Posted on 11/19/2014 3:46:16 AM PST by 2ndDivisionVet
It’s been some time since Roy Clark could bound out onto a stage like a puppy just turned loose, brandishing an electric guitar and a joyous smile, ready to captivate a crowd with his personality and talent.
Friday night, it took him a number of slow and careful steps, and the assistance of a cane and a couple of colleagues, to make his way to a chair on the small stage of Tulsa’s Spotlight Theater.
Once he settled himself, Clark said, “I have to be careful I don’t...,” and he gave audience a comically knowing look, “...make an entrance. Which I’ve done.”
And which proved that the antic wit that has always been one of Clark’s hallmarks is more than intact.
The event Friday was called “A Conversation with Roy Clark,” which impresario Jim Halsey, who has worked with Clark for decades, described as the trial run of what could be a new show, one that focused on the stories of Clark’s long, colorful and successful career as a musician and TV personality.
Halsey said the evening was going to be very informal.
“We do something like this once a week at the office, where we sit around, tell stories,” he said. “Now, we’re going to see how you like it.”
The crowd, which included Halsey clients ranging from country fiddler Jana Jae to the vocal duo Alaska and Madi as well as such Tulsa music scene veterans as Rocky Frisco and Leon Rollerson, seemed to like the evening quite a bit, laughing at most of the stories, and peppering Clark with questions of their own....
(Excerpt) Read more at tulsaworld.com ...
Thanks for posting this. I saw Roy Clark perform here in 1998. The man is nothing but class. He made sure that every member of the band had his/her own showpiece while he strummed in the background.
He was in the pocket all night. He really gave it his all and did everything he could to entertain. His playing was off the charts and, although he could have just phoned it in, he reached and played some challenging pieces.
It was as good a show as I have ever seen.
One of the best ever!
I thought Roy Clark,Hee Haw?
Great show,was amazed at how talented he is.
“Yesterday When I Was Young” is one of the BEST story songs ever made.
He’s a pickin and a grinnin
great entertainer & picker - I’ve also grown fond of Buck Owens work as well....though Clark is clearly a superior picker in a class with Chet Atkins and Merle Travis - classic Country stuff - I love it
Thank you for posting.
I saw Roy Clark live at the Grand Ole Opry in 1998. My boss had tickets for the Opry. I really was not interested, as my musical taste tends more to actual opera. The Opry was a parade of has-beens who’d lost their voices until Roy Clark came out and did a 15 minute show. He did ‘Thank God and Greyhound You’re Gone’ and sounded as good as ever.
Roy Clark and Glen Campbell are two of the most talented musicians to ever play an instrument. The world parenthetically dismisses them because they are perceived as ‘Country AND Western’ artists, rather than the mega-talents they actually are/were. My own tastes run more to classical and rock, but both of those guys could hold their own in any company and really light up the hall.
One of my all time favorite personalities, Roy Clark’s Book, My life in spite of myself” http://www.thriftbooks.com/w/my-life-in-spite-of-myself_marc-eliot_roy-clark/468206/?isbn=0671526863&mkwid=k8gyplKx|dc&pcrid=56780185032&gclid=CLCvlJDjhsICFePtMgodCisAHQ recently caught my eye, and boy, was I glad. It takes him from a small boy in Virginia to the heights of show business.
Another one that might surprise you is Jerry Reed. Reed was easily on par with Chet Atkins picking guitar. They played together frequently way back when.
The dude can play - still play, that is, according to those who've seen him lately.
It's a little-known fact that Glen used to do some of the "heavy lifting" guitar parts for the Beach Boys. Listen to the opening of "California Girls"
Saw both Roy and Glen in Branson in 2004. Also Andy Williams. They were all terrific. Great show by Jim Stafford too.
It’s a little-known fact that Glen used to do some of the “heavy lifting” guitar parts for the Beach Boys
...
Session musicians pretty much did all the lifting for the Beach Boys, and I believe Campbell toured with them for awhile, too.
One thing that surprised me about Owens is he worked out of California, rather than Nashville.
Opened for Roy once. Nice guy! Not enough people know what a tremendous guitar player he is. The first time I saw him perform was on Hullabaloo or something. Long time ago. He came on and played “Wildwood Flower” with the most hilarious mistakes and clams. I laughed my teenage butt off! While waiting to open for him, I reminded him of that performance, and we both laughed our butts off!
I saw him as well - and always loved his style, especially his banjoe.
He had won the National Banjo Championships twice by the age of 15.
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