Published: June 05, 2009 10:31 am      

Kentucky Music Trail

Series returns to Paramount Arts Center with Roy Clark as 1st show

ASHLAND — Three blockbuster performances can be expected along this year’s Kentucky Music Trail at the Paramount Arts Center.

Roy Clark, Sara Evans and Ricky Skaggs make up the lineup of entertainers.

Clark will perform on June 20; Evans on Aug. 7 and Skaggs Oct. 8. All shows are at 8 p.m.

Roy Clark

Many music followers give Roy Clark credit for making country music cross over onto the pop charts, as well as credit for putting Branson on the map as a music destination.

Clark, who became known through his appearances on the television show “Hee Haw,” is best known, though for his virtuosity on guitar and his down-to-earth attitude.

“The biggest attribute I have is that I’m just old Roy,” he said. “I remind women of their brothers or sons and men aren’t intimidated by me. I don’t play or sing that far over their heads that they can’t say, ‘If I wanted to practice, I could do that, and besides, look at him. He’s not Greek god, that’s for sure.’”

Clark was born and reared in the Washington, D.C., area. His father played in a square dance band and took him to free concerts by the National Symphony and various military bands.

He began learning music on banjo and mandolin and he received his first guitar at 14 — a Sears Silvertone. His first paid performance at 15 earned him $2.

He soon dropped out of school to become a professional musician and found himself performing with country legends such as Hank Williams and Grandpa Jones. He won a national banjo competition in 1950 and was invited to perform at the Grand Ole Opry, leading to shows with Red Foley and Ernest Tubb.

In 1960, he got his big break: opening for Wanda Jackson at the Golden Nugget in Las Vegas. He soon headlined his own tour and started making regular television appearances.

Through the 1960s, he recorded several albums and toured constantly.

Sara Evans

Lovers of country music have found Sara Evans’ songs to be inspired modern classics.

Some of those tunes are showcased on her latest release, “Sara Evans Greatests Hits,” including “No Place That Far,” “A Real Fine Place to Start” and “Born to Fly.”

For this release, Evans worked wtih producer John Shanks, known for his work with Bon Jovi, Kelly Clarkson and Keith Urban.

“He’s just amazing to work with and he was exactly what I needed for this project,” Evans said.

Evans has won a host of accolades from the country music industry, including the Academy of Country Music’s Female Vocalist of the Year and the CMA’s Video of the Year for “Born to Fly.” She was named 2006 Female Vocalist of the Year and was named among People Magazine’s “50 Most Beautiful People.”

Ricky Skaggs

Louisa-area native Ricky Skaggs comes home to conclude the KMT series this year.

Last year, Skaggs released “Honoring the Fathers of Bluegrass: 1946 and ’47,” a collection of Skaggs’ country hits from the 1980s, all redone as bluegrass.

“They just sound great,” Skaggs, who has won multiple awards from the Country Music Association and the International bluegrass Music Association and other honors, said.

“Honoring the Fathers” was a project dear to Skaggs because it pays tribute to the entire Bill Monroe band, beginning with the days of Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs.

“It’s the time period when bluegrass really got started, the formative years,” Skaggs said. “Lester was hired in early to mid-1945 and Earl was hired in December of 1945. They didn’t record until August 1946, but they were putting together the music as they were playing together. The way it came together was just so incredible.

“Mr. Monroe’s music just catapulted by leaps and bounds from then. ... they added a real spark to his music.”

Like many performers who take the Paramount stage, Skaggs is looking forward to the quality of the venue.

“It’s just a good sounding room and a good stage,” he said.

But it’s also a bit of a homecoming for him.

“The people that come out really enjoy everything from my country days to the bluegrass time I’m doing now,” he said. “Others have their own reasons why they like the building and playing here. It’s just a good venue for me. I really enjoy it it, plus getting to see friends and family.”

Skaggs’ fondness of playing this area might also have to do with happy childhood memories Ashland stirs up.

“I remember being in the Sears store and my dad said I could pick out a bicycle and he’d buy it for me,” Skaggs said. “I ran and found one I absolutely loved and he bought it for me. I remember riding down the street...I was the most proud person in the world. I couldn’t have been more proud if it was a brand new car.”

LEE WARD can be reached at lward@dailyindependent.com or (606) 326-2661.