Alberta’s Terri Clark is returning home to be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Growing up in Alberta, Terri Clark’s country roots are deep.

She grew up in Medicine Hat playing guitar and singing. Her family comes from a musical background; her mother was part of the folk scene and her grandparents were both well-known country musicians.

Although country music has always been in her life, her love for it grew further when she started watching the Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters show in the 1980s.

“They really inspired me to kind of peel away the layers of country music and I started to read a lot of the history books and biographies from other artists,” Clark tells Calgary Citizen.

Clark knew her dreams of being a musician were possible through the support of her family. Additionally, she drew encouragement from fellow Alberta musician k.d. lang.

“She was from Consort, Alberta, and I remember hearing her starting to get played on local radio when I was still 15 or 16 years old living in Medicine Hat,” Clark says.

“She was definitely an inspiration to me back then when she was just starting her career out.”

On Thursday, May 18, Clark will follow in lang’s footsteps when she’s inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame in recognition of her musical success and impact nationally and internationally.

Alberta to Nashville

Clark knew she wanted to pursue music since she was younger, so throughout high school, she saved money to make the move from Alberta to Nashville—and it all started in a Honda Civic.

“I wound up in Toronto and was kind of waiting on the legal situation with immigration. I was waiting and waiting and waiting. Finally, one day my mother said, ‘Never mind waiting, we’re just gonna go down to Nashville,’” Clark explains.

Her mother met her in Toronto and their family friend picked them up in a Honda Civic. Together, the three of them drove to Nashville.

“I had nothing but a guitar, a suitcase full of clothes, and a few hundred dollars in my pocket,” Clark says.

Upon arriving in Nashville, Clark found success straight away by landing a job as a house singer for Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. It took her eight years to sign her first recording contract.

A career of highlights

Clark’s career has many highlights, including touring with artists such as George Strait, Reba McEntire, Brooks and Dunn, and Toby Keith. She’s also had the opportunity to collaborate with many artists including Alison Krauss, Ricky Skaggs, and Dean Brody.

Another milestone was becoming a member of the Grand Ole Opry in 2004. Of the 72 members, Clark is the only Canadian female.

“I don’t think you can really top that if you’re a country singer,” she says. “That’s kind of the holy grail.”

In 2018, Clark was inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.

Canadian Music Hall of Fame

Alongside Clark, rock band Trooper, French singer Diane Dufresne, and veteran jazz pianist Dr. Oliver Jones will also be inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame on Thursday.

The ceremony for all four takes place at Calgary’s Studio Bell, home of the National Music Centre.

“For it to be happening in the same city where my grandparents lived, where I’ve spent so much time, and so close to my hometown, it’s all very full circle for me,” Clark says.

The National Music Centre was built in 2016 and is home to many rare instruments and artifacts. The museum also holds the Canadian Music Hall of Fame and Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame collections.

“I’m not taking this lightly at all,” Clark says. “I’m extremely honoured, humbled, and it just all feels very surreal.

It’s been awhile

She says it’s been a while since a country artist was inducted—the most recent was Shania Twain in 2011.

Clark will join over 60 other bands and individuals that have been inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame since its establishment in 1978.

“I’m just speechless about how I’ve managed to turn what was a hobby when I was 14 into an illustrious, long career,” Clark adds.

Dufresne, Clark, and Trooper will take to the stage to perform. Additionally, Robi Botos and Ranee Lee will perform a tribute to Dr. Oliver Jones.

Among the presenters are previous inductees Deborah Cox and Jann Arden.

Tickets for Thursday’s event are still available online. The event can also be streamed live through CBC Gem, cbcmusic.ca/junos, or through CBC Music’s Facebook and YouTube.