As I was looking for a good “Cold Shot” video by Stevie Ray Vaughan, I stumbled across a video of the song performed by W.C. Clark. I had to do some more research on Clark and come to find out he was the original co-writer of the song with keyboardist Mike Kindred. Then through a little more research I learned Clark was considered the “Godfather of the Austin Blues Scene.” Clark was responsible for the band, Triple Threat Revue, which included the great Stevie Ray Vaughan. Plus Clark did a lot of work with the Vaughan and Jimmy Vaughan, plus Kim Wilson from the Fabulous Thunderbirds. So with that reputation, I couldn’t resist writing a post about the great Austin blues man, W.C. Clark. I hope you enjoy these rare video performances as much as I did!
The first video inspired the whole post. I mentioned that I stumbled across W.C. Clark performing “Cold Shot,” well here it is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ayZZU743iQ0.
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W.C. Clark was known as much as a bass player as a guitarist. Check out Clark on the bass with the great Stevie Ray Vaughan at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EkSsypCMdk4.
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W.C. Clark also played blues harp player, Kim Wilson. Check out this great jam with Angela Strehli on lead vocals and Jimmy Vaughan on guitar at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LddX4OVxccQ.
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The last video I’ll leave you with features an all star cast backing up W.C. Clark including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Kim Wilson, Jimmy Vaughan, and plenty others. Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9-gNNFwVmQ.
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W.C. Clark inspired many blues musicians in Austin, TX and all around the world. We can all thank Clark for giving us some great music and helping out the blues music stars we know and love today.
Thanks,
Griff
6 replies to "W.C. Clark: Godfather Of The Austin Blues Music Scene"
I heard the track “Let it Rain” by Bro Clark 15 or so years ago. Luved his style and went out and bought the CD. Crazy about that cat man. Thanks for giving him his deserved ‘props’ Griff
After a wet and rainy night at the Mississippi River Blues Fest in the quad cities, where W.C. Clark played his heart out, I was about to enter my hotel room for a much needed break before the after jam. As i was getting my guitar case out of the car a van pulled up and a voice shouted out to me, ” hey are you a musician” ? I turned and to my suprise, there was W.C. Clark and some of his band members in the van. I strolled over to the van carrying my guitar and W.C said,” what you got in the case?” it was a cheap les paul copy I travel with that I’ve had for years. W.C. asked if he could see it,and I got it out of the case. As he asked if he could try playin it,the guys in the back started to laugh and asked me if i knew who he was. Well, I looked those guys straight in the eye and said “everybody knows who W.C. Clark is” and they just roared with laughter ! He played a little, I played a little, the harp player blew a little, and we had a mini jam right in the hotel parking lot. I couldn’t resist asking W.C. to sign my guitar, he asked me my name and what I would like him to write. He was so gracious to sign it personally to me and include …aint it funny, how time just slips right on away…( a part of a verse from a song he played and sang on an Austin City Limits show with SRV years ago. ) I’ll never forget that night or that wonderful encounter with a true blues ledgend W.C. Clark
Holy Cow! Nearly wore my fingers down playing along. Great jam. Thanks!
Austin,Texas during that time was magical and still is, as well as Houston if you wanted to hear some good blues! Austin City Limits, where these shows are from has always put on the best
musical production of any TV shows!
I’m a blues harmonica player and I sure did enjoy all of these videos.
Doug
….great people…great sound…..great blues..what can we ask for…