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CLARK, Roy

(b 15 April 1933, Meherrin VA; d 15 November 2018) Country guitarist, singer, comedian. He began as a child prodigy in his father's country band; won US country music banjo championship twice '52-3. He tried out for a St Louis baseball team; took up amateur boxing in Washington DC area where he lived; played back-up guitar in various bands with Jimmy Dean, Marvin Rainwater, George Hamilton IV, Wanda Jackson (on her rock'n'roll records). Appeared on Dean's and Hamilton's TV series '57-61; recorded for Four Star, Debbie, Coral, Capitol '62-7: hits 'Tips Of My Fingers' '63, 'Through The Eyes Of A Fool' '64. LPs showcased guitar as well as vocal talents: Lightning Fingers '65, Happy To Be Unhappy '67.

He signed with Dot '68 and hit the jackpot with 'Yesterday When I Was Young': top 20 pop, top ten country. Hits with 'I Never Picked Cotton' '70, 'Thank God And Greyhound' '71, but had more success as a concert act, said to be the highest-paid country star '69-74 and named Entertainer of the Year '73 by CMA, Comedian of the Year '70-72. He played Cousin Roy on Beverly Hillbillies TV series '62-71, co-host of Hee-Haw '69-75, performed in USSR '76 and '88. More hits: 'Come And Live With Me' '73 (no. 1 country), 'Somewhere Between Love And Tomorrow' '74 (no. 2), 'Honeymoon Feeling' '74, 'Heart To Heart' '75. Albums with banjoist Buck Trent (Pair Of Fives '75), bluesman Gatemouth Brown (Makin' Music '79); also his own: The Incredible Roy Clark '71, Come Live With Me '73, Classic Clark '75, My Music And Me '77, Back To The Country '81. Joined manager Jim Halsey's record label Churchill '82 with LPs Live From Austin City Limits and Turned Loose. He moved through the Silver Dollar and Hallmark labels with minor hits; co- starred with Mel Tillis in film Uphill All The Way '86, joined Grand Ole Opry '87 and appeared regularly at Branson in his own show.

Very highly regarded as an guitarist and transcending the country category, Clark made an instrumental album with jazz guitar virtuoso Joe Pass early '94: two guitars with rhythm section: Play Hank Williams on Buster Ann Music was said to have been Pass's last recording session, and delighted jazz guitar fans.