Guy Clark was described in many ways by fellow musicians and fans. A gravely voice, starkly honest lyrics, Grammy Award winning, and most of all, a songwriter.
"No question, one of the greatest songwriters of all-time." Dave Pomeroy, President of the Nashville Musicians Association and bass player for Guy Clark for many years, said.
Clark passed away on Tuesday after battling health problems for years, he was 74-years-old, and he spent more than 40 of those years in Nashville.
Pomeroy remembers moving to Nashville in the seventies and meeting Guy Clark for the first time.
Soon, Pomeroy began playing bass in Guy Clark's band, and Pomeroy recalled that Clark taught him more than he knew he could learn.
"I felt like it prepared me for the rest of my career, and really the rest of my life." Pomeroy explained, adding that he played on plenty of songs with Clark, but his favorite was a tune called "Old Friends."
"It's just the perfect song." Pomeroy said. "It's two chords and a narrative."
Pomeroy played on the entirety of the "Old Friends" album and remembers it fondly. "As a musician, it was a real challenge to play something that didn't get in the way, because it was so perfect. Just him and his guitar."
Clark recorded 13 studio albums and numerous live albums, including one at the Blue Bird Cafe, and through it all, he blazed new trails.
"He was an indie artist when there wasn't a word. He was Americana when there wasn't a word." Pomeroy explained.
At the base of it all was Clark's songwriting, bringing to life moments and feelings that could hit a person in their core.
"You could go on iTunes and pick 10 Guy Clark songs, and there will be a song in there that will move you in a way that you could never expect a song to be able to move you." Pomeroy said. "I feel so fortunate to have known him, to have gotten to play with him, to have learned from him."
Clark spent more than 40 years in Nashville performing and writing songs, leaving behind a legacy that will continue to inspire songwriters well into the future.
The funeral arrangements for Clark have not been announced by his family.
