Mary Had a Little Lamb

The Zoo Crew is spinning the bluesy riffs of Mary Had a Little Lamb by Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble from their iconic album Texas Flood, and the Zoo Freaks are loving every soulful note. This track, a cover of the Buddy Guy classic, showcases Vaughan's electrifying guitar prowess and his ability to infuse a traditional blues song with his own fiery style. One piece of trivia that stands out is how Vaughan recorded this song in just a few takes during the Texas Flood sessions in 1982 at Jackson Browne’s studio in Los Angeles. According to engineer Richard Mullen, Vaughan’s use of a single Ibanez Tube Screamer pedal and two Fender Vibroverb amps created the song’s distinctive, gritty tone, a setup that became part of his signature sound. The song’s playful yet intense delivery also reflects Vaughan’s knack for blending humor with technical mastery, making it a fan favorite during live performances.

Another interesting tidbit comes from a 2019 biography, Texas Flood, by Alan Paul and Andy Aledort, which details how Vaughan’s live rendition of Mary Had a Little Lamb at the El Mocambo in 1983 was a defining moment. The performance, captured on video, showed Vaughan’s raw energy and connection with the audience, with his heavy-gauge strings—13 or 14 gauge, as noted by fans on Reddit—allowing for powerful bends and vibrato that left listeners in awe. Social media posts on X from fans, like one from @megav0lt in April 2025, highlight the song’s enduring appeal, calling it a staple of “Blues Thursday” playlists. The track’s inclusion in various albums, including Live at Montreux 1982 & 1985, underscores its importance in Vaughan’s catalog, with fans on the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fan Club Facebook group often sharing memories of hearing it live.

Stevie Ray Vaughan, born on October 3, 1954, in Dallas, Texas, got his start in music at a young age, inspired by his older brother, Jimmie Vaughan. By age seven, he was already strumming a guitar, teaching himself by ear and mimicking the blues and rock records he loved, from Albert King to Jimi Hendrix. After dropping out of high school in 1972, Vaughan moved to Austin, where he immersed himself in the vibrant local music scene. He played in various bands, including the Cobras and Triple Threat, before forming Double Trouble in 1978 with drummer Chris Layton and bassist Tommy Shannon. Their big break came in 1982 when a performance at the Montreux Jazz Festival caught the attention of David Bowie and Jackson Browne, leading to Vaughan’s contribution to Bowie’s Let’s Dance album and a record deal with Epic Records. The release of Texas Flood in 1983, featuring Mary Had a Little Lamb, catapulted them to fame, cementing Vaughan’s legacy as a blues revivalist.

Fans can dive deeper into Stevie Ray Vaughan’s world through his official website, which offers discography details and merchandise. His Facebook page remains active with tributes and updates, while the Instagram account shares vintage photos and performance clips. On X, the @SRVlegacy account keeps the conversation alive with posts about his music and influence. For community engagement, the Stevie Ray Vaughan Fan Club on Facebook is a hub for Zoo Freaks and other devotees to share stories and rare recordings. Fan sites like SRV Archive provide detailed timelines and gear breakdowns, perfect for those wanting to geek out over Vaughan’s techniques and legacy.