here are a homecoming of sorts. He grew up in the Baltimore region as his dad, whom he calls his first and only music teacher, pursued a career in the U.S. Navy.
“He played guitar and banjo. He would show me what I couldn?t catch [on my own],” said Clark of his father who played in regional bands. “It was such great training watching my dad and other musicians play. That training you couldn?t buy.”
Clark joined his father?s band and soon moved into the big leagues, playing with country legends including Hank Williams and performing his own hits at the Grand Ole Opry (“Yesterday When I was Young,” “Thank God and Greyhound.”
“This year is my 60th year of playing music, so it?s real special for me,” said Clark. “It?s just amazing it has lasted this long.”
IF YOU GO
Roy Clark
VENUE: Rams Head on Stage, 33 West St., Annapolis
WHEN: 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. (two shows) Sunday
TICKETS: $45
INFO: 410-268-4545
