WAKEFIELD — The West Side Social Club 4th of July Committee announces Dan Clark – the Singing Trooper will perform at the Concert on the Common leading to the Fireworks finale on July 4th.
He will sing patriotic songs after the Buckley Brothers Band performs at the bandstand.
Dan began performing at the age of five, after being introduced to the stage by his parents. From there, he began his journey that developed him to be the great entertainer he is today. He continued through high school as part of two “All-State Choirs” (as a soloist) when he was selected to perform with the “All Eastern Chorus” in Washington DC. He studied at the prestigious ‘Young Vocalist Program’ at Tanglewood for two summers, after which he joined the cast of the College Light Opera Company in Falmouth Massachusetts.
After two years of study at the University of Delaware, he took a hiatus from singing and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He was selected as ‘honor graduate’ of his platoon from Parris Island and was trained in Avionics. He was stationed at MCAS New River to maintain the CH-53 A/D Helicopters. He received a meritorious promotion to Corporal and was selected as “Marine of the Month.”
After four years of service, in May of 1984, Clark received an honorable discharge as a sergeant. Clark then took the exam for the Massachusetts State Police in November of 1984 and subsequently entered the next academy class. Ultimately, he became a trooper with the Massachusetts State Police. During his 20-year career, he performed in uniform, representing the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He performed at more than 2,500 events for federal, state, local and military functions. He also performed 25 foreign National Anthems, in native dialect, for visiting dignitaries and sporting events. In addition, for five years, he could be heard on “Radio Disney” as ‘Trooper Dan’ promoting safety for children.
In 1988, Governor Michael Dukakis heard Clark sing at the funeral for a fallen trooper and introduced him to Kitty Dukakis’s father, Maestro Harry Ellis Dickson of the Boston Pops. He was invited to sing “America the Beautiful” on the song’s 100th Anniversary with Maestro Dickson on Cape Cod. Clark was then invited to perform with the legendary Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops for a Fourth of July extravaganza televised nationally on A&E Television Network. As a result of that appearance, an article was published in People Magazine, which prompted his appearances on the “Rosie O’Donnell Show” and the “Donnie and Marie Show” where he sang a duet “Danny Boy” with Donnie Osmond.
Since then, Clark has made appearances at numerous Boston sports events for the Boston Red Sox, the Boston Bruins, the Celtics and the New England Patriots, performing the National Anthem at the opening. The appearances also notably included the Ted Williams Tribute with the United States Marine Corps Band. He has also been opening the Boston Marathon since 1990.
In July of 2005, Sgt. Clark retired from the Massachusetts State Police to pursue a professional singing career. Clark has performed at many Country Fairs and Summer Concerts throughout New England and dedicated ‘State of the Art Fire’ E911 and Fire Station for Walt Disney World and the Reedy Creek Improvement District.
In August of 2015, Clark had the honor to perform in Hyannis for the 30th Anniversary of the “Pops by the Sea” with Keith Lockhart and the “Pops” in celebration of the tradition and the memory of its creator, the legendary Harry Ellis Dickson.
In June of 2017, Clark was part of the prestigious SAIL BOSTON event as a part of the Opening Ceremony aboard the USS Whidbey Island. In November 2017, Clark received the prestigious Lt. Colonel William F. Deagan Award at the Semper Fidelis Society’s Annual Boston Marine Corps Birthday Celebration extravaganza. This was for Clark’s extensive contribution to countless Marine Corps and Military support events held throughout the New England Region.
2018 brought return performances to many of his favorite events such as the Women’s and Men’s Gymnastics Competitions, Manhattan Classic, and USAIG World’s in Orlando. He returned to Fenway Park for the ALDS and the ALCS games for the Boston Red Sox and the USMC Marathon in Washington DC, which includes not only the National Anthem to open this prestigious marathon, but numerous show performances that followed.
Clark continues to travel the nation with his inspirational unique style performance and the West Side Social Club 4th of July Committee is proud to have him back in Wakefield for another memorable celebration of our Nation’s Birthday.