JB Clark: Press

Fort Worth Star-Telegram (TX)
April 18, 2003

FOLK FAVORITE:
Clark brings a world of tunes home to Classic Cafe
Author: TERRY LEE GOODRICH; Star-Telegram Staff Writer
Edition: NORTHEAST
Section: Star Time; Best of Tarrant County Edition
Page: 4
Article Text:
The letter from a dying friend came too late for its recipient to say farewell in person.
But he granted his friend's last request.
In the lyrics of Hurst folk-pop musician J B Clark, "I did just like you asked of me and went down to the pub for a gin."
Clark, 48, sings the song with "a bit of an accent -- some butchered version of the Queen's English," he says. "I always wait a couple of sets until the audience has had a few."
The song, Davey, is an original by the Salem, Oregon, native, who sings and plays guitar and harmonica Thursdays and Fridays in the lounge at The Classic Cafe at Southlake. His offerings include 1960s and 1970s tunes by Harry Chapin, Cat Stevens, John Denver and Paul Simon, along with an occasional original composition.
"I've got a notebook full of lyrics, and one or two of [the songs] are singable," he says. "A lot are giving advice to myself while growing up or to get through sad times. I sneak in one [original] song at a time now and then."
Clark, a satellite-radio program manager for Hertz rental cars, began performing at The Classic Cafe in November. It had been years since he played, he said. His last gigs were in his spare time in clubs and restaurants while he was in the Air Force serving in Italy, Okinawa and Vietnam.
"For me, it's just a treat to not be a jukebox," although he says he doesn't mind doing cover tunes. "Now, I don't for the life of me know why I ever quit [performing].
"I can't quit the day job, and I don't want to sound corny, but I feel great -- like I'm doing what I ought to be doing."
J B Clark
7-10 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays
The Classic Cafe at Southlake
621 E. Southlake Blvd.
Southlake
Free
(817) 410-9001
Terry Lee Goodrich, (817) 685-3812 terry@star-telegram.com
Copyright 2003 Star-Telegram, Inc.
Record Number: 11156149