When I was a kid, I just knew him from Hee Haw, which my parents watched, and so we watched it too. He seemed like a nice and friendly man. His personality was huge and it translated to me, even though I was just a kid. His laugh seemed real. He was a grownup but he was playful in a way I related to. I had no idea what he was famous for. Later, I would learn.
The man was a virtuoso guitarist.
Member when he showed up on The Odd Couple?
Beautiful voice, too. Here he is on the Ed Sullivan Show.
Here, he goes from guitar to banjo to fiddle. It’s insane.
This duet with Clarence Brown is awe-inspiring. Clips like this are like blood to a vampire for me: duets between maestros, artistic appreciation between two giants.
Thank you for introducing him to me, he wasn’t in my life… till now. That last video, it’s real gem! I love those cowboys from the 50s, 60s and 70s, after I first heard Bob Wills and his Texas Playboys a few years ago. Those guys are just great and I’m sure it would be fun to be with. Now all that is reflected in Willie Nelson, in my opinion.
I just read an news article on Jim Jones cult, I know you’re interersted in that. It’s made by th e BBC:
Jonestown: Rebuilding my life after surviving the massacre
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46241372
Clary – yes, Roy Clark was truly a wonder. Very happy to introduce you to him!
Jim Jones is everywhere right now, due to the anniversary – just listened to a thing on NPR about it with an author who’s come out with a new book about it. It’s such a grim story.
My dad loved Roy Clark–I think that was one of the main reasons that Hee Haw was often on at my house. He’d tell me, “Watch his fingers! That boy can pick!”