The son of two amateur musicians, Roy Clark began playing banjo, guitar, and mandolin at an early age. By the time he was 14, he was playing guitar behind his father at local dances. Within a few years, he won two National Banjo Championships–with his second win earning him an appearance at the Grand Ole Opry.

In the 1970s, Roy symbolized country music in the U.S. and abroad. Between guest hosting for Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show and performing to packed houses throughout the United States, he sold out 18 concerts in the Soviet Union. Roy used his talent to bring country music into homes around the world. As one of the hosts of TV’s Hee Haw for more than 20 years, he picked, sang, and offered “country corn” to 30 million people weekly.

Among his many vocal hits are “Yesterday, When I Was Young, “Thank God and Greyhound” and “Wichita Lineman.” Instrumentally, he won awards for both guitar and banjo. He became an Oklahoman in 1974 and four years later an elementary school in the Union School District was named in his honor. He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009.