by Jem Aswad
Roy Clark, the legendary guitarist and singer, Country Music Hall of Fame and Grand Ole Opry member, Grammy, ACM and CMA award winner and co-host of the "Hee Haw" television series, died on Thursday due to complications from pneumonia at home in Tulsa, Okla. He was 85.
His starring stint on the at times deliberately corny "Hee Haw" television show belied his stellar musicianship and deep pedigree as a country-music pioneer, particularly the "Bakersfield" sound of the late 1950s and early 1960s in which he was deeply involved with fellow picker Buck Owens, who also appeared on the show. With the later rise of country stars ranging from Emmylou Harris and Dwight Yoakam to Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, Clark's vast influence has received its proper due.