Clancy’s Tavern: The history between Fort Smith and Toby Keith

FORT SMITH, Ark. (KFTA/KNWA) — Fans of country music are mourning the loss of country music star Toby Keith who grew up on his family’s farm in Moore, Okla., but had family in the River Valley.

Keith passed away February 5, from stomach cancer at the age of 62. Keith would travel to Fort Smith to visit his grandmother and her tavern.

“As a lot of people already know, Clancy’s Tavern in Fort Smith was his grandmother’s tavern,” said Mike Oldham, radio DJ for KTCS.

The tavern no longer exists but was located on Rogers Avenue. The name of the tavern was Billie Garner’s Supper Club.

“But his grandfather used to poke fun at her calling her ‘Clancy owns a tavern!'” said Oldham. This is where Keith got the name for his hit song and album of the same name, “Clancy’s Tavern”.

Toby Keith, country singer-songwriter, dies at 62 after stomach cancer diagnosis

According to Oldham, the tavern is where Keith discovered his love for music.

“He would watch the bands show up and they would get out of their bus or van looking all sharp dressed and ready for a good night on the town,” said Oldham.

In the beginning, Keith just wanted to play the guitar.

“He got his first guitar at Christmas when he was eight. And he would pick around on it a little bit, but wasn’t really good at it. But when he started coming to that tavern is when he really started getting serious,” said Oldham.

The song which shot Keith to stardom was “Should’ve Been a Cowboy”. Oldham says there is a funny story behind the song.

“They went to a bar. And him and four of his friends were all dressed up in hunting attire. So, they went to this bar, and at the bar was this really attractive young girl who had, as he said, perfect fitting jeans, cowboy hat,” said Oldham.

According to Oldham one of Keith’s friends tried to ask her for a dance. She declined.

“About five minutes later, another guy who wasn’t with their group came up. Cowboy hat, boots, the belt, walked to her to ask her to dance. She looked at him and down and said ‘sure’ and went out and danced,” said Oldham.

Clancy’s Tavern isn’t the only tie Keith has to Arkansas. In 1994, Keith played at the Arkansas-Oklahoma State Fairgrounds.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24.