Guitar virtuoso, country music Artist and Hee Haw Co-host artist Roy Clark has passed

[Sailor Steve]

He was also a licensed pilot and dedicated sport-flying enthusiast who sometimes participated in stunt contests. Sometime in the late '70s he was performing in Salt Lake City and went to an air show in Provo. I was lucky enough to be there with my wife. He didn't fly, and I didn't get to meet him, but I did get to witness one of his best comedy bits.

For those who don't know, when a stunt pilot does his or her thing the announcer describes each maneuver in careful detail so everyone can understand what's going on. The regular announcer at this show introduced Clark and said he, as a knowledgeable stunt pilot himself, would explain the stunts performed by the next pilot to go up. Putting on his best deadpan face and "regular guy" style he started saying things like "Well, now he's headed toward me. Uh, now he's going the other way..."

It was simple and effective , and had the crowd in stitches. As a guitarist myself I always admired his style, but that day was one I'll always remember.

Here he is with another great, both of them good enough to give way to the other in his turn.