Photo by Frank Maddocks
“Travis County” – one of the standout tracks from singer, songwriter, and guitarist Gary Clark Jr.‘s upcoming live album, simply titled, Gary Clark Jr. Live, has been selected as the theme song for the upcoming season of PBS’ beloved live performance show Austin City Limits, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. A customized version of “Travis Count,” (a suburb of Austin) will serve as the opening music to the PBS special, Austin City Limits Celebrates 40 Years, which airs on October 3rd, as well as at the beginning of every episode that airs during the 40th season, which premieres the following night, October 4th.
Considered an American institution, Austin City Limits presents legendary as well as emerging talent in a live performance setting and is one of the most enduring live music shows in TV history. Everyone who is anyone in rock & country music has performed on the show including Clark.
Gary Clark Jr. and band can be seen performing “Travis County,” live in the acclaimed May 2014 movie, “Chef,” written, directed and starring Jon Favreau along with Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson.
On September 23rd, Warner Bros. Records will release Clark’s two-disc live album digitally as well as on CD and double vinyl. The blistering performances found on Gary Clark Jr. Live span his gigs at clubs, theatres, arenas, and festivals from the past 18 months of non-stop touring. Each track was captured as purely and spontaneously as you hear them presented here, just as they were performed on the night with absolutely no overdubs whatsoever. There is an inherent magic that occurs when Gary and his band take the stage each night, and is unlike anything you’ll experience with any other band. They do not use set lists as they prefer to be guided by the emotional power that flows from the audience and the vibe of the room as a living, breathing entity, living in the moment and reacting to the energy that greets them. It is an organic, spontaneous, almost spiritual or mystic process.
In other news, Gary Clark Jr. will join the lineup for this year’s annual Farm Aid Food and Music Festival on Sept. 13th, at Walnut Creek Amphitheatre in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Gary Clark Jr., Todd Snider, and the Raelyn Nelson Band join the already star-studded Farm Aid 2014 lineup, which features Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews – with Tim Reynolds – as well as Jack White, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jamey Johnson, North Carolina’s own Delta Rae, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Carlene Carter, Pegi Young & The Survivors, and Insects vs Robots.
“Over the past 29 years, hundreds of artists have stood with family farmers and electrified Farm Aid audiences,” said Farm Aid Executive Director Carolyn Mugar. “Farm Aid is proud to welcome these talented performers to our stage for the first time.”
Tickets for Farm Aid 2014 are available at www.livenation.com, the Walnut Creek Amphitheatre box office, all Ticketmaster outlets or by phone at 800-745-3000.There are a limited number of tickets available.
The all-day music and food festival offers concert-goers family farm-identified, local and organic foods with its own HOMEGROWN Concessions® and hands-on activities in Farm Aid’s HOMEGROWN Village.
Farm Aid is partnering with eBay and Auction Cause to offer concertgoers a chance to bid on premier concert experiences and autographed memorabilia beginning this Thursday, Aug. 14. For more information, go to http://is.gd/farmaid. Farm Aid is also teaming up with If Only to offer unique VIP Packages as well as autographed Gibson guitars to benefit Farm Aid. For more information, go to www.ifonly.com.
Concertgoers can enhance their Farm Aid experience with the official Farm Aid 2014 mobile app, which will be available in mid-August for iPhone and Android.
For concert updates, follow Farm Aid on Twitter (@farmaid) and on Facebook (www.facebook.com/farmaid), and visit www.farmaid.org/concert.
