Gatemouth Brown

Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (born April 18, 1924 , Orange, Texas , died September 10 2005 in Orange, Texas) was generally categorized as a blues artist and guitarist, although he described his own music as "American music, Texas style." He played many styles of music (jazz, blues, bluegrass, zydeco, cajun, calypso), often blending elements from different styles into one tune, and is a multi-instrumentalist (guitar, violin, harmonica, piano, mandolin, viola, drums). Over the years, he has played a wide variety of guitars, including Gibson L-5s and Fender Telecasters, but the main guitar he is associated with is a mid-60's Gibson Firebird. His impressive guitar style has influenced many other blues guitarists such as Albert Collins, Guitar Slim, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson. He is also considered as one of the first guitarists to use a capo in his guitar technique.

External links

• Gatemouth's website
• Alligator Records' biography

Listening

• "W.C. Handy Blues Awards", from National Public Radio Talk of the Nation, program, May 24, 2001
• "Music: 'Gatemouth' Brown Plays Through Cancer, Years", from National Public Radio All Things Considered program, June 22, 2005
• "Remembrances: 'Gatemouth' Brown's Blues Voice Goes Quiet", from National Public Radio All Things Considered program, September 12, 2005