| Gary Clark Jr. | |
|---|---|
| Background information | |
| Born | February 15, 1984 |
| Origin | Austin, Texas, United States |
| Genres | Rock, Hard Rock, Psychedelic Rock, Soul, R&B |
| Years active | 1996–present |
| Labels | Hotwire Unlimited |
| Website | www.garyclarkjr.com |
| Members | |
| Gary Clark Jr. Johnny Bradley-Bass Zapata!-Guitar J.J. Johnson-Drums Chris Layton-Drums Johnny Radelat-Drums |
|
Gary Clark Jr. (born February 15, 1984), is an American guitarist and actor considered by some to be the leader of the Austin, Texas rock scene, playing in a style that has at times been compared to Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan.[1][2][3][4] Acclaimed as the savior of blues,[5][6] Clark has established a resume which has enabled him to share the stage with various legends of rock and roll.[7] His live performances, as well as his recordings, blend rock, soul and blues, infusing fluid guitar with a guttural howl and a falsetto trill that mix together. Despite his roots, Clark comes across as someone who is forging something unique in the music world.[8] More specifically, his 2010 self-titled EP debuts his ability to explore various genres of music, while demonstrating his independence and distinctiveness from the heavily saturated music industry.[8][9]
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Gary Clark Jr. began playing guitar at the age of twelve. Born and raised in Austin, Clark played small gigs throughout his teens, until he met promoter Clifford Antone, proprietor of the Austin music club Antone's. Antone's provided the launching pad for Stevie Ray Vaughan and Jimmie Vaughan to redefine modern rock music.[5] Soon after meeting Clifford, Clark began to play with an array of musical icons, including Jimmie Vaughan. Vaughan and others in the Austin music community helped Clark along his musical path, facilitating his ascent in the Texas rock & roll scene.[10] Today, Clark is one of the many black musicians in rock & roll who are resurrecting the blues of today, while in contrast to the past forty years, where blues has been the canvass and playground for mainly white musicians. Clark's music, highlights how the influence of rock and roll and blues music have ubiquitously shaped virtually every medium of music over the past century: ranging from hip-hop to country music.[5]
Clark was featured in the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival alongside B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, and ZZ Top.[11][12][13] He joined Doyle Bramhall II and Sheryl Crow on stage for their performance with Eric Clapton, while also debuting his recent material.[14][15]
In June 2011, Clark played at the annual Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee.[16] at the Miller Lite On Tap Lounge.
Rolling Stone declared Clark "Best Young Gun" in its April 2011, "Best of Rock" issue.[17]
Clark sang on the bonus track cover of "I Want You Back" by the Jackson 5 on Sheryl Crow 's album 100 Miles from Memphis.[18][19]
Clark starred alongside Danny Glover, Stacy Keach, and Charles Dutton in John Sayles' 2007 film, Honeydripper.[20][21][22]
Mayor of Austin, Kirk Watson, proclaimed May 3, 2001 Gary Clark Jr. day. Clark was seventeen years old at the time.[23][24][25] Clark won the Austin Music Award for Best Blues and Electric Guitarist, on three different occasions.[26]
Clark was SPIN magazine's breakout artist for the month of November 2011.[27]
Rollingstone ranked Clark's Bright Lights EP number 40 on its list of its top 50 albums of 2011.[28]
Clark performed alongside Alicia Keys' Keep a Child Alive Black Ball benefit, in an effort to raise money for children with AIDS in Africa.[29] The two performed the Beatles' "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" as a tribute to George Harrison.[30]