The Resonating Wisdom of Gary Clark Jr.: 20 Insightful Quotes

The blues music scene radiates with renewed vigor thanks to artists like Gary Clark Jr., the 39-year-old musician hailing from Austin, Texas. With a commanding vocal presence and a deft touch on the guitar that effortlessly captures both hope and heartache, Clark Jr. is a modern torchbearer of the blues tradition.

Beyond the Music: The Philosophy of Gary Clark Jr.

Aside from mesmerizing audiences with his melodic prowess, Gary Clark Jr. contributes an array of thoughts on various subjects through his spoken words. These reflections reveal his perspective on life, his approach to his craft, and wider societal issues. Delve into the mind of this influential bluesman as we explore 20 of his most poignant quotes.

20 Quotes by Gary Clark Jr. That Mirror His Artistic Journey

1. "My mom always told me I should have a Plan B. I said that if I'm not going to play guitar I'm going to play drums. And if I'm not going to play drums, I'm going to play bass. I always just wanted to play music. I was completely obsessed."

2. "When I got my first guitar, I played along with everything I heard that had guitar in it, like the Ramones, Nirvana and Sublime, as well as whatever hip-hop and R&B stuff was on the radio."

3. "The guys in my band buy instruments and sell and trade them. But if I have something I hang onto it. Everything is sentimental to me."

4. "Most of my songs start out as being very aggressive and guitar-driven."

5. "I've been called 'musically schizophrenic,' and some people think that's a cool thing."

6. "For a black male, the sound of the blues is pre-Civil Rights. It's oppression."

7. "There's so much music in Austin, and it's all so different."

8. "When I was growing up, I would go hang out with older guys at night in blues clubs."

9. "I know that I'm capable of moving around on the guitar. I can express myself the way I want to and feel good about it. But as far as technical chops, I'm not a learned musician."

10. "I never expected to be approached for an ad campaign."

11. "There's nothing like a music festival. People are ready to have a good time. I don't think anyone comes to a festival going, 'I'm gonna be a complete bummer today.'"

12. "I'm somewhat of a hoarder. I keep everything."

13. "You know, I've never done karaoke, ever. It makes me nervous—I think it's the lack of the guitar and just a microphone."

14. "I'm obsessed with fuzz pedals."

15. "You could say I'm a laid-back kind of guy."

16. "I failed public speaking in grade school, 'cause I was so nervous and scared."

17. "The blues is the foundation for a lot of things. Things have branched off. It's cool how music grows, but the foundation is always there. It's not going anywhere."

18. "I don't think anything can touch the expressive range of the guitar."

19. "The blues is always going to be relevant."

20. "I am the type of artist where you can't tell me anything. I have always been that way. I am right. I don't need any input."

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