Grand Ole Opry Member Spotlight: Roy Clark

Grand Ole Opry Country Music Show - Nashville

Dierks Bentley - The Opry's Youngest Member

Known as the former co-host of television's Hee Haw and guitar extraordinaire, it's no surprise that Roy Clark is a member of the Grand Ole Opry. With his guitar pickin' skills and his knack for comedy, Roy's stage presence at the Opry can be described as nothing less than incredible. His remarkable talent on the strings and cheerful disposition has gotten him not only fame but the love of country music fans around the world as well.

Background and Early Career

• Roy's career as an artist took off when he was invited to open for Wanda Jackson at age 27. Upon receiving this invitation, Roy was also offered to lead his own tour—a 365-night tour—and go to Las Vegas as a headliner.
• During the 1960s, Roy was invited to play on variety shows such as The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, The Flip Wilson Show, and The Mike Douglas Show.

Awards and Recognition

• Entertainer of the Year (Twice) — Academy of Country Music
• Lead Guitar Player of the Year — Academy of Country Music
• Comedy Act of the Year (Thrice) — Academy of Country Music
• Instrumentalist of the Year (Thrice) — Country Music Association
• Picker of the Year (Four times) — Playboy Magazine Reader's Poll
• Featured in the Las Vegas Entertainers Hall of Fame
• Featured in the Oklahoma Hall of Fame
• Featured in Gibson Guitar Hall of Fame
• Star in Hollywood's Walk of Fame

Grand Ole Opry Induction

• Though Roy did not become an Opry member until 1987, he had been no stranger to the Opry's magnificent stage. He had played at the Opry at age 17 in 1950 after winning a national banjo competition.

Roy Clark at the Opry

• Roy's been putting audiences in awe with his renowned guitar skills for years, and he still puts on a great show today. If you'd like to see Roy Clark at the Opry, check out our Grand Ole Opry Blog to see upcoming performances.

Hits You Might Hear at the Opry

• "Tips of My Fingers"
• "Alabama Jubilee"
• "Yesterday, When I Was Young"
• "I Never Picked Cotton"
• "Thank God and Greyhound You're Gone"
• "Riders in the Sky"
• "Honeymoon Feelin'"
• "Love Is Just a State of Mind"
• "If I Had to Do It All Over Again"
• "Sally Was a Good Old Girl"

More Details

• Roy Clark was a frequent guest actor on The Beverly Hillbillies.
• A known philanthropist, Roy Clark has donated money and organized benefit concerts for the Tulsa, OK, Children's Medical Center, the Hollenback Youth Center, and St. Jude's Children's Hospital in Memphis, TN. Roy even has The Roy Clark Emergency Treatment Center and the Roy Clark Wing at the St. Jude's
• Children's Hospital named after him.
• See the complete list of current Grand Ole Opry members!