My Life: In Spite of Myself!

Country music legend Roy Clark gives a backstage tour of his life and the struggles and delights of his career, introducing the many people who have influenced, helped, and hindered him

Roy Clark, the genial multi-instrumentalist and longtime host of TV's Hee Haw, tells the story of his rags-to-riches climb to stardom. Born in a small Virginia town, Clark grew up in Washington, D.C. His father, a laborer who moonlighted as a semi-pro guitarist, encouraged young Roy's playing and brought him along to weekend square dances as soon as he'd learned a few chords. Soon the boy was playing guitar several nights a week, and his school work suffered accordingly; eventually he dropped out to become a full-time musician. The next few years were a string of appearances with bands playing a variety of musical styles at bars, at dances, and on local radio and TV. Not quite confident of his own ability as a guitarist, Clark added a line of comic patter to his act as a way to cover up his feeling of inadequacy. His craftsmanship, versatility, and ability to make an audience laugh earned him sideman spots with better-known country stars like Jimmy Dean and Wanda Jackson. Finally, all the scuffling paid off in hit records (notably ``Yesterday When I Was Young), Tonight Show appearances, a star spot on Hee Haw, and getting his own theater in Branson, Missouri. Clark's story is heartening, if a bit humdrum--the performer comes across as salt of the earth, a man one would welcome as a neighbor, the farthest thing imaginable from headline material. For juicy gossip and inside dirt, one can look elsewhere. A reader is left feeling that one of the good guys has found success, but with little insight into what, beyond talent and hard work, might have raised him to the top. (B&w photos--32 pages--not seen) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

This book is genial, good fun, and just what one would expect from Clark. His story is one of rags to riches, although he prefers not to dwell on the poverty of his young years but to highlight the spiritual wealth of his family relationships, his music, and the patchwork of unique opportunities that led to stardom. Noted as host for the CBS television show Hee-Haw , Clark offers amusing anecdotes about the show's colorful characters. Many names from country music and television also weave through his clever recollections. Clark also treats readers to glimpses of his hobbies, investments, and major ventures (such as his ownership of a show palace in Branson, Missouri). Clark does not dwell on his negative experiences but touches upon them philosophically and moves on to more positive times. This is entertaining reading by an entertaining performer. For popular collections.
- Carol J. Binkowski, Bloomfield, N.J.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.