January 20. 2000
Roy Clark to play at the Ritz
By Christine Brucker
Staff Writer
A cornerstone of bluegrass and country music will appear at 4 and 8 p.m Feb. 4 at the Ritz Theatre.
Roy Clark, who has entertained millions with his music and appearances on the syndicated television show Hee Haw, will be pickin' and grinnin' for area residents.
His love of music began at an early age. Clark grew up, not in the rural countryside, but in Washington, D.C. His father played in square dance bands and took young Roy to performances of the National Symphony and various military bands.
Clark received his first guitar at the age of 14. By the time he was 15, he was playing with his father's band.
The diverse musical environment of Washington offered Clark opportunities to play all sorts of music, including jazz and early rock 'n' roll. His first love was country and Clark toured with Hank Williams and Grandpa Jones.
Clark's big break came in 1960 when the 27-year-old was offered a chance to open for Wanda Jackson at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. That appearance led to a national tour of his own. Clark spent 345 nights on the road and returned to Las Vegas in 1962 as a headliner with a record deal.
"The Lightning Fingers of Roy Clark" would be the first of many albums.
Not only did Clark tour extensively in the 1960s, he also made numerous television appearances.
In 1969, he starred with Buck Owens in the CBS series "Hee Haw." CBS canceled the series after two years, but it remained in syndication until 1992.
"'Hee Haw' hit three generations of folks, grandparents, parents and kids," Clark said in a recent interview. "Now the kids have kids of their own and are telling them about the show."
Clark says his audience is getting younger and younger.
"I'd say in the past three to five years I've noticed a lot more children, say 10 or 11 years old, come with their families," he said. "They ask for autographs and want their pictures taken."
Clark has not stopped performing or making records. In 1983, he opened the Roy Clark Celebrity Theater in Branson, Mo. He continues to tour as well.
"I never really quit the road," he said. "I was doing an interview some years back and I said I was going to slow up a bit. Well, people took it as I was going to quit. I got a lot of folks calling and I wound up working twice as hard as before."
Clark said he does about 200 shows a year.
While on the road, Clark has been recording new material. His latest release, "Roy Clark Sings & Plays Gospel Greats," has been nominated for a Grammy award.
"Just when you think things are going to slow up, the accolades start coming again," he joked.
The accolades have never really stopped for Clark. He has received awards from the Country Music Association, the Academy of Country Music and a Grammy Award for Best Country Instrumental Performance.
Clark, in his own quiet, unassuming style, has been a groundbreaker in many areas. He was the first country artist to headline at the Montreux International Jazz Festival, guest host the Tonight Show, and play at Madison Square Garden.
When questioned about his success, Clark has a simple philosophy: Enjoy yourself.
If you try to please the audience, you may miss," he said. "If you enjoy yourself, the audience will enjoy themselves too."
Clark will bring his varied musical background to the stage playing not only bluegrass, Western swing and modern country but some Russian folk music as well.
"All those influences are still there," he said of his early musical background, "in my mind, and body. I can hear or write something now and see where I got the idea 30 years ago."
Don't look for Clark to slow up anytime soon. He is gathering material for a new album and is on the road.
"Someday I will retire," he said, "but when you have great audiences, why would you?"
Tickets are still available for both shows at the Ritz box office. For more information, contact the box office at 448-8544.