Watch Gary Clark Jr. Bring Funky Stevie Wonder Co-Write ‘What About The Children’ To ‘Austin City Limits’ Stage

Austin City Limits’ milestone 50th season continues with an hour featuring Acclaimed Austin acts Gary Clark Jr. and Black Pumas premiering tomorrow, Saturday, October 5 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on PBS (check local listings). Four-time Grammy-winning guitarist Gary Clark Jr. focused on material from his excellent new album, JPEG RAW, for his fourth headlining appearance on the show, including a sensational performance of “What About The Children.”

The long-running live music television program holds a special place in Gary Clark Jr.’s heart. The hometown axe-slinger and songwriter looked back fondly at watching old Austin City Limits episodes to see some of his heroes — like Stevie Ray Vaughan — perform. Clark Jr. made his ACL debut in 2013.

Gary Clark Jr. wrote “What About The Children” with musical icon Stevie Wonder. The pair dueted on the song for the version featured on JPEG RAW. On Austin City Limits, Clark Jr. turned the groovy number into a family affair as his three sisters joined him on backing vocals.

The guitarist channeled Prince on “What About The Children” with his falsetto vocals. Gary Clark Jr.’s longtime guitarist Eric Zapata also shined on the performance as does keyboardist Jonathan Deas.

Watch the premiere of Gary Clark Jr. performing “What About The Children” on Austin City Limits below:

The Black Pumas’ latest appearance on Austin City Limits is their second one. Led by vocalist Eric Burton and guitarist Adrian Quesada, the pair and their ace six-piece band worked through a mix of cuts from their 2019 debut LP and its follow-up Chronicles Of A Diamond.

See the Black Pumas’ “More Than A Love Song” performance on ACL:

If you can’t watch the initial broadcast, the full episode can be viewed on-demand at PBS.org and through the PBS App shortly after airing.