Jack Clark – Making The Piano Talk

Jack Clark has spent a lifetime playing the piano. Mr. Clark will celebrate his 91^st birthday on Sunday at the Hullander farm, Apison, at the Red Back Hymnal Singing.

The West Virginia native said he fell in love with the piano when he was five years old. While in elementary school he took lessons, and, at the age of 12, he began a long career of accompanying quartets.

In a January, 2013, radio interview with the late Hamilton County Commission Chairman Curtis Adams, Mr. Clark said he developed an interest in four part harmony quartet music very early in his life. Two different colleges were interested in him, but they wanted him to become a classical or jazz piano player.

Mr. Clark said, “I just wanted to play for a quartet. The Lord saw to it I got the opportunity to make a living and I have done that for the entire reach of my career. I’ve been exposed to some of the best musicians in our country and learned a little bit from every one of them. God gave me my talent; any other way doesn’t work.”

Mr. Clark's resume is very impressive, beginning with the Gilliam Quartet. He went on to play for the Tennessee-based Song fellows Quartet, Homeland Harmony Quartet from Atlanta, Harvesters in Charlotte, and Landmark Quartet based in Cincinnati.

Mr. Clark said he really enjoyed his time spent at the Landmark Baptist Church with Pastor Dr. John Rawlings. He said, “People came from all 50 states to hear Dr. Rawlings preach and the famous quartet sing. He said Dr. Rawlings would travel with the Landmark Quartet as they went all over the eastern part of the United States.

Mr. Clark served two years in the U.S. Navy as a chaplain’s assistant in Germany and married his college sweetheart, Midge. After her passing, Mr. Clark re-married another musician, Miss Brenda, who sings and is often accompanied by her husband. The Clarks have lived in several cities, but settled in Cleveland, Tn. They have four sons.

In the early 70s, Mr. Clark was employed by Tennessee Music Company, and then went to workat the Kingsmen Quartet Publishing Co. During this time, he met Squire Parsons and first arranged and published the singer’s famous song, “Sweet Beulah Land.”

In the mid 80s, Mr. Clark got to know Premiers quartet organizer Marlon Pendergrass and took a job playing for the Alabama based singers.

Mr. Clark has led various church choirs but says his favorite job is to sing songs out of the Red Back Hymnal.

Mr. Clark was inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame, Class of 2021. Mr. Clark said, “I’ve lost count of how many songs I’ve written, probably over 250."

He said he’s worked with the best in Southern Gospel Music including George Younce, Rex Nelon. Hovie Lister, Doy Ott, James Blackwood, and Harold Lane.

Mr. Clark said he spends much of his time now writing a few arrangements and doing some teaching, but mostly enjoying his family.

One of his favorite songs to play is “He’s a Personal Savior,” written by LeRoy Abernathy and first recorded by Conner Hall and the Homeland Harmony Quartet.

When the Hullanders organized the Red Back Hymnal singings, the third Sunday in every month, Mr. Clark joined another piano player, Sue Gray, to accompany the congregation for the monthly event.

In the words of the late Commissioner Adams, “When Jack Clark plays, he makes the piano talk; God has certainly used this man and his lifetime of music.”

Cleveland, Tn. Mayor Emeritus Tom Rowland said he was very proud his city was the home of the Red Back Hymnal and two of the best Southern Gospel Music piano players in the country, the late Anthony Burger and Jack Clark.

Organizers Bill and Linda Hullander said everyone is invited to attend the Premiers re-union this Sunday (March 16^th) as they honor and celebrate Jack Clark’s birthday. The event starts at 6 p.m. and is free but a love offering will be taken.

The Hullanders said a special birthday cake is being prepared to honor Mr. Clark and his decades of making music, “tickling the ivories."