Terri Clark, a celebrated country music artist from the ’90s, is known for her hits like “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me,” “Better Things To Do,” and “I Just Wanna Be Mad.” Recently, she released her latest album, “Terri Clark: Take Two,” which features reimagined versions of her biggest hits alongside some of today’s top country artists.
Clark has always been admired for her straightforward approach to her career. She has never relied on flashy gimmicks or controversial stunts to gain attention. Instead, she has consistently produced solid country music, staying true to her roots.
However, this doesn’t mean she hasn’t had lucrative offers come her way. In a recent interview, Clark revealed that she was once offered $1 million to pose for Playboy, an offer she turned down.
“There was an online poll asking which female country singer people would like to see pose for Playboy,” Clark said. “Shania Twain and I were the top two choices, which I found surprising.”
Clark’s manager at the time, Clarence, informed her of the offer. “They offered me a million dollars,” she recalled. “But I told Clarence, ‘There’s no way I’m posing.’ Meet and greets with fans can already get weird enough. Can you imagine if I had posed for Playboy?”
Despite the tempting offer, Clark stood her ground. “They even offered me a lesser amount to go topless, but I declined. I didn’t want a money grab, and I knew I had too many young girls looking up to me.”
Clark has always prided herself on being a strong woman, and posing for Playboy would have gone against everything she stood for. “I’m glad I made that decision,” she said. “Six months later, I was asked to become a member of The Grand Ole Opry. I’m not sure that would have happened if I had posed for Playboy.”
Clark’s decision to turn down the Playboy offer is a testament to her integrity and commitment to her values. She has always been a role model for young girls, and her decision to stay true to herself has only solidified her status as a respected artist in the country music industry.
Clark’s latest album, “Take Two,” features duets with some of the best artists in country music today. She had a wish list of people she wanted to work with, including Cody Johnson, Ben Rector, and Lauren Alaina. The first call she made was to Ashley McBryde, a friend since 2017. McBryde agreed to sing on “Better Things To Do,” a song that had a significant impact on her growing up.
Other artists, like Lainey Wilson, also joined the project. Clark knew she wanted to work with Wilson because of her individuality and music. Almost everyone Clark asked said yes, with the few exceptions being due to scheduling conflicts.
Clark’s career has been marked by perseverance and dedication. She considers her big break to be when she auditioned for Mercury Records. After years of playing at Tootsie’s on Downtown Broadway and working on demo tapes, she finally got the call to sing for Mercury Records. The next day, she was offered a record deal, a moment she described as a dream come true.
Clark’s signature look includes a cowboy hat, which she rarely performs without. Depending on the weather, she switches between a straw hat in the spring and summer and a felt one in the fall and winter. She even shapes her hats herself using a steamer, a skill she picked up from her time working at a Boot Country store before her record deal.
Originally from Canada, some of Clark’s biggest hits charted only there and not in the U.S. When creating set lists for her shows, she tries to include all her big hits from both countries, along with some new songs. Currently on tour, she plans to play close to 75 shows by the end of the year.
Terri Clark’s decision to turn down Playboy’s offer is a powerful reminder of the importance of staying true to one’s values. Her career continues to thrive, and she remains a beloved figure in the country music world.
