Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, on December 11, 1917, Slim Clark began his career as a teenager, following in the style of Wilf “Montana Slim” Carter, who he had heard on the radio.

Slim’s first broadcasts on WMAS in Springfield began in 1936. He then moved briefly to WKNE in Keene, New Hampshire, with the Down Homers in 1938. His first band, the Red River Rangers, included none other than yodeler Kenny Roberts on mandolin and another early band, the Trail Riders, included the late/great Dick Curless. Both got their starts in show business with Slim Clark.

Slim’s musical heroes, who got him started in the recording business, were Elton Britt, Denver Darling, and songwriter Mickey Stoner.

Slim began recording for Continental Records in New York in 1946, He also recorded eight sides for the Wheeling, West Virginia label and ARC records in Canada released an LP. He resumed his Continental recordings until the early 1950s.

His LP recordings began in 1951 on various labels and in 1965 he began a recording contract with Palomino records. During his career, he recorded over 100 songs. Of the 34 songs he wrote, 11 were co-written by the late Pete Roy, his close friend for many years. Mr. Clark’s major career awards include:

• 1947 World’s Champion Yodeler
• 1957 Champion Yodeler of New England
• 1979 Entertainer of the Year, Maine CMA
• 1980 Hall of Fame, Maine CMA
• 1981 Pioneer Award, Down East CMA
• 1989 Hall of Fame, Massachusetts CMAA
• 1996 Mayor of Lewiston, Maine, presented him with a key to the city; Maine Governor Angus King, Jr., declared April 14 thru April 21 Slim Clark Week.
• 1996 Walkway of the Stars, Hall of Fame in Nashville, Tennessee
• 1996 Honorary Hall of Fame, Rhode Island CMA

Raymond LeRoy “Slim” Clark passed away on July 5, 2000, at the age of 82 just months before his induction into the WMA Hall of Fame. He was the last of the great Singing Cowboys.
Janet McBride & Al Krtil

Awards:

• 2000 Hall of Fame Inductees