with his brother before the storm hit. He died in Orange on September 10, 2005, at the apartment of a grandniece, at the age of 81. Brown is buried in the Hollywood Cemetery in Orange. Flooding caused by Hurricane Ike in September 2008 damaged his grave. His grave has since been refurbished and through the estate funds, a headstone has been erected in his honor. A marker honoring Brown was placed by the Texas Historical Commission next to the flagpole at Hollywood Cemetery. Musical style and influences Known for his work as a blues musician, Brown spent his career fighting purism by synthesizing traditional blues and country, jazz, Cajun music and rhythm and blues. Brown was acclaimed for his skills on multiple instruments, including the guitar, mandolin, viola, violin, harmonica and drums. He is regarded as one of the most influential exponents of the blues fiddle and has had enormous influence in American fiddle circles. Brown's biggest musical influences were Louis Jordan, T-Bone Walker, and Count Basie. His highly original electric guitar style influenced many blues and rock guitarists, including Guitar Slim, Albert Collins, and Johnny "Guitar" Watson. Composer Frank Zappa, in his autobiography, The Real Frank Zappa Book (1989), credited Brown, along with Guitar Slim and Johnny "Guitar" Watson, as important influences on his guitar playing. Discography Original albums Compilations and bootlegs Other contributions 1976 Grey's Mood (with Al Grey) rec. 1973–1975 (Black & Blue 33.085; Classic Jazz CJ-118; CD reissue: Black & Blue BB-912.2) 2003 Johnny's Blues: A Tribute to Johnny Cash (NorthernBlues) Brown sings Johnny Cash's 1956 rockabilly song "Get Rhythm" with Benjy Davis See also List of blues musicians List of fiddlers List of Gibson players Music of Texas References External links W.C. Handy Blues Awards on National Public Radio Talk of the Nation 'Gatemouth' Brown Plays Through Cancer, Years on National Public Radio All Things Considered Remembrances: 'Gatemouth' Brown's Blues Voice Goes Quiet on National Public Radio All Things Considered Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown Discography Video Interview with Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown, Loyola University, New Orleans 1924 births 2005 deaths 20th-century African-American male singers 20th-century American guitarists 20th-century American violinists People from Vinton, Louisiana African-American country musicians African-American guitarists African Americans in World War II African-American songwriters Alligator Records artists American blues drummers American blues harmonica players American blues guitarists American blues mandolinists American blues violists American country fiddlers American country singer-songwriters American folk musicians American male