Guy Clark

Description: alt.country Singer/Songwriter

Comparisons: Probably the closest two comparisons to the work of Guy Clark are that of Johnny Cash and Townes Van Zandt, although at times his songs can resemble the work of folks like Greg Brown and Kris Kristofferson, as well. He's also had a huge influence on Steve Earle and Rodney Crowell.

Starter CDs: Texas Cookin' (Sugar Hill, 1990). The Essential Guy Clark (RCA, 1997). Cold Dog Soup (Sugar Hill, 1999).

Guy Clark Biography: Guy Clark was born in 1941 in Monahans, Texas. While his mother worked and his father served duty in the U.S. Army, Guy was mostly raised by his hotel-owner grandmother.

When still a child, Clark started learning songs that he would sing in Spanish. Later, in his late teens, he moved to Houston, where he met and befriended singer/songwriter Townes Van Zandt, Lightnin' Hopkins, and Mance Lipscomb. Together, Clark and Van Zandt would tour the country until Townes' death in 1997.

By the end of the 1960s, Clark moved to San Francisco, and eventually to Los Angeles. While in LA, he got a job in a dobro factory. It didn't last long, though. He and his wife (painter and songwriter Susanna) headed to Nashville in 1971.

Eventually, Clark managed to land a recording contract with RCA in Nashville, and released his debut album Old No. 1 in 1975. He recorded one more album for RCA in 1976 (Texas Cookin') before signing up with Warner Bros. Although only a few of his songs reached the Top 100 charts, Clark enjoyed more success as a songwriter for other folks.

Johnny Cash, George Strait, David Allen Coe, and The Highwaymen all achieved considerable success singing songs Guy Clark wrote. Since then, Clark has released 15 records and appeared in two films. He has also become an accomplished luthier.