A true musician’s musician, Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown has mastered the guitar, fiddle, drums, viola, harmonica, piano, mandolin and bass. Gatemouth’s smooth blend of Texas style with Jazz, Country and Cajun music has altered the definition of the Blues. His versatility singles him out as an architect of modern Blues sounds.
A protege’ of T-Bone Walker, Gatemouth filled in for the legendary Texas guitarist on night in 1945 at a Houston club called The Bronze Peacock. The club owner Don Robey loved young Brown’s performance, and he offered Gatemouth not only several shows at the club, but also a management deal. Clarence ‘Gatemouth’ Brown’s acceptance marked the beginning of this Blues career and soon after he became the first artist on Robey’s new Peacock label.
Gatemouth influenced a generation of Texas guitarists with favorites like ‘Okie Dokie Stomp,’ ‘Mary is Fine’ and ‘Pale Dry Boogie.’ In 1982 Gatemouth received his first Grammy® for the Rounder release Alright Again, but that failed to compare to the amazing eight W.C. Handy Blues Awards he has received over the years.
— (Blues Foundation press release, 1999.)