Gregg Clark, beloved Middletown musician, has died

Credit: Nick Graham

Credit: Nick Graham

A local musician, who played venues throughout Butler and Warren counties, has died.

Gregg Clark died Monday night at home of an apparent heart attack according to friends. He was 66.

Clark, a 1971 Middletown High School graduate, played at numerous festivals throughout the region.

“There is a big hole in the music community,” said Sue Wittman, president of the Art Central Foundation in Middletown.

 

She said Clark had shoulder surgery last year and that limited his guitar playing. He was scheduled to play next month at Pendleton Art Center’s anniversary party.

“Shocked,” Wittman said when asked about her reaction to Clark’s death.

She described Clark as a “classy gentleman.”

Clark was a Realtor for 10 years at Coldwell Banker Heritage in Middletown and was an active member at First Presbyterian Church.

He was the driving force behind Blue Christmas, a musical event that raised thousands of dollars for Hope House, a homeless shelter in Middletown. Tim Williams from Hope House said Clark and Chuck Evans were recognized in 2016 in honor of the 25th Blue Christmas.

“He will be greatly missed,” Williams said.

“You could always count on Gregg if you needed help,” said Sam Ashworth, who played trombone in several bands with Clark.

Clark was “a musical legend,” Ashworth said.

 

Clark played in several bands, including the Royal Blues and the Gregg Clark Group. He was a regular at the Lebanon Blues Festival.

Steve Barton played with Clark in the early 1980s, and they remained friends for nearly 40 years. He called Clark “a fabulous guitar player,” who was dedicated to improving and promoting local musicians.

Paul Nisbet said he became friends with Clark after he moved from Lincoln to Wilson elementary in the second grade. It was a lifetime friendship, Nisbet said.

They attended church together and had dinner together last week at the Meadows.

Nisbet said because of Clark’s beard and “jolly” laugh, Clark reminded him of Santa Claus.

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