About Gary Clark Jr.

Gary Clark Jr. is an award-winning blues guitarist and singer-songwriter from Austin, Texas. With a career spanning nearly two decades, he is widely considered one of the most influential blues musicians of our time. His unique style blends blues, funk, soul and rock & roll to create a sound that is uniquely his own. He has been nominated for four Grammy Awards and won two for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2013 and Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2014.

Early Years

Clark began playing guitar at the age of 12 after being inspired by his father's blues record collection. By the age of 15, he was already performing at open mic nights around Austin. He honed his craft by attending open jam sessions at local venues and studying with local guitar legend Jimmie Vaughan. In 2005, he was discovered by Chris Fitzgerald when he was performing at an open mic night in Austin. Fitzgerald signed him to Warner Bros. Records in 2010.

Career Highlights

Since signing with Warner Bros., Clark has released six studio albums including his debut EP Bright Lights in 2011 and his critically acclaimed debut album Blak and Blu in 2012. His most recent album This Land was released in 2019 to critical acclaim and featured singles like “This Land” and “What About Us”. He has toured extensively around the world with acts like The Rolling Stones, Eric Clapton, Foo Fighters, and John Mayer. He has also collaborated with artists like Alicia Keys and Dave Grohl. Outside of music, Clark has been featured in films like The Muppets Most Wanted (2014) and played guitar for the 2019 remake of The Lion King soundtrack.

Legacy

Throughout his career, Clark has been praised for his powerful live performances and skillful guitar playing. He has earned four Grammy Award nominations including Best Rock Song for “Ain't Messin' Around” in 2013 and Best Traditional R&B Performance for “Pearl Cadillac” in 2014. He won two Grammys for Best Traditional R&B Performance in 2013 and Best Contemporary Blues Album in 2014. He was also named one of the “100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time” by Rolling Stone magazine in 2011. Clark continues to break barriers with his unique sound and passionate performances.