GARY CLARK JR.began playing guitar in 1996 at the ripe young age of 12. Born and raised in Austin, TX, Gary continued to play small gigs throughout his early teens, until he popped on the radar of legendary promoter Clifford Antone, owner of the Austin blues club Antone's. Through Clifford's connections, Gary soon began sitting in and learning from an array of musical icons, including the incomparable Jimmie Vaughan.
Jimmie and others in the Austin music community mentored Gary along his path, facilitating his steady rise, and continued ascent in the Texas music scene. Gary's musical peers, as well as the Austin music community at-large, have showered him with critical acclaim for his galvanized live performances, and fervid expression. At one unexpected point of political recognition, mayor of Austin Kirk Watson proclaimed May 3, 2001 Gary Clark Jr Day. Gary was 18 years old at the time.
Gary went on to win the Austin Music Award for Best Blues and Electric Guitarist on three separate occasions, in addition to receiving awards from various Blues magazines and associations around the country. After playing the nationally televised show Austin City Limits and touring with the likes of artists such as Jimmie Vaughan, Pinetop Perkins, and Doyle Bramhall II, he continued his recording pursuits by releasing three self-produced albums, and creating the original score for the major motion picture Full Count. His creative versatility allowed him to transcend his own musical talents, while also starring as a principal character in John Sayle’s film Honeydripper, alongside actors Danny Glover and Stacy Keach.
Originally known as a blues musician and even compared to such greats as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Albert Collins and Albert King, Gary is stepping out...way out. His upcoming CD will really test his blues fans. Will they appreciate Gary's guitar chops and his soulful voice as he explores other genres? Gary hopes so and he hopes they will continue with him on his journey. And with this new sound, we're thinking Gary will pick up some new fans along the way.
HIs first major label LP "Blak and Blu" was released on October 22, 2012
Travis County
Gary Clark Jr. Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
But no, I didn't smile
They told me I was gonna be here
For a pretty long while
One day I was walking down the street when
I should've been walking down the hall
Heard a voice calling out, saying
Now before I could've gathered my thoughts
I turned around and I saw the cops
Oh boy did my heart sure drop when
He told me I better stop
Ooh, ooh
Oh, they put my hands in cuffs
Oh boy, they even locked me up
When I thought that it was all
Till they started taking all my stuff
Now I'm sittin' 'round in my cell
Just a looking at the wall
I didn't even get to make
My one phone call
After I was just sittin' 'round
You know I started getting down
When they let me out
All I could do is scream and shout
The lyrics of Gary Clark Jr.'s "Travis County" paint a vivid picture of an experience in the Travis County Jail. The song depicts a man who is thrown into jail and is scared, anxious, and hopeless. The singer tries to come to terms with what he has gotten himself into, but he struggles to keep his spirits up. The opening line "Travis County took my picture/But no, I didn't smile" sets a somber tone, indicating that the singer is not enjoying his experience at the county jail. The second line indicates that the singer's experience in the jail is going to be extended, and he is stuck there for a while.
The second stanza is a powerful moment in the song. The singer is walking down the street when he hears the voice of the cops, and he realizes that his escape is impossible. The singer then goes on to describe the feelings of fear and anxiety that he experienced as he was being taken to the jail. He talks about the shock he experienced as the police handcuffed him.
The final stanza explains how the singer managed to come to terms with his experience. He is left sitting in his cell staring at the wall, but eventually, he starts to realize that he can survive this horrific experience. The song ends with the singer shouting and screaming, seemingly about his newfound freedom.
Overall, "Travis County" is a powerful song about the experience of incarceration. It describes the fear and anxiety that many people experience when they are taken into custody. The song also highlights the resilience of the human spirit and the ability to overcome even the most challenging circumstances.
Line by Line Meaning
Travis County took my picture
The police department in Travis County, Texas took a mugshot of the singer upon his arrest.
But no, I didn't smile
The singer did not smile in his mugshot.
They told me I was gonna be here
The police informed the singer that he would be detained for a significant period of time.
For a pretty long while
The artist's detention period was expected to be lengthy.
One day I was walking down the street when
At a point in time, the artist was walking outside.
I should've been walking down the hall
The singer ought to have been walking indoors.
Heard a voice calling out, saying
The singer heard a voice yell out with words.
"Ooh, where you going, y'all?"
The voice called out with the phrase, "Ooh, where you goin', y'all?"
Now before I could've gathered my thoughts
The artist did not have adequate time to think before the following event occurred.
I turned around and I saw the cops
The artist noticed police officers behind him.
Oh boy did my heart sure drop when
The singer felt very anxious upon encountering the police officers.
He told me I better stop
One of the police officers instructed the artist to stop moving.
Oh, they put my hands in cuffs
The police shackled the singer's wrists with handcuffs.
Oh boy, they even locked me up
The police not only handcuffed the singer, but also took him into custody.
When I thought that it was all
Later, when the singer thought everything was resolved,
Till they started taking all my stuff
The police began confiscating the artist's possessions.
Now I'm sittin' 'round in my cell
Currently, the artist is situated within a jail cell.
Just a looking at the wall
The singer is gazing at the wall inside his cell.
I didn't even get to make
The singer's opportunities were so constrained that he was not permitted to undertake certain activities.
My one phone call
The artist was not given the chance to make a single phone call while incarcerated.
After I was just sittin' 'round
Subsequent to his extended confinement,
You know I started getting down
The artist's psychological state began to deteriorate.
When they let me out
Upon his release from custody,
All I could do is scream and shout
The artist's emotional reaction was to yell and become agitated.
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Emily Kantor
I don't know what's wrong with that audience. When this man plays and sings, I gotta move!!
Scott Lynch
I was just thinking the same thing lol. I would hate to be crammed in up against the stage. I need like 15 feet of space to go buck wild
Ryan Baynes
This performance deserves a better crowd - this man is a virtuoso !! 🎶
theSHARK
I have never heard anyone sound eerily similar to Chuck Berry quite like this. RIP Chuck, long live rock 'n' roll.
Shirley Muhleisen
Crowd stunned by real rock&roll. I’d be dancing like a fool👏👏😎🕺
Random Guy
Soooo reminds me of THE Chuck Berry. Glad music like this is still being played. He is great performer!!!!!
Leroy Who
Absolutely cooking! What a brilliant live performance.
Fred Wedlock
Gary Clark Junior we salute you, brilliant stuff 👍
geoff curtis
Gary Clark Jr keeping this brilliant music alive.
Jeff Cochran
Amen brother!