Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Check Out These Exciting Facts About Guy Clark, One of Today’s National Treasures

Guy Clark Facts
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Guy Clark had a long, storied career that makes him one of today’s national treasures and folk icons, serving as a role model to a younger class of maverick musicians.

His music defied conventional categorization, blending folk, country, and bluegrass. While this left record-label executives puzzled about how to market him, Guy Clark songs were recorded over the decades by dozens, if not hundreds, of artists – by the likes of Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Strait, and many more.

Of course, he’s been famous for his personal life too, which is full of complexity and nuances. So, let’s get to know more about one of the godfathers of the Texas singer-songwriter tradition. Keep on scrolling below to find out some facts about Guy Clark.

1. He’s a native of Monahans, Texas.

Born Guy Charles Clark on November 6, 1941, Clark was the son of Ellis, who was a trial lawyer that eventually became a country prosecutor and a theatrical aficionado mother Frances.

2. He grew up living in his grandmother’s thirteen-room hotel.

His father was in the Army while his mother worked, so he was raised mostly by his grandmother, who ran a thirteen-room hotel. It was frequented by air force crews, drifters, and oil field workers that fueled the imagination of young Clark. A wildcatter named Jack Prigg was a character he remembered from the hotel that became the subject of one of his popular songs, “Desperados Waiting for a Train.”

3. He was a high school star athlete.

Clark played different sports during his high school years, including basketball, football, and even track and field. In addition to that, Clark also participated in theater and was part of the school’s debate team. He was quite active and would often join and win science fairs. 

4. He opened a guitar repair shop.

After his stint in the Peace Corps, where he underwent training in Puerto Rico, he briefly attended the University of Minnesota. However, Clark instead moved to Houston and opened a guitar repair shop with his friend, Minor Wilson.

5. He worked at various jobs.

This includes as an art director at a Houston TV station and a shipyard carpenter at various times.

6. He’s married to songwriter and painter Susanna Clark.

Clark first met Susanna – whose artwork famously appears on the album covers of her husband, Willie Nelson, among others – while he was dating her sister Bunny Talley. Four years later, Clark and Susanna got married. Though they went through terrible times, leading to them splitting for a number of years, the two never divorced.

7. He’s close friends with fellow Americana star Townes Van Zandt.

In fact, it was Townes Van Zandt‘s already prolific career that inspired Clark to pursue music full time. Van Zandt was also the best man during Clark and Susanna’s wedding. The three even lived together for several months.

8. He was not mainly interested in fame.

According to two-time Grammy Award winner Rodney Crowell, Clark did not come to the music industry to harvest stardom. “He was in the business of harvesting art and poetry,” said Crowell. 

Truly, Guy Clark is one amazing artist!

Latest Stories

Split image of Zach Bryan performing live on stage with guitar and John Moreland playing guitar in a studio; reflects their public feud following a canceled collaboration.

Folk Musician John Moreland Says Zach Bryan Was Rude, a D*head, and Not Who You Think

Well, the gloves are off in Oklahoma. What started as a cryptic shot from Americana singer-songwriter John Moreland has now turned into a full-blown fallout with country megastar Zach Bryan, ...

Carrie Underwood appears as a judge on American Idol, amid speculation she may not return next season—not because of backlash, but because she knows she belongs on the stage, not behind the desk.

American Idol Was Renewed but Carrie Underwood Might Not Return for the Right Reasons

Carrie Underwood isn’t the problem with American Idol. In fact, she may have been the best thing that happened to the show this season. But if the rumors are true ...

Garth Brooks' Mississippi lawsuit was dismissed but the California case continues.

Garth Brooks’ Mississippi Lawsuit Is Over, But the California Case Is Just Getting Started

A Mississippi judge has dismissed Garth Brooks’ lawsuit against his former hairdresser as “moot,” ending one chapter of an ongoing legal battle. But don’t let that ruling fool you. The ...

George Strait, seen performing with his signature black cowboy hat and guitar, recently revealed he may only have five years left on the road

George Strait Says He Has “Maybe Five Good Years” Left to Tour and That Sound You Hear Is a Million Hearts Breaking

You never want to imagine a world where George Strait isn’t somewhere on a stage, guitar slung over his shoulder, letting the steel ring through the rafters while the crowd ...

Carrie Underwood speaks passionately as a guest judge on American Idol, wearing a floral purple outfit, while fans react online to her controversial critique.

Carrie Underwood Faces Idol Backlash After Fans Call Her Critique Rude and Unfair

Carrie Underwood knows a thing or two about American Idol pressure, but some viewers think she brought the wrong kind of heat this week. After Sunday and Monday’s Top 5 ...

Vince Gill smiles while playing guitar onstage at the Grand Ole Opry as his granddaughter Everly and daughter Jenny Gill join him, creating a touching three-generation family moment.

Vince Gill’s Granddaughter Everly Steals the Show with Surprise Grand Ole Opry Debut

There’s legacy, and then there’s bloodline. And when you’re Vince Gill’s granddaughter, stepping onto the Grand Ole Opry stage isn’t just a “moment”, it’s a birthright. On Saturday, May 3, ...

George Strait pays tribute to Johnny Rodriguez following the late singer’s passing.

George Strait Honors Late Country Legend Johnny Rodriguez With a Heartfelt Tribute

Country music legend Johnny Rodriguez, one of the genre’s most groundbreaking voices and its first major Mexican American star, died Friday, May 9, in San Antonio at 73. His daughter, ...

John Foster performs Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe” on American Idol as his emotional mom watches from the audience with a supportive sign on Mother’s Day.

John Foster Sings Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe” for His Mom and Brings Her to Tears in the Audience

It takes guts to sing a Brooks & Dunn song on national TV, especially one like “Believe.” But it takes something even heavier to pull it off on Mother’s Day, ...

Chris Stapleton and Keith Urban side by side as fans debate Stapleton's powerful ACM performance of "Blue Ain't Your Color" and whether it outshined the original.

Chris Stapleton Took On Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” but Who Sang It Better

Keith Urban may have recorded it first, but Chris Stapleton just might’ve claimed it for good. When Stapleton took the stage at the 2025 ACM Awards and delivered a smoldering ...

Maren Morris appears in a recent interview, attempting to clarify her stance on country music after previously signaling a departure from the genre.

Maren Morris Now Claims She Never Said She Was Leaving Country Music

Maren Morris wants you to know she never said she was leaving country music. Apparently, all that talk about burning it down was just a misunderstanding. In a new interview ...