HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 10-15-2002 - 5b 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: October 15, 2002
Action Agendaj
Item No. _J'b
SUBJECT: Resolution Honoring Doug Clark
DEPARTMENT: County Commissioners PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No
ATTACHMENT (S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Yes - Resolution Donna Baker, Clerk to the Board
TELEPHONE NUMBERS:
Hillsborough 732-8181
Chapel Hill 968-4501
Durham 688-7331
Mebane 336-227-2031
PURPOSE: To consider a resolution to honor of one of Orange County's "legends", Doug
Clark.
BACKGROUND: Doug Clark was born in Chapel Hill on June 18, 1936, a son of Rebecca and
the late John Clark, Sr. He attended Lincoln High School where he was a star quarterback and
also played baseball and basketball. He was also a drum major in the school's marching band.
However, he seemed destined to be an entertainer. Doug and his older brother, John, formed
their own band in 1955, Doug Clark and the Hot Nuts, and played the college fraternity scene
for years to come. Their music appealed to people of all ages and spanned generation gaps.
Doug Clark passed away on September 16, 2002 and he leaves a legacy that will live on
forever.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: NONE
RECOMMENDATION (S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the attached
resolution honoring Doug Clark.
2
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.
Barry Jacobs,Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners