1-1 1 1-2 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 514 1-3 WHEREAS, The Senate of the State of Texas takes pride in 1-4 recognizing Wesley Curley "W. C." Clark and in welcoming this 1-5 Austin Blues Legend back to the stage; and 1-6 WHEREAS, A highly popular Austin Blues singer and guitar 1-7 player, W. C. Clark is returning to the Top of the Marc on Friday, 1-8 April 18, 1997, after having recovered from an automobile accident 1-9 three months ago; he will resume playing his Top of the Marc gig 1-10 every Tuesday night beginning April 22; and 1-11 WHEREAS, Possessing a wealth of talent, W. C. Clark has been 1-12 compared to such greats as Sam Cooke, Al Green, B. B. King, and 1-13 Nat King Cole; affectionately called "The Godfather of Austin 1-14 Blues," W. C. Clark was born and raised in Austin and was inspired 1-15 by his guitar-playing father and his mother and grandmother, who 1-16 sang in the church choir; and 1-17 WHEREAS, W. C. Clark established himself in the musical world 1-18 in Texas during the 1950s and 1960s when the East Austin club scene 1-19 began to prosper; he played at the popular Charlie's Playhouse for 1-20 six years and then took to the road with the Joe Tex Band; and 1-21 WHEREAS, In the early 1970s, W. C. Clark formed the band 1-22 Southern Feeling with singer Angela Strehli and guitarist/pianist 1-23 Denny Freeman and began focusing on his songwriting talents; he 2-1 later joined Stevie Ray Vaughan, Mike Kindred, Freddie Pharoah, and 2-2 Lou Ann Barton in the Triple Threat Revue, during which time he 2-3 cowrote "Cold Shot," one of Mr. Vaughan's biggest hits; and 2-4 WHEREAS, In the late 1970s, W. C. Clark formed the 2-5 W. C. Clark Blues Revue, and the band became a fixture at 2-6 Austin's best-known blues club, Antone's, and played with soul 2-7 greats such as B. B. King, James Brown, and Bobby "Blue" Bland; and 2-8 WHEREAS, Mr. Clark's first recording was "Something for 2-9 Everybody," and his album, "Heart of Gold," which he signed with 2-10 Black Top Records in 1994, gained him national recognition and 2-11 acclaim; and 2-12 WHEREAS, W. C. Clark's masterful second album, "Texas Soul," 2-13 is a delicate balance between soul, blues, and rhythm and blues; 2-14 the album features such songs as "I Only Have Love For You," "I 2-15 Want To Keep You," and "Reminiscing," as well as Johnny Taylor's 2-16 classic "That's Where It's At"; the album reflects on the emotional 2-17 consequences of love, and W. C. Clark delivers his songs with 2-18 eloquence and graceful guitar lines; and 2-19 WHEREAS, A living legend in the Austin Blues scene, 2-20 W. C. Clark is beloved by music enthusiasts across the country, 2-21 and this distinguished gentleman deserves accolades for his unique 2-22 contributions to the Austin community and to the world of blues 2-23 music; now, therefore, be it 2-24 RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 2-25 75th Legislature, hereby commend Wesley Curley "W. C." Clark on 3-1 his outstanding talent and career and extend a warm and joyous 3-2 welcome to him on his return to the stage; and, be it further 3-3 RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared for 3-4 W. C. Clark as an expression of esteem from the Texas Senate. 3-5 Barrientos 3-6 ______________________________________ 3-7 President of the Senate 3-8 I hereby certify that the above 3-9 Resolution was adopted by the Senate 3-10 on April 16, 1997. 3-11 ______________________________________ 3-12 Secretary of the Senate 3-13 ______________________________________ 3-14 Member, Texas Senate