W.C. Clark ► The Godfather of Austin Blues

Before Austin became globally renowned as a blues mecca, W.C. Clark was laying the foundation. A master guitarist, soulful vocalist, and generous mentor, Clark served as the essential bridge between Austin’s historic Eastside African American blues community and the downtown club scene that exploded in the 1970s and 80s. Without Clark’s guidance, key figures like…

Townes Van Zandt

The Poet Laureate of Texas Songwriting While electric blues bands and rowdy cosmic cowboys pumped volume into Austin’s emerging nightlife, Townes Van Zandt provided its beating, melancholy poetic heart. Though born in Fort Worth, Van Zandt’s haunting acoustic masterpieces, nomadic spirit, and deep integration into Austin’s listening-room culture made him an immortal figure in the…