Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown was born in Vinton, Louisiana, and raised in Orange, Texas. His father was a musician, and by age five Brown had learned to play the fiddle; by ten, he was performing on guitar. As a teenager, he played drums in local swing bands, where his deep voice earned him the nickname “Gatemouth.” After serving in World War II, Brown signed with Peacock Records. Label owner Don Robey founded Peacock specifically to record Brown and capitalize on his rising talent. His first single for the label, “Mary Is Fine,” reached No. 8 on the R&B charts in 1949. Soon afterward, Brown was tapped to front a 23-piece orchestra that toured across the South. During his years with Peacock, he recorded several enduring classics, including “Okie Dokie Stomp,” “Ain’t That Dandy,” “Boogie Rambler,” “Depression Blues,” and “Dirty Work at the Crossroads.”

​

Although the 1960s were a challenging period for him commercially, Brown revived his career in the 1970s, showcasing the remarkable musical versatility that would define his later life. Known for mastering an impressive range of instruments, he played guitar, violin, electric fiddle, bass, harmonica, mandolin, and viola. Brown toured extensively across the United States, throughout Europe, and around the world, often serving as a music ambassador for the U.S. State Department. His 1982 album Alright Again! won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album, and over the course of his career he earned eight W.C. Handy Awards. He was also honored with the Rhythm and Blues Foundation’s Pioneer Award in 1997 and inducted into the Blues Foundation Hall of Fame in 1999. His later recordings included Pressure Cooker (1986) and Real Life (1986).

​

Brown lived for many years in Slidell, Louisiana, but after being displaced by Hurricane Katrina, he returned to his former hometown of Orange, Texas. He passed away at his brother’s home on September 10, 2005, and was laid to rest at Hollywood Cemetery in Orange. A historical marker was erected near his gravesite in 2012. It reads:

​

Well-known for his expertise on the guitar and his multi-genre music, Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown had a recording career that spanned more than 50 years. Born in Vinton, Louisiana, he and his family moved to Orange when he was an infant. Here, Brown was shaped by a mix of Texan and Cajun cultures. He learned from his musician father and became known for his guitar and fiddle playing, as well as his deep singing voice; he also played the drums, violin, mandolin, and harmonica. Brown’s music reflected African American folk traditions of the Southwest.

​

Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown is enshrined in the Museum of the Gulf Coast Music Hall of Fame, where his legacy as one of America’s most versatile and genre-defying musicians is preserved.