Gary Clark Jr. Added to Perform Stevie Ray Vaughan Tribute at the CMT Music Awards
Austin blues superstar joins the CBS broadcast this Sunday
By Rachel Rascoe, 8:00AM, Fri. Mar. 31, 2023
Earlier this week, the CMT Music Awards announced the addition of rising Austin talent Jackie Venson to the Sunday televised performance.
The awards show’s first year at the local Moody Center, following decades in Nashville, stacks another week-of addition from the Austin blues talent pool. Exclusively announced here, Antone’s-grown superstar Gary Clark Jr. will perform a tribute to the late Texas musical giant Stevie Ray Vaughan. The update finalizes the lengthy lineup of performers like Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban included this Sunday, April 2.
In a 2012 profile around his full-length major label debut, Blak and Blu, the Chronicle called Clark Jr. “the latest car on that Texas blues train going from Blind Lemon Jefferson to T-Bone Walker to Lightnin' Hopkins to Freddy King, and continuing through Albert Collins, Johnny Copeland, Gatemouth Brown, Stevie Ray and Jimmie Vaughan.” Last heard on 2019 studio album This Land, Clark Jr. was also recently announced to participate in an Eric Clapton-led tribute to Jeff Beck at London’s Royal Albert Hall this May.
The mix of pre-taped and live CMT Music Awards performances air live on CBS, and on demand on Paramount, from 7-10pm on Sunday. Austinites can also purchase still-available tickets to attend in person, starting around $130. Find the full list of announced CMT Music Awards performers here.
This week also offers a number of free opportunities for locals. On this Eventbrite page, Austin fans can RSVP to attend outdoor tapings with the Black Crowes and Darius Rucker on Friday, March 31 and Nate Smith, Jackson Dean, Lily Rose, Megan Moroney, and more on Saturday, April 1.
With no pre-registration required, the CMT Block Party takes place on Saturday, April 1 and Sunday, April 2 from noon-4pm at Congress Ave. & W. 9th St. Hosted by CBS Austin’s Trevor Scott, the party includes “live music, artist meet-and-greets, free swag, games, and multiple chances to win tickets” to the award show. Saturday includes all-day spinning by DJ Cassandra and performances by Hannah Ellis, Matt Koziol, and William Clark Green.
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Raoul Hernandez, Feb. 12, 2019
May 26, 2023
May 26, 2023
Gary Clark Jr., Stevie Ray Vaughan, CMT Music Awards
