The great bluesman, musician and entertainer Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown was raised here in Orange. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery off Simmons Drive following his death in 2005. He was actually living near New Orleans but lost his home after Hurricane Katrina and came here to live with family to escape the storm. He was 81 when he passed.
His grave was marked with a beautiful and unique headstone that was shaped like a guitar. People from all over have come by his grave to pay their respects. Over time people left trinkets and even jars of grape jelly because he loved it on everything. But it was damaged in a storm, professionally repaired, and then damaged again, this time beyond repair.
Fan and friend, Stephen “Doc” Watson has started a fund to have a new headstone made. “I’ve talked with his daughter Renee and received her blessing,” he said. “This one will be sturdier than the one that was there and it will still feature the quote that was on the original.”
That quote from Gatemouth reads, “I won’t limit myself to one type of music. There’s a lot of universe out there, and what is the universe?—Music!”
The fundraiser is on a site called GiveSendGo.com and the amount needed is $5000. The link to the site is here.
Watson, a guitar player himself, calls Brown a “Musical Godfather.” “I remember the first time I saw him. It was in the late 70’s at a place in Beaumont called ‘Momma’s Worry’ on Railroad Ave. He knocked my socks off with his unique guitar style. He was such an entertainer.”
“We became friends. I even roadied for him some on the road. He would come by my house when he was in town and he would call from the road just to talk.”
There is also a historical marker by his gravesite. Brown played six instruments. He’s been inducted in several Hall’s of Fame. Has had roads named after him. Won a Grammy. Toured the world (even traveled with Roy Clark to play in Russia). Just in case you’re not familiar with his work. By all means, check out his music on your favorite streaming device.
Orange claims Brown as one of its own and now here’s a chance for those of us who enjoy his music to give back.
-Gary Stelly, KOGT-
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