HR25 - In memory of musician W. C. Clark of Austin.

      H.R. No. 25       R E S O L U T I O N          WHEREAS, Austin blues icon W. C. Clark passed away on   March 2, 2024, at the age of 84, bringing a great loss to his   family, his friends, and his many fans; and          WHEREAS, The son of Ida Mae Shelby and Curley B. Clark,   Wesley Curley Clark was born in Austin on November 16, 1939; when   his mother remarried, he gained a second father, Shedric Monk   Shelby, and he grew up with 11 siblings; he was only 12 when he began   playing guitar for a gospel quartet, and at 16, he made his debut on   the East Side blues scene; after playing with many of its stalwarts,   including T. D. Bell and Blues Boy Hubbard, he was discovered by Joe   Tex and joined the soul star's touring band; and          WHEREAS, Returning to Austin in the 1970s, Mr. Clark became a   pillar of a vibrant music scene on the west side; a gifted bassist   and vocalist as well as guitar slinger, he formed the Triple Threat   Revue with Lou Ann Barton and Stevie Ray Vaughan; he also influenced   and mentored such artists as Jimmie Vaughan, Angela Strehli, and   Charlie and Will Sexton, earning the nickname "the Godfather of   Austin blues"; in the 1980s, he launched the W. C. Clark Blues   Revue, which he would lead for nearly four decades; along the way,   he supplemented his income as an auto mechanic and carpenter;   although he cowrote "Cold Shot," which became an enormous hit for   Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble, Mr. Clark first rose to   national prominence himself with an all-star Austin City Limits     show celebrating his 50th birthday; a few years later, he signed   with Blacktop Records and released a series of acclaimed albums,   among them From Austin with Soul , on the Alligator label; he   garnered numerous accolades, most notably prestigious W. C. Handy   Blues Awards in several categories; he won various Austin Music   Awards as well, and he was inducted into the Austin Music Hall of   Fame; his fans loved his warmth, kindness, and sense of humor, as   well as his musical gifts, and he continued to play for them   throughout his lifetime; in his last years, he held a popular weekly   residency at Giddy Ups in South Austin; and          WHEREAS, Mr. Clark was the father of a son, Carl, who died in   2013, and a daughter, Brittany; he eventually became a grandfather   and great-grandfather, and he shared enduring friendships with his   former wives, Helen Clark and Kathy Wells; devoted to his large   extended family and many friends, he was always ready to lend them a   helping hand; he was deeply spiritual and a lifelong member of   St. John's College Heights Missionary Baptist Church; and          WHEREAS, W. C. Clark left an indelible imprint on Texas   music, and he will forever hold a treasured place in the hearts of   all who were fortunate enough to know him; now, therefore, be it          RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 89th Texas   Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of W. C. Clark and extend   sincere condolences to his family, his friends, and all who mourn   his passing; and, be it further          RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be   prepared for his family and that when the Texas House of   Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of W. C.   Clark.     Cole     ______________________________   Speaker of the House                 I certify that H.R. No. 25 was unanimously adopted by a rising   vote of the House on March 6, 2025.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House