BLUES FOR STEVIE: Eric Clapton, B.B. King,...

BLUES FOR STEVIE: Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Bonnie Raitt, Buddy Guy, Jimmie Vaughan and Robert Cray--all of whom played the 1990 music festival in Wisconsin that was Stevie Ray Vaughan’s final appearance--reunited recently for a tribute to the guitarist, who died in a helicopter crash while leaving the event.

The musicians gathered at the “Austin City Limits” studio in Vaughan’s hometown, taking turns on Vaughan songs for a planned CD and video and possible TV special. The taping took place before a small audience that included Vaughan’s mother, Martha, and former Texas Gov. Ann Richards.

“There’s a severe shortage of guitar players around the rest of the world tonight,” said “Austin City Limits” producer Terry Lickona before introducing Vaughan’s older brother Jimmie, who emceed and played rhythm guitar.

Clapton took time out to pay his verbal respects before launching into Stevie Ray’s lamenting “Empty Arms.”

“I didn’t get to meet or see [Stevie] much, but every time I did I got chills,” the English guitarist said. “I knew I was in the presence of greatness.”