GARY CLARK JR.

Gary Clark Jr. (born February 15, 1984) is an American guitarist and actor based in Austin, Texas. Described as being the future of Texas blues, Clark's resume has included sharing the stage with various legends of rock and roll. He has stated that he is "influenced by blues, jazz, soul [and] country, as well as hip hop". Clark's musical trademarks are his extremely fuzzy guitar sound and smooth vocal style. 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 was the launch pad from which Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan redefined rock at the time. 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. Clark's music demonstrates how rock & roll and blues have shaped virtually every medium of music over the past century, from hip-hop to country. Clark performed at the 2010 Crossroads Guitar Festival alongside B.B. King, Eric Clapton, Buddy Guy, Steve Winwood, John Mayer, Sheryl Crow, Jeff Beck, and ZZ Top.] He joined Doyle Bramhall II and Sheryl Crow on stage for their performance with Eric Clapton, and also debuted several original songs. In June 2011, Clark played at the annual Bonnaroo Music Festival in Manchester, Tennessee,[14] at the Miller Lite On Tap Lounge. On June 10, 2012, Clark again played at Bonnaroo, and his performance was streamed live online via the Bonnaroo MusicFest Channel on YouTube. Rolling Stone declared Clark "Best Young Gun" in its April 2011, "Best of Rock" issue. 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. More recently, Clark recorded with Alicia Keys on two different songs in New York, NY. In February 2012, Clark performed alongside blues legends at the Red, White and Blues event at the White House. The event, aired on PBS, also included B.B. King, Mick Jagger, Jeff Beck and Buddy Guy, among others. Clark played "Catfish Blues" and "In the Evening (When the Sun Goes Down)", as well as contributing to performances of "Let the Good Times Roll", "Beat Up Old Guitar", "Five Long Years" and "Sweet Home Chicago".[18][19][20] "Bright Lights" can be heard in a 2011 Jack Daniel's commercial as well as in the 2012 Max Payne 3 videogame. In June 2012, Clark guested with the Dave Matthews Band playing Can't Stop and All Along the Watchtower at dates in Virginia Beach and Indianapolis. On August 28, 2012, Alicia Keys revealed via Twitter that Clark's new album and major-label debut called Blak and Blu will be released on October 22, 2012. Later that day, the news appeared on Clark's official website.