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The Grapevine: Fond Memories of Recording Artist Roy Clark on His Visit to Clarksburg

By Rosalyn Queen on November 26, 2018 from The Grapevine via Connect-Bridgeport.com

When most of us scanned Facebook earlier this week we learned that Nashville recording artist Roy Clark had died. The really came as a surprise and a lot of us had many fond memories with him. 
 
 Back in the early eighties Roy Clark made a visit to Clarksburg through the planning of the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival. Now you might ask what in the world would a country boy be appearing at the Festival. Well, as I have said often in my column, now you will know the best of the story. 

Back in the 80's, the Festival Board was adamant on having a Parade Marshall that would attract a crowd. Sometimes it was hard to get a well known individual as we had very little funding. And we usually only furnished lodging and meals for the person who agreed to join us in the parade on Festival weekend. 
Early one morning I got a call from Jimmy Mazzei telling me that he had talked with Sam Lovullo and he would be interested in serving as our Parade Marshall. I asked Jimmy who in the world Sam Lovullo was and did he know we could not pay him. Jim talked with Sam again and he asked me to call him. Upon calling Sam I learned he was the producer of then famous TV show Hee Haw.  I also learned that he was Italian American. He loved his heritage and agreed to come visit us. Several days later I got a call from him and he asked me if it would be ok for him to invite Roy Clark to come with him. Roy Clark, of course, was part of the Hee Haw duo along with Buck Owens.  
 
Sam and Roy were like brothers and Roy wanted to come with Sam. Now I faced another situation. What was I going to do with Roy and how could I justify his appearance at our Festival? I just decided that we would just tell the truth that he came to honor his friend, Sam. By the way Jimmy, did I ever let you know how much I appreciated your efforts on the Festival's behalf?

Although we were not paying anything we did have to make a few arrangements. We needed to fly Sam into Benedum Airport and back out as it was a quick trip. Our friend Chuck Koukulis handled these details for us. 
 
On Friday evening on the main stage, Roy took the stage with just his guitar and sang a few songs in tribute to Sam. And the crowd just loved it. 
 
Roy rode in the parade on Saturday and then had to hightail it to the airport for his next scheduled performance. My son Mike Queen agreed with the Festival to serve as his host while Roy was here.  Mike's job was to make certain Roy was able to stick to his schedule. If a country music superstar like Roy Clark was coming to Clarksburg at little cost, the least we could do was keep to the schedule that Roy needed to adhere to in order to get back to Nashville on time.
 
On their way back to the airport, Mike told Roy about his wife Paula being from down south and what a great fan she was of his and that she was so sad because she had to work and missed seeing him.  Roy asked Mike where she worked and Mike said at the bank we will be passing. Roy said let's stop and see her and they did. 
 
Needless to say, the surprise everyone at the bank felt when Roy Clark walked into that lobby was incredible. After a visit and picture taking, Mike and Roy proceeded to the airport for his farewell from Clarksburg. 
 
Roy Clark passed away last week and many of us will remember him fondly and thank him for coming to our Festival. Rest in peace Roy Clark.  I will continue to think of you, your friend Sam and your kindness to our Festival every time I hear your hit song "Yesterday When I Was Young."

I tried to call Sam Lovullo earlier this week to offer my sympathy and learned that Sam had passed away in 2017. I remained friends with Sam for a long time.  Sam and his wife hosted Fray and Me and Follie and Tom Basile as his guests in Nashville one summer.  We even sat on the stage during a live performance of Hee Haw. His wife Grace and he attended several NIAF functions with us.

I feel saddened today by the passing of two these two gentle men who so graciously came to our city. They touched so many lives in so many ways.  We have truly been blessed.

Thanksgiving is here. We all have so much to be thankful for. Do not forget the small things that add so much to our lives. Enjoy your family and friends and until next week "Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine."
 
Editor's Note: Top photo shows Roy Clark, right, with then Clarksburg City Council member Jim Hunt.



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