HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES-2002-070 Resolution Honoring Doug Clark 14(---- (6/fl-4z
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
RESOLUTION
IN HONOR OF DOUG CLARK AND THE HOT NUTS
WHEREAS:Once in a great while,a musical act appears that is so unique,so exciting and so entertaining
that it becomes a legend in its own time,such as the case with Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts;
and,
WHEREAS:In 1955,a group of high school buddies,inspired by Willie Hargrove's trio,characterized by
their brand of zany antics,wild performances and lyrical humor,and anchored by its founder
and spiritual leader,drummer Doug Clark,formed a band to play fraternities at UNC-Chapel
Hill;and,
WHEREAS:Founded as the Tops,then a year later the Doug Clark Combo,for 47 years,Doug Clark and the
Hot Nuts have reigned as the prototype fraternity house dance and beach music band at
colleges up and down the eastern seaboard from the KA House at Ole Miss to the Cottage
Club at Princeton;and,
WHEREAS:During one of its performances,the band played Hot Nuts,which Doug Clark learned from
Willie Hargrove's trio.And from then on,the fraternities referred to the musical group as
Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts;and,
WHEREAS:Doug Clarks hits include Hot Nuts, Toast,Barnacle Bill, Old and Feeble,Ding-a-ling,Lulu and
Big Wheel,as well as covers of songs by such famous acts as Ray Charles,The Drifters,Sam
Cooke,James Brown,Wilson Pickett,the Tams,and his contemporaries,Otis Day and the
Knights of the movie Animal House;and,
WHEREAS:Doug Clark was born in Chapel Hill on June 18, 1936 and was a star quarterback,baseball and
basketball player and drum major for the marching band at Chapel Hill's Lincoln High
School;and,
WHEREAS: Doug Clark cared deeply for the community where he lived and,often sought to help and
inspire young musicians with talent and to help them find a way to use their talent to make a
living;and,
WHEREAS:While Doug Clark joined Heaven's band on September 16,2002,at the age of 66,his legacy
will continue,keeping its distinctive name,Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts,with his brother
John,the band's lead singer and front man,and his son Montey replacing his father on the
sticks;
NOW,THEREFORE,be it resolved,that the Orange County Board of Commissioners mourns the loss of
this great talent who has brought such acclaim to the community and who will live on forever
in the minds of college students,fraternity members and beach-goers throughout the country,
and commends Doug Clark whom for 47 years provided audiences everywhere with his
unique style of musical entertainment.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Orange County Board of Commissioners encourages and
challenges all youth who dream of using their talents,to be inspired by the way Doug Clark
developed his talent into a life long profession.
This the fifteenth day of October 2002.
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Boar• f Co ommis oners