On a day when thousands of Tulsans went to the polls, hundreds took time Tuesday to take part in a celebration of the late country legend Roy Clark who called Tulsa home. There were even “Vote for Roy” pins handed out to everyone in attendance.
Moments after Clark’s widow Barbara gave her husband’s fiddle — gifted to him from Roy Acuff — to musician Cody Marriott, he and his Tempest Revival bandmates played “Tulsa Time.”
Then emcee John Wooley asked Barbara to share some words. All she could muster was, “I’m speechless.”
After more music and comments from dignitaries, including Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols and The Church Studio owner Teresa Knox, the crowd gathered a block south of the recording studio to celebrate Barbara unveiling “Roy Clark Way” at the intersection of East Fourth Street and South Trenton Avenue.
The ceremony came two months after Barbara donated her husband’s extensive personal and professional collection to The Church Studio.
Numerous local music legends were in attendance, including Jana Jae and Clark’s manager Jim Halsey, who celebrated his own street sign unveiling Oct. 15 at the intersection of Bob Wills Boulevard and West Easton Street across from historic Cain’s Ballroom.
Barbara Clark unveils the street sign “Roy Clark Way” at the intersection of East Fourth Street and South Trenton Avenue, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Barbara Clark looks up at the street sign honoring her late husband during an unveiling of “Roy Clark Way” at the intersection of East Fourth Street and South Trenton Avenue, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Barbara Clark is hugged by The Church Studio owner Teresa Knox after Clark unveiled a new street sign honoring her late husband Clark, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Barbara Clark talks to friends after unveiling a street sign honoring her late husband during an unveiling of “Roy Clark Way” at the intersection of East Fourth Street and South Trenton Avenue, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Tulsa Mayor Monroe Nichols speaks about the life and legacy of Roy Clark during a ceremony honoring the late musician at The Church Studio, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
The Church Studio owner Teresa Knox speaks about the life and legacy of Roy Clark during a ceremony honoring the late musician at The Church Studio, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer 
Music historian John Wooley speaks about the life and legacy of Roy Clark during a ceremony honoring the late musician at The Church Studio, Nov. 3, 2026. Credit: Tim Landes / Tulsa Flyer
A lifelong musician, Clark was born in Meherrin, Virginia, in 1933, and raised in Staten Island and Washington, D.C. He rose to fame as a country musician playing banjo, fiddle and guitar. Clark made his Grand Ole Opry debut at 17 and became a member in 1987.
He became a household name as co-host of “Hee Haw” from 1969 to 1993, which drew up to 30 million viewers a week during its run. He was also a frequent guest host of “The Tonight Show” when Johnny Carson would take breaks, played a recurring character on “The Beverly Hillbillies” and appeared on numerous other shows.
In 1974, the Clarks relocated to Tulsa and lived here until his death in 2018. Four years after moving to town, Roy Clark Elementary School was named in his honor.
He was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2009 and spent the final decade of his life being celebrated and honored with numerous awards and halls of fame inductions.
Now Clark has a street named for him a block south of where he used to play music from time to time — when he wasn’t entertaining audiences around the world.
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