“Legend” is appropriately applied to CGB. A super talent suppressed by the “attitudes” of the controlling elite of the music industry. Like so many of his contemporaries, CGB had to struggle to make a living despite his incredible talent. His gruffness was well-learned from years of second class treatment by those in the industry with far less talent but control of the purse strings. He passed our way once upon a time…and we witnessed “the total eclipse” in human form via the LEGENDARY CLARENCE “GATEMOUTH” BROWN.
What a great article Michael! Thank you for sharing. Gatemouth and I had a lengthly decussion about 'capos' during a sound check at SoapCreek Saloon on Academy and Congress, back in 1981 or 82...We both used capo's a lot... me on banjo and Gatemouth on his guitar...I was Soapcreek's kitchen dishwasher at the time and observed him capoing his electric guitar during the afternoon soundcheck. He was a very open and kind man.
Michael ~ While a UT student in the 80's, had a friend "Stuart" whose mother married Gatemouth. Moved to CA after UT graduation and saw an ad for Gate playing the San Jose Blues Festival. Went because I never saw him perform and thought I could tell him Stuart and I were friends. Met Gate and had a wonderful conversation with him despite my girlfriend being "overserved" and making a mess of herself in front of him. Also recall that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Gate's grave in Slidell was washed away and they had to search for it. Remember that? Best wishes!
The Man! (And not the only Musician who brought his pistol to settle up at the end of the night. I was once tasked with paying Chuck Berry who showed me his.)
"I'm very moody. I like music. Umm, I like some of all kinds of music. I like gospel. By the way, I started out to be a gospel singer, not a blues singer. I like country. I like blues, of course, obviously.
And I like jazz, I like rock 'n' roll, I like soul. I like some light classics. I like some of all kinds of music, and when I listen to music, generally, I would buy a few CDs and I would take the cuts out of it that I like to listen to and make my own cassette. That's the way I listen to music. Not all of one, or all of another, or all of another. I've never heard many CDs or LPs that I like the whole thing by that one person. Usually, I have special cuts that I like, and I usually tape them."
Reading all of your stuff, Michael, is a constant reminder to me of how lucky I was to see nearly every act you have profiled IN PERSON. I had no idea how lucky I was back in the 70s to see so much raw talent before it all got ruined by reality TV and the Kartrashians.
As a former member of the Indianapolis Blues Society I had my brush with Gatemouth. We had set up a merchandise table and it's early, like three hours before the show. Gate comes into the room and demands everyone clear out. We were all like, "OK>"? He proceeds to push two tables together pulls his boots off lays down and takes a nap! We stood outside joking around looking through the windows as this Blues Legend to a cat nap! He put on one heck of a show that evening and I never missed a chance to see him play. Great Musician, a Giant actually. RIP Gate!
“Legend” is appropriately applied to CGB. A super talent suppressed by the “attitudes” of the controlling elite of the music industry. Like so many of his contemporaries, CGB had to struggle to make a living despite his incredible talent. His gruffness was well-learned from years of second class treatment by those in the industry with far less talent but control of the purse strings. He passed our way once upon a time…and we witnessed “the total eclipse” in human form via the LEGENDARY CLARENCE “GATEMOUTH” BROWN.
What a great article Michael! Thank you for sharing. Gatemouth and I had a lengthly decussion about 'capos' during a sound check at SoapCreek Saloon on Academy and Congress, back in 1981 or 82...We both used capo's a lot... me on banjo and Gatemouth on his guitar...I was Soapcreek's kitchen dishwasher at the time and observed him capoing his electric guitar during the afternoon soundcheck. He was a very open and kind man.
Thank you for sharing, what a legend!
"Okie Dokie Stomp" was the first song I learned--or TRIED to learn--on guitar. Great tune!
Michael ~ While a UT student in the 80's, had a friend "Stuart" whose mother married Gatemouth. Moved to CA after UT graduation and saw an ad for Gate playing the San Jose Blues Festival. Went because I never saw him perform and thought I could tell him Stuart and I were friends. Met Gate and had a wonderful conversation with him despite my girlfriend being "overserved" and making a mess of herself in front of him. Also recall that in the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Gate's grave in Slidell was washed away and they had to search for it. Remember that? Best wishes!
The Man! (And not the only Musician who brought his pistol to settle up at the end of the night. I was once tasked with paying Chuck Berry who showed me his.)
one great article and I had forgotten Clifford even comparing Gatemouth with Hendrix and others
"I'm very moody. I like music. Umm, I like some of all kinds of music. I like gospel. By the way, I started out to be a gospel singer, not a blues singer. I like country. I like blues, of course, obviously.
And I like jazz, I like rock 'n' roll, I like soul. I like some light classics. I like some of all kinds of music, and when I listen to music, generally, I would buy a few CDs and I would take the cuts out of it that I like to listen to and make my own cassette. That's the way I listen to music. Not all of one, or all of another, or all of another. I've never heard many CDs or LPs that I like the whole thing by that one person. Usually, I have special cuts that I like, and I usually tape them."
https://bluesmusicnow.com/an-interview-with-b.b.-king
Excellent story Michael. Your article showed Gatemouth surely, without a doubt, was not a follower. He let his talent do the talking for him.
Reading all of your stuff, Michael, is a constant reminder to me of how lucky I was to see nearly every act you have profiled IN PERSON. I had no idea how lucky I was back in the 70s to see so much raw talent before it all got ruined by reality TV and the Kartrashians.
As a former member of the Indianapolis Blues Society I had my brush with Gatemouth. We had set up a merchandise table and it's early, like three hours before the show. Gate comes into the room and demands everyone clear out. We were all like, "OK>"? He proceeds to push two tables together pulls his boots off lays down and takes a nap! We stood outside joking around looking through the windows as this Blues Legend to a cat nap! He put on one heck of a show that evening and I never missed a chance to see him play. Great Musician, a Giant actually. RIP Gate!
His Duke-Peacock records are amazing, particularly "Okie Dokie Stomp".